Psalm 66:16–20: Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!
Experiencing Jesus in the Psalms
Here he addressed the congregation in praise to God (a declarative praise). He told them that God responded to his prayer (I cried out to Him) and God delivered him. However, it would not have happened that way if he had clung to sin. But God did listen and answer his prayer. The point is clear: God’s people, when in need, should purify their hearts and pray to Him. Then He will answer and not withhold His loyal love, and other believers may praise and exalt Him. 1
Living the Transformed Life
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:2
- Purity of heart means asking for His forgiveness before asking for His help.
- Purity of heart means resolving to depart from sin, by the grace of God.
- Purity of heart means relating to God with a pure conscience, and praising Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength for He has heard your prayers and petitions.
Being in a right relationship with Him, is the right thing to do.
Praise and Prayer
Thank You Father for Your forgiveness, over and over again. Dear Jesus, please purify my heart, that I may not break fellowship with You.
1. Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 842). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.