Surely [there is] no enchantment against Jacob, neither [is there] any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
Say unto God, How terrible [art thou in] thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
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Commentary for Psalms 66:5
Psalm 66:5 is part of a larger psalm that is generally categorized as a hymn of praise, likely composed for liturgical use in the Jewish temple. The historical context of the psalm is not precisely known, but it is believed to have been written after the Babylonian Exile, as it reflects a time when the Jewish people had experienced both the discipline and the faithfulness of God.
The verse itself, "Come and see the works of God: [he is] terrible [in his] doing toward the children of men," emphasizes two key themes. Firstly, it invites all to witness and acknowledge the mighty acts of God. This call to "come and see" suggests a public declaration and recognition of God's power and deeds. The use of the word "terrible" in this context does not carry the modern connotation of something being bad, but rather conveys the idea of God's actions being awe-inspiring, majestic, and powerful in a way that demands respect and reverence.
Secondly, the verse highlights the fearsome or awesome nature of God's interventions in human history. The term "terrible" can also imply that God's actions are to be feared because they are just and authoritative. The phrase "toward the children of men" indicates that these actions are particularly relevant to humanity, suggesting that God's works have a direct impact on people's lives, both in terms of judgment and salvation.
Overall, Psalm 66:5 calls for an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the grandeur of His deeds, which are both wondrous and fearsome to those who witness them. It serves as a reminder of the power and majesty of God, encouraging believers to reflect on and respond to His greatness with awe and reverence.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H3212 There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָלַךְ Transliteration: yâlak Pronunciation: yaw-lak' Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
Strong's Number: H7200 There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: רָאָה Transliteration: râʼâh Pronunciation: raw-aw' Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
Strong's Number: H4659 There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִפְעָל Transliteration: miphʻâl Pronunciation: mif-awl' Description: or (feminine) מִפְעָלָה; from פָּעַל; a performance; work.
Strong's Number: H430 There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֱלֹהִים Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym Pronunciation: el-o-heem' Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
Strong's Number: H3372 There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָרֵא Transliteration: yârêʼ Pronunciation: yaw-ray' Description: a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten; affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).
Strong's Number: H5949 There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עֲלִילָה Transliteration: ʻălîylâh Pronunciation: al-ee-law' Description: or עֲלִלָה; from עָלַל in the sense of effecting; an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity; act(-ion), deed, doing, invention, occasion, work.
Strong's Number: H1121 There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בֵּן Transliteration: bên Pronunciation: bane Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
Strong's Number: H120 There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָדָם Transliteration: ʼâdâm Pronunciation: aw-dawm' Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person.