Let All the Peoples Praise Him!
The psalmist in Psalm 66 calls not only Israel to praise the one true God, but all the peoples of the earth. This is a thanksgiving psalm giving public praise to Almighty God for His works on behalf of His people.
The psalmist begins by calling all the earth to shout joyfully to God and ascribe to Him the glory that is due Him because of His mighty works (1-3). God’s mighty deeds strike fear into the hearts of mankind; and in the future the peoples of the earth will submit, though not wholeheartedly (66:3). They will again rebel against the Lord Jesus Christ (Ps 2; Rev 20:7-9). True believers from every tribe, tongue, and nations will worship the Lord (66:4). God is sovereign over the nations of the earth and will not allow them to destroy His people or thwart His purposes (66:5-7).
The world should exalt God for His faithfulness to Israel (66:8-12). God has demonstrated His love and faithfulness to Israel by their continued existence (66:8). Even, the hardened, disobedient, secular Israel that exists today is still proof of God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham. The psalmist says that God has disciplined His people to test and strengthen their faith (66:10-12). How encouraging it is to know that God’s promises are irrevocable (Rom 11:29).
The psalmist says that he will lead others to praise God because of God’s faithfulness in answering the prayers of His people (66:13-20). He calls all God fearing people to listen to the lovingkindness of God and praise Him for it (66:16). Praise the Lord over all, Jesus Christ!