Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalm 66:16 turns public praise into personal testimony. The psalm began by calling all lands to make a joyful noise unto God, sing forth the honour of His name, and say unto God, “How terrible art thou in thy works!” (vv.1-3). It rehearsed His mighty rule, His terrible works toward men, His turning the sea into dry land, His proving and trying of His people, and His bringing them into a wealthy place (vv.5-12). Then the psalmist speaks personally of vows, offerings, prayer, and mercy (vv.13-20). Verse 16 stands in that personal section: “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”
“Come and hear.” The psalmist invites listeners. He has something worth hearing. This is not idle talk, self-display, complaint, or entertainment. He calls men to hear testimony concerning the works of God. Many words spoken among men are vain, bitter, proud, deceitful, or unprofitable; but this speech is useful. The mouth is rightly used when it summons others to consider the goodness, power, and mercy of the LORD.
The order is important. Men must come and hear before they can rightly judge the matter. False reports often spread because men speak before hearing, answer before understanding, and judge before knowledge. Scripture warns, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Proverbs 18:13). The psalmist calls for a better use of the ear and the tongue. Let those who fear God come near, hear the testimony, and then glorify God for His mercy.
“All ye that fear God.” The invitation is broad among the godly, but not careless. The psalmist especially calls those who fear God. Such hearers will know how to receive the testimony. They will not treat mercy lightly, mock affliction, envy deliverance, or turn God’s works into gossip. The fear of God prepares a man to hear of God’s dealings with another soul. It gives reverence, sympathy, discernment, and praise.
The fear of God is more than dread of punishment. It is holy reverence, submission, awe, and careful regard for the LORD. Those who fear God tremble at His word, honour His works, confess His power, and rejoice in His mercy. Earlier the psalm declared, “All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee” (v.4). Yet here the psalmist particularly gathers those whose hearts are already tender toward God. The best audience for spiritual testimony is those who fear Him.
“I will declare.” Here is a resolution concerning speech. The psalmist will not remain silent. He will declare. God has acted, and His servant will speak. This agrees with the holy pattern seen elsewhere: “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so” (Psalm 107:2), and, “I believed, therefore have I spoken” (Psalm 116:10). Mercy should not die in silence. Deliverance should become testimony. Answered prayer should become praise.
This is a noble use of words. The psalmist does not declare his own wisdom, courage, worthiness, or importance. He declares what God has done. Testimony becomes corrupt when man takes the center. Some speak of spiritual experience in a way that exalts self, entertains curiosity, or draws admiration to the creature. Psalm 66:16 teaches better. The proper subject is God’s work, not man’s greatness.
“What he hath done.” The psalmist’s testimony rests on divine action. He does not say, Come and hear what I imagined, what I intended, what I accomplished, or what I deserved. He says, “what he hath done.” God is the Actor. God heard prayer. God proved, tried, preserved, brought through affliction, and did not turn away mercy (vv.9-12,19-20). Therefore, God receives the glory.
This phrase should govern all true testimony. Speak of what God has done. Speak of His mercy in deliverance. Speak of His chastening when He corrects you. Speak of His patience when He endures you. Speak of His truth when He teaches you. Speak of His providence when He guides you. Speak of His grace when He saves you from sin’s snares. Let God’s works be the matter of the declaration.
“For my soul.” The testimony is personal. The psalmist does not speak only of God’s works in creation, history, nations, or others. He can say what God has done for his soul. This is precious. Religion must not remain distant. A man may speak of God’s terrible works in Egypt, His power over enemies, His wonders among nations, and yet never consider what God has done for his own soul. The psalmist brings the matter home.
Yet “my soul” is not selfish speech. He does not make himself the final object. He declares what God has done for his soul so that those who fear God may hear and praise. Personal mercy should become God-centered testimony. A healed leper glorified God with a loud voice and fell down at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks (Luke 17:15-16). The Samaritan woman said, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29). Personal dealings with God should lead others toward God, not toward admiration of the speaker.
The soul is also named because God’s best works are inward and spiritual. He may deliver the body, restore circumstances, restrain enemies, and provide outward help; but His dealings with the soul are higher. In this psalm, God had proved and tried His people, brought them into a net, laid affliction upon their loins, caused men to ride over their heads, brought them through fire and water, and then brought them into a wealthy place (vv.10-12). Such dealings affect the soul deeply. God’s work is not only around His people, but in them.
This verse therefore teaches that affliction can furnish testimony. The psalmist had not passed through ease only. He speaks after proving, trial, burdens, oppression, fire, and water (vv.10-12). When God brings a soul through such things, there is something to declare. Trouble under God’s hand is not wasted. It teaches, humbles, searches, corrects, and prepares the heart to speak more weightily of His mercy.
