Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld from me His loving devotion! Blessed be GodThe phrase "Blessed be God" is a declaration of praise and adoration. The Hebrew word for "blessed" is "barak," which means to kneel or to bless. This expression is a call to acknowledge God's supreme holiness and goodness. In the context of ancient Israel, blessing God was an integral part of worship, reflecting a heart full of gratitude and reverence. It is a reminder that God is the source of all blessings and worthy of continual praise. who has not rejected my prayer
The word "rejected" comes from the Hebrew "ma'as," meaning to despise or refuse. This phrase reassures believers that God is attentive to their prayers. In the historical context of the Psalms, prayer was a vital means of communication with God, and the assurance that God does not reject prayer is a profound comfort. It reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God is faithful to hear and respond to the cries of His children. or withheld His loving devotion from me
"Loving devotion" is translated from the Hebrew word "chesed," which encompasses love, kindness, mercy, and faithfulness. This term is central to understanding God's character in the Old Testament. It signifies a steadfast, covenantal love that God extends to His people. The phrase assures believers that God's love is unwavering and abundant. Historically, this reflects the enduring relationship God maintained with Israel, despite their frequent unfaithfulness. It is a testament to God's grace and mercy, which are not contingent on human actions but are rooted in His divine nature. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe central figure in this verse, God is praised for His faithfulness and loving devotion. The psalmist acknowledges God's active role in hearing and responding to prayer. 2. PsalmistThe author of the psalm, traditionally attributed to David, who expresses gratitude for God's attentiveness and mercy. 3. PrayerThe act of communication with God, which is central to the psalmist's relationship with Him. The psalmist's prayer is heard and not rejected by God. 4. Loving Devotion (Hebrew: "chesed")This term refers to God's steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness. It is a key attribute of God's character, often highlighted in the Old Testament. 5. RejectionThe psalmist acknowledges the possibility of God rejecting prayer, which underscores the significance of God's acceptance and response. Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in PrayerRecognize that God is always attentive to our prayers. His faithfulness is a source of comfort and assurance for believers. The Importance of GratitudeCultivate a heart of gratitude for God's loving devotion. Regularly thank God for His mercy and the answered prayers in your life. Understanding God's ChesedReflect on the depth of God's loving devotion. His "chesed" is a covenantal love that is unwavering and reliable, providing a foundation for our faith. Confidence in God's ResponseApproach God with confidence, knowing that He does not reject our sincere prayers. Trust in His wisdom and timing in answering. Living in Response to God's LoveLet God's loving devotion inspire you to live a life of devotion and obedience. Our response to His love should be reflected in our actions and relationships. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's "chesed" (loving devotion) impact your view of His character and your relationship with Him? 2. In what ways can you cultivate a more grateful heart for the prayers God has answered in your life? 3. How does the assurance that God does not reject our prayers influence your prayer life and spiritual confidence? 4. Can you identify a time when you felt God's loving devotion in a tangible way? How did that experience shape your faith journey? 5. How can you apply the principles of God's faithfulness and loving devotion in your interactions with others, reflecting His character in your daily life? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 116:1-2This passage also emphasizes God's attentiveness to prayer, highlighting the psalmist's love for the Lord because He hears and answers. Lamentations 3:22-23These verses speak of God's unfailing love and mercy, which are new every morning, reinforcing the theme of God's steadfast devotion. 1 John 5:14-15This New Testament passage assures believers that if we ask anything according to God's will, He hears us, echoing the confidence in God's response to prayer. People PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics 67, Blessed, Chief, Faith, Instruments, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, Musician, Praise, Prayer, Psalm, Rejected, Removed, Song, Steadfast, Stringed, WithheldDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 66:20 6232 rejection of God, results Psalm 66:16-20 8352 thankfulness Psalm 66:19-20 8135 knowing God, nature of Library Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3But, after that He had Made Mention of These Evils...
30. But, after that he had made mention of these evils, he added and said, "On account of which cometh the wrath of God on the sons of unbelief." [1923] Surely it was a wholesome alarm that believers might not think that they could be saved on account of their faith alone, even although they should live in these evils: the Apostle James with most clear speech crying out against that notion, and saying, "If any say that he have faith, and have not works, shall his faith be able to save him?" [1924] …
St. Augustine—On Continence The History of the Psalter
[Sidenote: Nature of the Psalter] Corresponding to the book of Proverbs, itself a select library containing Israel's best gnomic literature, is the Psalter, the compendium of the nation's lyrical songs and hymns and prayers. It is the record of the soul experiences of the race. Its language is that of the heart, and its thoughts of common interest to worshipful humanity. It reflects almost every phase of religious feeling: penitence, doubt, remorse, confession, fear, faith, hope, adoration, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
"Sept. 30 [1869].--From Yorkshire L50.--Received also One Thousand Pounds to-day for the Lord's work in China. About this donation it is especially to be noticed, that for months it had been my earnest desire to do more than ever for Mission Work in China, and I had already taken steps to carry out this desire, when this donation of One Thousand Pounds came to hand. This precious answer to prayer for means should be a particular encouragement to all who are engaged in the Lord's work, and who may …
George Müller—Answers to Prayer In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Shewing Wherein all Saving Grace Does Summarily Consist"
The next thing that arises for consideration is, What is the nature of this Divine principle in the soul that is so entirely diverse from all that is naturally in the soul? Here I would observe,-- 1. That that saving grace that is in the hearts if the saints, that within them [which is] above nature, and entirely distinguishes 'em from all unconverted men, is radically but one -- i.e., however various its exercises are, yet it is but one in its root; 'tis one individual principle in the heart. 'Tis …
Jonathan Edwards—Treatise on Grace I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Why all Things Work for Good
1. The grand reason why all things work for good, is the near and dear interest which God has in His people. The Lord has made a covenant with them. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. xxxii. 38). By virtue of this compact, all things do, and must work, for good to them. "I am God, even thy God" (Psalm l. 7). This word, Thy God,' is the sweetest word in the Bible, it implies the best relations; and it is impossible there should be these relations between God and His people, and …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 66:20 NIVPsalm 66:20 NLTPsalm 66:20 ESVPsalm 66:20 NASBPsalm 66:20 KJV
Psalm 66:20 Commentaries
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