When Grace Has the Final Word

Reflections on Psalm 66:16–20

Introduction:

Psalm 66 is a song of praise that rises from memory and matures into testimony. It begins with a universal invitation to worship and gradually narrows in scope—zooming from cosmic praise to personal reflection. By verses 16–20, the psalmist speaks from the depth of his own soul, giving voice to a quiet but profound truth: God hears. God responds. God redeems.

In a world where experiences are often curated and filtered, this passage reminds us of the power of raw, honest testimony. It is not perfection that God desires but sincerity. And it is not polished theology that changes lives—it is stories of what God has done for us, offered humbly and boldly to those who will listen.

Psalm 66:16 – “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.”

This is the heart cry of someone whose life has been touched by grace. The psalmist doesn’t merely want to reflect in private; he calls others to gather and listen. His words are personal but not possessive—his experience with God becomes an invitation for others to be encouraged and drawn in.

Brueggemann notes, “This is the language of testimony—faith becomes contagious through storytelling.” The psalmist is not preaching from a mountaintop but sharing from a lived moment. Psalm 34:11 mirrors this tone: “Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”

Spurgeon, ever pastoral, writes, “Private experience becomes public encouragement.” Our stories of God’s goodness, especially in hardship, are not meant to be sealed away. They are treasures for the community. In telling what God has done for our souls, we multiply hope.

Psalm 66:17–18 – “I cried to him… If I had cherished sin… the Lord would not have listened.”

Here, the psalmist speaks honestly about the condition of his heart. His cry to God was not casual—it was born from depth, and it was honest. He acknowledges a sobering reality: cherished sin—willfully held onto—hinders the flow of prayer.

Isaiah 59:2 reminds us, “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God.” Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Donald Coggan states it plainly: “True prayer is honest and repentant—it begins with clean hands and a pure heart.” We cannot approach a holy God with a divided heart. Eugene Peterson adds, “Prayer can’t coexist with duplicity.” Our lips cannot speak praise while our hearts cling to rebellion.

But this is not about perfection—it’s about confession. God is not waiting for flawless people. He is waiting for truthful hearts.

Psalm 66:19–20 – “But truly God has listened… Blessed be God…”

And here is the turning point. Despite human frailty and the danger of sin, “God has listened.” The psalm doesn’t end with judgment but with joy. Grace, as Brueggemann says, “has the final word.”

The psalmist marvels—not only at God’s mercy but at the fact that God didn’t withdraw it. Spurgeon captures it beautifully: “God’s mercy is not only extended, but not withdrawn.” The assurance is clear—when our prayers are sincere, God listens.

1 John 5:14 gives us similar confidence: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” The psalmist’s story ends not with guilt but with glory. He blesses God for steadfast love and attentive grace.

Application: The Power of a Told Story

We all have stories—stories of struggle, failure, redemption, and grace. Too often we keep them to ourselves, unsure if others want to hear them or if they matter. But Psalm 66 tells us: They do.

When we speak honestly about our past and God’s intervention, we give others permission to do the same. We model repentance. We celebrate grace. We become living witnesses that prayer works, that God listens, and that mercy wins.

So today, ask yourself:

• What has God done for my soul?
  
  
• Who might need to hear it?
  
  
• Have I allowed cherished sin to block the flow of honest prayer?
  
  
• Am I living in response to the truth that God has listened?
  
  

Let’s not be silent about our salvation. Let’s tell the story—again and again.

Conclusion:

Psalm 66 ends with a personal testimony that echoes across generations: God has heard me. He has not rejected my prayer. His steadfast love endures. This is not a distant theology—it is intimate, experiential, and true.

We are invited to make that same confession. To turn our cries into praise. To turn our past into testimony. And to let our lives be a living song that proclaims: Blessed be God.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for hearing me when I cry out to You. Keep my heart clean, my words true, and my life open to share what You have done for my soul. Let my story be a witness to Your mercy.

Amen.