Psalms – Chapter 66

Old Testament8 Verses

1Unto the end, in hymns, a psalm of a canticle for David.

2May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.

3That we may know thy way upon earth: thy salvation in all nations.

4Let people confess to thee, O God: let all people give praise to thee.

5Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth.

6Let the people, O God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee:

7The earth hath yielded her fruit. May God, our God bless us,

8May God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him.

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Psalms Chapter 66 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The passage calls believers to grasp that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1095) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Deepen your understanding with these related articles