Psalms 145:6 Meaning: The Might of God’s Awesome Acts
Men will speak of the might of your awesome acts. I will declare your greatness.
And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts; And I will declare thy greatness.
And the strength of Thy fearful acts they tell, And Thy greatness I recount.
And they shall tell of the might of thy terrible acts; and thy great deeds will I declare.
Meaning in one sentence
What does Psalm 145:6 mean? God’s awesome deeds inspire reverent speech and a personal declaration of His greatness.
Context
Psalm 145 is David’s final psalm, a carefully crafted alphabetical song that moves from personal praise to a vision of God’s kingdom. By verse 6, the psalmist has already promised to bless God every day (v.2) and to meditate on His wondrous works (v.5). Now the focus widens: ‘men’, other people, take up the chorus. They speak of the strength of God’s fearsome deeds. The word ‘terrible’ here carries the sense of awe, not cruelty. These are the acts that make enemies tremble and believers bow in wonder. David is not content to let others do the talking; he adds his own voice: ‘I will declare your greatness.’ The verse captures a rhythm of communal testimony and personal commitment.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words give this verse its weight. The first is nora’ot, from the root yare’ (H3372), meaning ‘to fear.’ But this is not cowering fear; it is the awe you feel when you stand at the edge of a cliff or watch a storm roll in. God’s ‘awesome acts’, plagues, deliverances, judgments, leave people breathless. They command reverence.
The second word is ‘ezuz (H5807), often translated ‘might’ or ‘strength.’ It points to raw power, the kind that sustains the universe. When men speak of that strength, they aren’t giving a lecture. They are telling what they have seen.
The third word is sapar (H5608), ‘declare’ or ‘recount.’ It means to number or to tell in detail, like a storyteller listing every part of a treasure. David will not just nod along with the crowd. He will personally count out God’s greatness, one piece at a time.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions agree that God’s ‘terrible acts’ are to be praised, though they emphasize different aspects. Reformed readers, following Calvin, see these acts as judgments that teach reverence and lead to trust. Baptist commentators like Gill list specific historical events, the flood, the plagues of Egypt, the darkening of the sun at Christ’s crucifixion, as examples of awe-inspiring power. Catholic and Orthodox traditions often connect this verse to the majesty of God displayed in creation and salvation. All hold that the same power that makes sinners tremble makes believers sing.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is to think ‘terrible acts’ means God does morally terrible things. In fact, the Hebrew word nora’ot describes what inspires awe or reverent fear, not evil. The point is not that God is terrifying in a bad way, but that His power is so overwhelming it commands respect. The verse is an invitation to wonder, not a warning to cower.
Living This Out
This week, you will likely hear news that shakes you, a disaster, a tragedy, a sudden loss. Your first instinct may be to shrink back or question God. Psalm 145:6 offers a different path: let those events drive you to speak of God’s power and to declare His greatness. Not as a way to explain suffering, but as a way to plant your feet on something solid. You can start small. This evening, tell one other person about something God has done that left you in awe. That telling is your declaration.
Main takeaway: The might of God’s awesome deeds compels us both to speak of them and to personally declare His greatness.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God does big and powerful things, like making storms and rescuing people. When we see how strong God is, we can tell someone, “God is great!”
For ages 9, 12
Have you ever seen something so amazing it made you quiet? Maybe a huge wave or a night full of stars. That kind of awe is what the psalmist feels when he talks about God’s “terrible” acts, not scary in a bad way, but so powerful you have to stop and stare. He decides that instead of staying quiet, he will tell others how great God is. You can do that too. When something reminds you of God’s power, share it with a friend.
Questions People Ask
What are the 'terrible acts' in Psalm 145:6?
They are God's powerful deeds that inspire awe and reverence. The Hebrew word nora'ot means 'fearful' or 'awesome,' not morally bad. Examples include the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the resurrection of Jesus.
Does God do terrible things to people?
The Bible shows God judging sin, but His judgments are always just and meant to lead people to repentance. 'Terrible' here describes the effect of His power on those who see it, it makes them tremble and recognize His greatness.
What does it mean to 'declare your greatness'?
It means to personally tell or recount how great God is. The Hebrew word sapar means to 'number' or 'rehearse', like listing all the reasons God is worthy of praise. It is an act of personal testimony, not just repeating what others say.
How does Psalm 145:6 connect to the rest of the psalm?
The psalm builds from personal praise (v.1-2) to passing on stories of God's works from one generation to the next (v.4). Verse 6 shows the response: people speak of God's awesome power, and the psalmist joins in with his own declaration of greatness. This leads into verses 7-9, which describe God's goodness and mercy.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study