Psalm 66 16

Psalm 66:16 kjv

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Psalm 66:16 nkjv

Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul.

Psalm 66:16 niv

Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.

Psalm 66:16 esv

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

Psalm 66:16 nlt

Come and listen, all you who fear God,
and I will tell you what he did for me.

Psalm 66 verses

Psalm 66 16 Meaning

Psalm 66:16 is an earnest invitation from the psalmist to those who revere God to gather and hear a personal testimony. It signals a shift in the psalm from corporate praise for God's mighty acts to a focus on the psalmist's individual experience of God's redemptive work. The verse emphasizes the importance of sharing one's direct encounter with the Lord's intervention, making known what He has specifically accomplished in one's life. It underscores that personal deliverance from tribulation is a profound basis for worship and testimony, particularly among those who genuinely honor God.

Psalm 66 16 Context

Psalm 66 is a corporate psalm of thanksgiving, beginning with a universal call to praise God for His powerful and awe-inspiring works in creation and redemption (Ps 66:1-7), particularly the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their passage through the Red Sea and Jordan. This historical act serves as a foundational reason for the nation's gratitude. The psalm then transitions from corporate praise (vv. 1-12) to an individual's personal testimony and worship (vv. 13-20). Verse 16 specifically marks this transition, where the psalmist invites others to hear his own experience of God's faithfulness, reflecting a common structure in laments and thanksgiving psalms where an individual's personal cry is followed by public testimony of deliverance. The broader context of the Psalm demonstrates a deep connection between God's mighty acts for His people collectively and His specific, intimate care for the individual who trusts Him. It bridges public worship with personal devotion and accountability.

Psalm 66 16 Word analysis

• "Come" (Hebrew: Bōʼû, בֹּאוּ): An imperative, meaning to "come," "enter," or "go." It is a strong, urgent invitation for an audience to draw near, not merely a casual suggestion. It signifies an intentional gathering.

• "and hear" (Hebrew: wə-šim‘ū, וְשִׁמְעוּ): Another imperative, meaning "listen attentively," "perceive," "understand," or "obey." This is more than just hearing sounds; it implies listening with a purpose to internalize and respond to the message.

• "all you who fear God" (Hebrew: kol-yirʼê ʼĕlōhîm, כָּל־יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִים): This phrase defines the specific, intended audience. "Fear" (יָרֵא, yāreʼ) here does not primarily mean terror but profound reverence, awe, and obedience. It describes those who acknowledge God's sovereignty, worship Him, and live in accordance with His will. This group would understand and appreciate the nature of the testimony.

• "and I will tell" (Hebrew: waʼăsappərāh, וַאֲסַפְּרָה): The verb is sāpar (סָפַר), which means "to recount," "to declare," "to narrate in detail," or "to number." It implies a careful, full account of events, not a brief mention. The psalmist is ready to articulate his experience thoroughly.

• "what He has done" (Hebrew: ʼăšer ‘āśāh, אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה): This points to specific, actual acts of God. It highlights God as the active agent and emphasizes that the testimony is about divine action, not human effort or fortune.

• "for my soul" (Hebrew: lə-napšī, לְנַפְשִׁי): "Soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nepheš) in Hebrew is comprehensive, referring not just to the spiritual part but to the entire being, including emotions, will, and physical life. This makes the testimony deeply personal, a recounting of how God intervened for the psalmist's very existence, well-being, and perhaps rescue from distress or death (as suggested in vv. 8-12).

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Come and hear, all you who fear God": This powerful opening forms a distinct invitation directed towards a particular, discerning audience. It’s a call to intimacy and shared reverence. The choice of those who "fear God" highlights that such a testimony is best received by hearts already attuned to His ways and glory. It ensures the message's true significance will be apprehended.
  • "and I will tell what He has done for my soul": This second part defines the content and the speaker's role. It is a personal narrative ("my soul") focused entirely on God's active, redemptive work ("what He has done"). This shifts from generalized praise to concrete, verifiable personal experience, making the worship more tangible and impactful. The act of "telling" is an act of grateful worship and faithful witness.

Psalm 66 16 Bonus section

The placement of Psalm 66:16 after verses that describe God's testing and refining of His people (Ps 66:10-12) suggests that the psalmist's personal testimony is particularly potent because it emerges from tribulation and the crucible of suffering. His ability to "tell what He has done" is a direct result of having endured hardships and seen God's deliverance in and through them. This adds depth to the thanksgiving – it's not merely for blessing but for redemption from difficulties. The psalmist's personal vow and offering (implied by Ps 66:13-15) are fulfilled through this public testimony, indicating a sacred covenant between the believer and God to declare His deeds upon deliverance. The emphasis on "fearing God" as the audience implies that spiritual discernment is necessary to fully grasp the significance of such testimonies, distinguishing true divine intervention from mere coincidence. This public sharing builds the faith of others, creating a feedback loop where individual experiences strengthen collective worship.

Psalm 66 16 Commentary

Psalm 66:16 is a pivot within the psalm, transitioning from Israel's corporate praise to a personal testimony. It captures the essence of shared faith and individual witness within the community of believers. The psalmist, having experienced God's direct intervention and deliverance (often implied to be from a life-threatening or deeply distressing situation as alluded to in the preceding verses), does not keep this experience to himself. Instead, he eagerly invites those who reverence God to gather and listen to his account. This act is not for self-glorification, but to magnify the Lord's goodness and faithfulness, proving His active involvement in the lives of those who trust Him. It encourages collective understanding and appreciation for how God interacts personally with His people, fostering a stronger communal faith through individual witness. This verse implies that an integral part of "fearing God" involves not only worshipping Him but also attentively hearing and acknowledging His specific works in others' lives. It models the sharing of personal testimony as a vital component of communal worship and encouragement, reinforcing the truth that the God who acted mightily for Israel also acts personally for individuals.