Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 66 GWT; Ch. 67 NLV; Ch. 68 GWT

Podcast Introduction

It’s Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 66-68. I’m calling this episode “Essentials.”

Design: Jason Paschall | Photo: Midjourney

Comments on Psalm 66

This psalm opens with a call to all the earth to praise God because of His awesome (in the truest sense of the word...awe-inspiring) deeds. It even gives a sample of what should be said to God: “How awe-inspiring are your deeds! Your power is so great that your enemies will cringe in front of you. The whole earth will worship you. It will make music to praise you. It will make music to praise your name.”

All of this is true, of course. God is worthy of the praise of the whole world. Most of this psalm gives various reasons to give him worship, and one can't help but say "Yes!" and "Amen!" as we read them.

But the last five verses are a bit different: 

16Come and listen, all who fear God,

and I will tell you what he has done for me.

17With my mouth I cried out to him.

High praise was on my tongue.

18If I had thought about doing anything sinful,

the Lord would not have listened ⌞to me⌟.

19But God has heard me.

He has paid attention to my prayer.

20Thanks be to God,

who has not rejected my prayer

or taken away his mercy from me.

Psalm 66: 16-20 God's Word Translation

The psalmist said, "If I had thought about doing anything sinful, the Lord would not have listened ⌞to me⌟."

And he was right. Have you ever thought about the fact that God is not obligated to listen to every prayer?

Proverbs 28:9 says, "He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination." Job, when speaking of the wicked says in Job 27:9, "Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him?" Sometimes God will listen to the prayer of an unbeliever, if the prayer is in alignment with His will. There are many examples of this in the Bible. But an unbeliever should have no expectation that God will hear them.

But for Christians, listen to Hebrews 4:14-16: "14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." 

And there are many other promises for believers concerning prayers.

It is because of God's great mercy and grace that He invites us to come to Him. Yes, let us come to Him in confidence, but also with reverence and awe, knowing that Jesus paid a tremendous price to bring that mercy and grace to us. 

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Transcript

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Steve Webb 0:00When you reject the essentials, you cannot honestly still be a Christian.

Steve Webb 0:13Hi there, this is the Lifespring! One Year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I'm your OG Godcaster. Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we're reading through the entire Bible in a year. How are you? It's Psalms Wednesday, and we'll read chapters 66 through 68. Before reading each chapter, I'll give you a short introduction. I'm calling this episode essentials. Being Wednesday, we'll have a time for prayer requests, and I have a new segment on today's show as well. The title of today's show is a hint. Let's get started with a prayer. Our heavenly Father, how are we thank you for this time. I thank You, Lord, for the Psalms.