Psalms 66:8–9 – “Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.”
Life is never random. Every breath we take, every step we make, and every day we wake up carries meaning: whether we recognise it or not. Even the ordinary moments of life are quietly sustained by unseen grace. When we pause long enough to reflect, we begin to realise that praise is not something we do only when life feels perfect; it is a natural response to the faithfulness of God that undergirds our very existence.
Psalm 66 is a call that rings across generations, cultures, and circumstances. It invites all people to lift their voices in praise, not as a ritual, but as a heartfelt response to who God is and what He continually does. David’s words remind us that praise is never empty. It flows from lived experience, from survival, from preservation, and from divine guidance.
To praise God, in its simplest and purest form, is to acknowledge His goodness and greatness with gratitude. It is declaring (out loud and from the heart) that God has been faithful, even when we did not fully see it at the time. Praise is appreciation turned heavenward.
David highlights two powerful reasons why praise should never be absent from our lives.
KEPT AMONG THE LIVING
The first reason is deeply humbling: God has kept our souls among the living.
This is a truth we often overlook because life feels routine. We wake up, go about our day, and assume tomorrow is guaranteed. Yet, every single day, lives are lost unexpectedly. Families mourn. Chairs remain empty. Plans are cut short. None of us lives by our own power or carefulness alone.
The fact that you are reading these words right now is not accidental. It is evidence of divine preservation. You were kept through nights you do not remember praying through. You were sustained during seasons when strength was low and answers were unclear. God quietly watched over your soul, ensuring that you remained among the living.
Praise, then, becomes an act of recognition. It says, “Lord, I see Your hand.” It acknowledges that life itself is a gift, not an entitlement. When we truly grasp this, gratitude rises naturally, and praise becomes a joyful overflow rather than a forced discipline.
GUIDED AND STEADY STEPS
The second reason David gives is equally profound: God has not allowed our feet to slip.
This speaks of guidance, stability, and direction. Life is full of uncertain paths, difficult choices, and moments where one wrong step could have lasting consequences. Yet, looking back, many of us can testify that we were protected from decisions we did not even realise would harm us. Some doors did not open, thankfully. Some relationships ended, mercifully. Some delays frustrated us, wisely. Through it all, God was ordering our steps, even when we thought we were walking alone.
Not slipping does not mean we never struggled or stumbled emotionally. It means we were not destroyed. We were not lost. We were not abandoned. God’s steady hand kept us moving forward, sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully, but always purposefully.
This is reason enough to praise Him: not just for where we are now, but for what we were spared from.
PRAISE AS A WAY OF LIFE
Praise is not reserved for mountaintop moments. It belongs just as much in the valleys. When praise becomes a lifestyle, it reshapes our perspective. We begin to see God’s faithfulness woven through both joy and hardship.
Praising God aligns our hearts with truth. It lifts our focus from what is lacking to what has been lovingly provided. It strengthens faith, softens anxiety, and renews hope. Praise does not deny pain; it declares that pain does not have the final word.
David’s call is both personal and communal: “Let the sound of His praise be heard.” Praise was never meant to be silent. Gratitude grows when expressed. Faith deepens when declared. Others are encouraged when they hear testimony wrapped in thanksgiving.
A PERSONAL INVITATION
Today, consider your own story. Reflect on moments where you were preserved, redirected, protected, or sustained. Think of times when the outcome could have been far worse, yet mercy intervened.
You do not need perfect words. You only need a grateful heart. Praise God intentionally, consistently, and sincerely, because you truly have a reason to do so.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, all praise and thanks belong to You. Thank You for the gift of life, for steady guidance, and for unfailing love. May my heart never forget Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
QUESTION FOR MEDITATION
What personal reason do I have today to praise God, and how can I express it intentionally?
SIX KEY TAKEAWAY POINTS
Praise flows naturally when we recognise that life itself is a gift sustained by God’s grace:
Every breath is evidence of divine preservation.
Being kept among the living is not coincidence; it is the quiet work of God’s mercy:
Gratitude grows when we acknowledge this truth.
God’s guidance protects us from unseen dangers and harmful paths:
Not slipping is often grace we only recognise in hindsight.
Praise is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in God’s faithfulness:
It transforms how we see both joy and struggle.
A lifestyle of praise strengthens faith and renews perspective:
It shifts focus from lack to abundance.
When praise is expressed openly, it encourages others and glorifies God:
Gratitude was never meant to be silent.
