Psalm 66

William Helder © 1980, 2006

1. Let all the earth with loud rejoicing
   The greatness of our God acclaim.
   With shouts of praise let all adore Him,
   Sing to the glory of His name.
   Let all then say, “How awe-inspiring
   Are all Your works, how great Your power;
   Before Your strength, O God almighty,
   Your enemies all cringe and cower.
   
2. “All peoples, bowing down before You,
   Sing praises to Your glorious name;
   To You, O God, they all pay homage,
   With hymns of joy declare Your fame.”
   O come and see with reverent wonder
   The awesome deeds that God has done,
   His mighty works among the nations,
   The victories His hand has won.
   
3. His strength to Israel revealing,
   He turned the sea to arid land,
   And they on foot passed through the river;
   The waters heeded His command.
   We sang His praise, in Him rejoicing
   Who by His might rules without end;
   His eyes keep watch on every nation.
   Let rebels not His power withstand.
   
4. Come, bless our God with joyful voices;
   All nations, let His praise resound,
   For He has kept our feet from stumbling;
   In Him we have a refuge found.
   Your people You, O God, have tested
   As ore is in the furnace tried;
   We in the fire of Your refining
   Have been, like silver, purified.
   
5. Into the net, O God, You brought us,
   Laid heavy burdens on our backs.
   Foes drove right over us in chariots;
   You humbled us by their attacks.
   We went through fire, we went through water,
   But You then showed Your power and grace,
   For You delivered us, Your people,
   And brought us to a spacious place.
   
6. Your holy temple I shall enter
   And there my thanks to You express,
   I shall fulfill the vows I promised
   In days of trouble and distress.
   Burnt sacrifices I shall offer,
   With choicest fatlings pay my vows,
   With smoke of rams, with goats and bullocks
   I shall adore You in Your house.
   
7. Come and be to my words attentive,
   All You who the Almighty fear.
   Let me declare how He has helped me,
   How in my troubles He drew near.
   I cried to God in my affliction,
   And He in mercy heard my voice;
   My tongue with songs of praise extolled Him.
   In His compassion I rejoice.
   
8. If I had cherished any evil,
   The Lord would not have heeded me.
   I know that God indeed has heard me;
   He has attended to my plea.
   Forever blest be God my Savior,
   Who has not turned away my prayer,
   Nor has withheld from me His mercy,
   His never-failing love and care.