“Come and see,” says the psalmist in the sixty-sixth psalm. And then, in the same song, he invites his audience to “Come and hear.” Some things you behold . . . other things you are “be-told.”

But what’s grabbed me in this song this morning, are the two realms in which God’s glory are evident. One, the physical realm, the evidence of which is there for the seeing. The other, the spiritual realm, evident to those whose inner being has been touched, and only known by others who have ears to hear the word of testimony. Both are spheres in which God works mightily. Both are spheres where the glory of God is evidence. He is the God of sea and soul.

Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in Him, . . . Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul.   (Psalm 66:5-6, 16 ESV)

It’s a psalm of praise. Calling for those who read it, or sing it, to “shout for joy to God” . . . to “sing the glory of His name” . . . to “give to Him glorious praise” (v. 1-2).

And the fuel which fires the furnace of worship? “Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your deeds!'” (v.3a).

And so, the songwriter says, come and see the awesome deeds God has done. Look at the nation around you and remember His great deliverance. Pause and cast a glance toward “the children of man” inhabiting the land promised to their fathers. And when you do, remember the sea. Consider the power of God as evidenced when water gave way to dry land. When an impassible barrier was wondrously displaced so that God might deliver His chosen inheritance. Look into the faces of your neighbors, remember God’s great deliverance, and see again the physical evidence of our God’s great workings. Know afresh the might of Him who rules forever — of Him whose “eyes keep watch on the nations” (v.7). Come and see the awesome deeds of God.

And to consider the God we know working so mightily on a such a big stage is probably to be expected. Could not the God of creation — and the God who is the Sustainer of creation — could not such a great God displace some water should He choose? That Almighty God would display His power in such awesome ways, while jaw-dropping, is probably a logical expectation.

But if my jaw drops when I come and see again His might in making dry land where there was once a great sea, my whole being drops to the ground when I come and hear of the same God working in the souls of men and women.

“Come and hear,” sings the songwriter, “and I will tell you what He has done for my soul.” Unreal!

Think about it. The great and awesome God who keeps watch over the nations also determines to go “undercover” and work within the souls of individual people. The power that divided a sea, also works to save a soul . . . and set apart a soul . . . and shepherd a soul . . . and sustain a soul. The God who watches over the universe, also attends the voice of our prayer (v. 19). The God who works great works in the physical realm, works equally great works in the spiritual realm . . . soul by soul. Awesome are His deeds!

Bless the Lord, o my soul . . . for the God of sea and soul.

To Him be all glory . . .