There is also a necessary holiness in this testimony. The verses that follow say, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (v.18). Therefore, the man who declares what God has done for his soul must not cherish sin while speaking of mercy. Godly testimony is not a cloak for hypocrisy. The same mouth that declares mercy must refuse iniquity. The same soul that speaks of answered prayer must not regard sin in the heart.
This verse is useful for churches. The congregation of saints should hear what God has done for souls. Not disorderly boasting, not emotional display, not speech far from Scripture, but sober declaration of God’s mercy. Such testimony strengthens faith, stirs thanksgiving, teaches the young, encourages the afflicted, and magnifies the LORD. A church should be full of speech that says, “Come and hear what God hath done.”
It is also useful for families. Parents should tell children what God has done for their souls. Children should hear not only commands and corrections, but the works of God, the mercy of God, the answers to prayer, the chastening that restored, the truth that delivered, and the providences that proved His faithfulness. “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD” (Psalm 78:4).
This verse rebukes barren silence. Some have received mercy but rarely declare it. They speak readily of business, pain, fears, disappointments, and earthly interests, yet say little of what God has done for their soul. This ought not to be. If God has heard prayer, preserved life, forgiven sin, restored joy, ordered steps, restrained iniquity, or delivered from enemies, those who fear Him should hear of it in a way that gives Him glory.
It also rebukes unprofitable speech among saints. The time given to murmuring, disputing, criticism, tales, and worldly talk would be better used declaring the works of God. The tongue can wound, deceive, flatter, and poison; but it can also praise, testify, comfort, instruct, and glorify the LORD. Psalm 66:16 calls the godly mouth to profitable employment: declare what God has done for the soul.
Jesus Christ gives the fullest matter for such testimony. What has God done for the soul of every redeemed saint? He chose them in Christ, redeemed them by His blood, quickened them by His Spirit, forgave their sins, delivered them from darkness, and translated them into the kingdom of His dear Son (Ephesians 1:4-7; 2:1-5; Colossians 1:13). The believer has more to declare than temporal rescue. He may tell those who fear God that the Lord has saved his soul by sovereign mercy and kept him by divine power.
Psalm 66:16 therefore teaches the holy use of testimony. Come and hear. Let those who fear God listen. Let the delivered soul declare. Let the declaration be about what God has done, not what man has achieved. Let personal mercy become public praise. The mouth that has been spared from lying, murmuring, and vanity should be used to tell the saints what the LORD has done for the soul.
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalm 66:16 turns public praise into personal testimony. The psalm began by calling all lands to make a joyful noise unto God, sing forth the honour of His name, and say unto God, “How terrible art thou in thy works!” (vv.1-3). It rehearsed His mighty rule, His terrible works toward men, His turning the sea into dry land, His proving and trying of His people, and His bringing them into a wealthy place (vv.5-12). Then the psalmist speaks personally of vows, offerings, prayer, and mercy (vv.13-20). Verse 16 stands in that personal section: “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.”
“Come and hear.” The psalmist invites listeners. He has something worth hearing. This is not idle talk, self-display, complaint, or entertainment. He calls men to hear testimony concerning the works of God. Many words spoken among men are vain, bitter, proud, deceitful, or unprofitable; but this speech is useful. The mouth is rightly used when it summons others to consider the goodness, power, and mercy of the LORD.
The order is important. Men must come and hear before they can rightly judge the matter. False reports often spread because men speak before hearing, answer before understanding, and judge before knowledge. Scripture warns, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Proverbs 18:13). The psalmist calls for a better use of the ear and the tongue. Let those who fear God come near, hear the testimony, and then glorify God for His mercy.
“All ye that fear God.” The invitation is broad among the godly, but not careless. The psalmist especially calls those who fear God. Such hearers will know how to receive the testimony. They will not treat mercy lightly, mock affliction, envy deliverance, or turn God’s works into gossip. The fear of God prepares a man to hear of God’s dealings with another soul. It gives reverence, sympathy, discernment, and praise.
The fear of God is more than dread of punishment. It is holy reverence, submission, awe, and careful regard for the LORD. Those who fear God tremble at His word, honour His works, confess His power, and rejoice in His mercy. Earlier the psalm declared, “All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee” (v.4). Yet here the psalmist particularly gathers those whose hearts are already tender toward God. The best audience for spiritual testimony is those who fear Him.
“I will declare.” Here is a resolution concerning speech. The psalmist will not remain silent. He will declare. God has acted, and His servant will speak. This agrees with the holy pattern seen elsewhere: “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so” (Psalm 107:2), and, “I believed, therefore have I spoken” (Psalm 116:10). Mercy should not die in silence. Deliverance should become testimony. Answered prayer should become praise.
