Praise From the Fire: What Psalm 66 Says About Suffering

October 28, 2026 by Tom Sugimura

Praise Suffering

All the earth will look upon God’s goodness when his people praise him from the fire. It is our worship in suffering that draws their gaze.

Come and Sing

The psalmist commands us: “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!” (Ps 66:1-2 ESV). The God of all the earth deserves praises from all the earth (v. 4). Therefore, sing like Paul and Silas in the jail (Acts 16). Pray like Daniel in the lions’ den (Dan 6). Rejoice like Mary when she was made the mother of God’s Son (Luke 1:46-55). And praise Christ Jesus, in whom God’s glory is ultimately displayed (John 1:14). Let all the earth come and sing of his life, death, resurrection, and exaltation (Phil 2:6-11).

Come and See

The psalmist continues: “Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man” (Ps 66:5). True wonder draws our attention like a child watching fireworks for the first time: “Daddy, look!” The psalmist rejoices that God has “turned the sea into dry land” and parted the Jordan as his people “passed through the river on foot” (v. 6). He praises God “who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations” (v. 7). For the same God who parted the Red Sea also parted the Jordan. The same God who delivered his people from Egyptian slavery also ushered them into the promised land. And the same God who blessed his people, Israel, now invites all mankind to come and see what he has done. For this same God has sent his beloved Son to once more lead his people out of slavery (John 3:16). Therefore, praise Christ, our Passover Lamb, who takes away our sin (1 Cor 5:7). Praise Christ, who has risen from the grave according to the Scriptures (15:3-4). Praise Christ, in whom the promises to Abraham and his descendants become blessings for us as well (Gen 12:1-3). Come and see what God has done!

Come and Suffer

At the center of this psalm is the surprising call to come and suffer. For although God protects his people from many dangers (Ps 66:8-9), he will also test them in the fire: “For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water” (vv. 10-12b). God proves our character like precious metal (1 Pet 1:6-7). He purifies us by his love as trials burn away what does not belong to him. As the divine Silversmith, he holds us in the furnace at just the right heat. He patiently watches with expert eye until our dross has been removed. He waits to see his image reflected in our life before restoring us to the place of full abundance (Ps 66:12c). Surely, then, we can endure a little suffering in this present life as we long for eternal glory (2 Cor 4:17-18). We can trust God’s loving hand of discipline as he walks with us through the flame (Isa 43:2). The call to suffer remains our comfort when we know the One who calls.

Come and Sacrifice

We also praise God with our sacrifices (Ps 66:13-15). For we were once slaves to sin, but Christ has set us free (Rom 6:17-18). We once wandered in the wilderness of our rebellion, but Christ has purified us through suffering. Even now, we are sojourners in this weary land, but Christ has promised us eternal life in a place of great abundance (1 Pet 2:11-12). So, in this psalm, we hear the words of Christ—our King of kings, who testifies of God’s deliverance. In Christ Jesus, our guilt is covered by his atoning sacrifice: the Lamb of God who takes away our sin (John 1:29). For Jesus keeps the vows we made by offering his shed blood. Therefore, we come to Christ because he first sacrificed for us.

Come and Savor

Lastly, we savor God’s steadfast love: “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul” (Ps 66:16). The psalmist revels in God’s glory and delights that his prayers are heard (vv. 17-20). He savors the loyal, committed love of God who never leaves us nor forsakes us even when we wander for a time. For we, who have died to sin, have been raised with Christ and our lives are now hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-4).

Believers share such testimonies of God’s deliverance from our troubles, salvation from sin, answered prayers, and comfort in suffering. We savor his awesome deeds and delight in his Word as we draw others into worship: “Come and see what God has done” (Ps 66:5). We praise God even in our suffering—for refining us even in our trials (vv. 10-12b). We praise God when he restores us to the place of full abundance (v. 12c). Then, we trust him to hear our prayers. For even when we stumble, God’s steadfast love will never fail (1 John 3:19-22). In difficult trials, we might start to doubt our faith: “God, are you still good? Are you still powerful? Are you still God? Am I even still a Christian?” Then, at those times, God will come to us in love: “Yes, my child, I am still good. I’m still all-powerful. I’m still your God. And even though your heart may doubt, I know your heart and you are mine. You belong to me and I will never let you go.” Surely, that’s a faith we can rejoice in.

10/28/2026 1:59:25 AM

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About Tom Sugimura

Tom Sugimura is a pastor-writer, church planting coach, and professor of biblical counseling. He writes at tomsugi.com, ministers the gospel at New Life Church, and hosts the Every Peoples Podcast. He and his wife cherish the moments as they raise their four kids in Southern California.

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