Psalms 66:5

Come and see the works of God: [he is] terrible [in his] doing toward the children of men.

Come {H3212}{H8798)} and see {H7200}{H8798)} the works {H4659} of God {H430}: he is terrible {H3372}{H8737)} in his doing {H5949} toward the children {H1121} of men {H120}.

Come and see what God has done, his awesome dealings with humankind.

Come and see the works of God; how awesome are His deeds toward mankind.

Come, and see the works of God; He is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

Psalms 66:5 is a powerful invitation to observe the majestic and awe-inspiring actions of God. It calls all people to witness the divine power at work in the world, particularly in His dealings with humanity.

Context

Psalm 66 is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise, likely offered after a significant deliverance or triumph experienced by the people of Israel. It begins with a universal call to worship God for His mighty deeds, inviting all the earth to make a joyful noise to Him. Verses 1-4 focus on the greatness of God's power and the submission of His enemies. Verse 5 then serves as a direct invitation to consider specific instances of His awesome intervention, setting the stage for the psalm's recounting of historical acts of salvation and judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation Through Action: The verse emphasizes that God's character and power are revealed not just through words, but through His observable "works" and "doing." It's an invitation to engage with history and personal experience to see God's hand.
  • God's Awesome Power: The KJV word "terrible" (Hebrew: nora') in this context signifies something that inspires profound awe, reverence, and even holy dread, rather than modern fear. It speaks to God's immense power, majesty, and the solemnity of His judgments and deliverances. His actions are overwhelming and beyond human comprehension.
  • Universal Invitation to Witness: The phrase "Come and see" is an open call, not just to Israel, but to all "children of men," to acknowledge and marvel at God's sovereignty and might. It echoes other biblical invitations to behold the works of the LORD.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in this verse is "terrible" (Hebrew: nora', נֹורָא). While in modern English "terrible" usually implies something bad or dreadful, its KJV usage here carries the older meaning of "awe-inspiring," "dreadful in majesty," or "reverend." It is the same word used to describe Mount Sinai during God's descent (Deuteronomy 10:21) and God Himself as the "great and terrible God." It conveys a sense of overwhelming power and holiness that commands respect and reverence, not necessarily fear in a negative sense, but a profound sense of awe.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers today to actively "come and see" God's works in their own lives and in the world. It calls us to:

  • Reflect on God's Historical Acts: Consider how God has acted throughout history, from creation to the exodus, to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the ongoing work of His Spirit.
  • Recognize God's Presence in the Present: Look for God's hand in everyday blessings, challenges, and the unfolding of global events. His "doings" continue to shape the world and individual lives.
  • Cultivate Awe and Reverence: Understanding God's "terrible" (awesome) nature should lead to a deeper respect for His power, wisdom, and justice. This reverence fosters humility and trust in His sovereign plan, knowing that His actions are always purposeful, even when they seem mysterious to us, as highlighted in Isaiah 55:8-9.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 126:1

    ¶ A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

  • Psalms 126:3

    The LORD hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad.

  • Numbers 23:23

    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!

  • Psalms 46:8

    Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

  • Psalms 66:16

    Come [and] hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

  • Psalms 111:2

    The works of the LORD [are] great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

  • Psalms 66:3

    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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