This is a noble use of words. The psalmist does not declare his own wisdom, courage, worthiness, or importance. He declares what God has done. Testimony becomes corrupt when man takes the center. Some speak of spiritual experience in a way that exalts self, entertains curiosity, or draws admiration to the creature. Psalm 66:16 teaches better. The proper subject is God’s work, not man’s greatness.
“What he hath done.” The psalmist’s testimony rests on divine action. He does not say, Come and hear what I imagined, what I intended, what I accomplished, or what I deserved. He says, “what he hath done.” God is the Actor. God heard prayer. God proved, tried, preserved, brought through affliction, and did not turn away mercy (vv.9-12,19-20). Therefore, God receives the glory.
This phrase should govern all true testimony. Speak of what God has done. Speak of His mercy in deliverance. Speak of His chastening when He corrects you. Speak of His patience when He endures you. Speak of His truth when He teaches you. Speak of His providence when He guides you. Speak of His grace when He saves you from sin’s snares. Let God’s works be the matter of the declaration.
“For my soul.” The testimony is personal. The psalmist does not speak only of God’s works in creation, history, nations, or others. He can say what God has done for his soul. This is precious. Religion must not remain distant. A man may speak of God’s terrible works in Egypt, His power over enemies, His wonders among nations, and yet never consider what God has done for his own soul. The psalmist brings the matter home.
Yet “my soul” is not selfish speech. He does not make himself the final object. He declares what God has done for his soul so that those who fear God may hear and praise. Personal mercy should become God-centered testimony. A healed leper glorified God with a loud voice and fell down at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks (Luke 17:15-16). The Samaritan woman said, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29). Personal dealings with God should lead others toward God, not toward admiration of the speaker.
The soul is also named because God’s best works are inward and spiritual. He may deliver the body, restore circumstances, restrain enemies, and provide outward help; but His dealings with the soul are higher. In this psalm, God had proved and tried His people, brought them into a net, laid affliction upon their loins, caused men to ride over their heads, brought them through fire and water, and then brought them into a wealthy place (vv.10-12). Such dealings affect the soul deeply. God’s work is not only around His people, but in them.
This verse therefore teaches that affliction can furnish testimony. The psalmist had not passed through ease only. He speaks after proving, trial, burdens, oppression, fire, and water (vv.10-12). When God brings a soul through such things, there is something to declare. Trouble under God’s hand is not wasted. It teaches, humbles, searches, corrects, and prepares the heart to speak more weightily of His mercy.
There is also a necessary holiness in this testimony. The verses that follow say, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (v.18). Therefore, the man who declares what God has done for his soul must not cherish sin while speaking of mercy. Godly testimony is not a cloak for hypocrisy. The same mouth that declares mercy must refuse iniquity. The same soul that speaks of answered prayer must not regard sin in the heart.
This verse is useful for churches. The congregation of saints should hear what God has done for souls. Not disorderly boasting, not emotional display, not speech far from Scripture, but sober declaration of God’s mercy. Such testimony strengthens faith, stirs thanksgiving, teaches the young, encourages the afflicted, and magnifies the LORD. A church should be full of speech that says, “Come and hear what God hath done.”
It is also useful for families. Parents should tell children what God has done for their souls. Children should hear not only commands and corrections, but the works of God, the mercy of God, the answers to prayer, the chastening that restored, the truth that delivered, and the providences that proved His faithfulness. “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD” (Psalm 78:4).
This verse rebukes barren silence. Some have received mercy but rarely declare it. They speak readily of business, pain, fears, disappointments, and earthly interests, yet say little of what God has done for their soul. This ought not to be. If God has heard prayer, preserved life, forgiven sin, restored joy, ordered steps, restrained iniquity, or delivered from enemies, those who fear Him should hear of it in a way that gives Him glory.
It also rebukes unprofitable speech among saints. The time given to murmuring, disputing, criticism, tales, and worldly talk would be better used declaring the works of God. The tongue can wound, deceive, flatter, and poison; but it can also praise, testify, comfort, instruct, and glorify the LORD. Psalm 66:16 calls the godly mouth to profitable employment: declare what God has done for the soul.
Jesus Christ gives the fullest matter for such testimony. What has God done for the soul of every redeemed saint? He chose them in Christ, redeemed them by His blood, quickened them by His Spirit, forgave their sins, delivered them from darkness, and translated them into the kingdom of His dear Son (Ephesians 1:4-7; 2:1-5; Colossians 1:13). The believer has more to declare than temporal rescue. He may tell those who fear God that the Lord has saved his soul by sovereign mercy and kept him by divine power.
Psalm 66:16 therefore teaches the holy use of testimony. Come and hear. Let those who fear God listen. Let the delivered soul declare. Let the declaration be about what God has done, not what man has achieved. Let personal mercy become public praise. The mouth that has been spared from lying, murmuring, and vanity should be used to tell the saints what the LORD has done for the soul.