Psalms 66:5 Meaning: Come and See God's Awesome Deeds
Come, and see God’s deeds— awesome work on behalf of the children of men.
Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
Come, and see the works of God; He is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
Come ye, and see the works of God, Fearful acts toward the sons of men.
Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in [his] doings toward the children of men.
Meaning in one sentence
Understand Psalms 66:5 meaning: an invitation to observe God's awe-inspiring deeds for mankind, remembering His past deliverance and present rule.
Context
This psalm is a song of praise, likely written for temple worship. It begins with a call for all the earth to shout joyfully to God and ends with a personal testimony of prayer answered. Verse five sits at the hinge of the chapter. The psalmist has just asked the whole world to declare that God's deeds are awesome. Now he turns to a direct invitation: come and see. What follows is a specific memory, God turning the sea into dry land, the defining act of deliverance in Israel's history. But this is no museum piece. The psalmist connects that ancient rescue to God's present rule over the nations, warning rebels and calling the faithful to rejoice. The invitation is both backward and forward-looking.
Key Words
The Hebrew word behind 'come' is ləkhu, a command to move, not just to turn your head but to go where you can actually see. It suggests effort, a deliberate approach to God's works. The word for 'awesome' comes from yare, a root that means to fear deeply. This is not the mild appreciation of a good show; it is the reverence that stops your breath. God's deeds inspire a holy awe that changes how we see ourselves and the world. And the word translated 'deeds' here, alilah, carries a sense of something striking, even unexpected, acts that leave no doubt about who is at work. Together these words paint a picture: we are to physically and spiritually move toward God's remarkable actions, letting them shape our trust in Him.
How Christians Read This Verse
Across Christian traditions, this verse has been heard as both a memory and a promise. Early Reformed commentators like Calvin and Barnes saw it as a call to remember God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, which then becomes comfort for believers facing their own trials. Anglican writers (the Cambridge Bible) emphasize the sovereignty behind the works: God's power inspires either reverence or dread, depending on the heart. Gill, a Baptist commentator, goes further, seeing these deeds as prophetic of Christ's work, his miracles and resurrection as the ultimate 'awesome work.' In all these readings, the invitation is active: the Christian is not a passive spectator but one who must respond to what God has done.
A common misunderstanding
Some read the word 'awesome' and imagine something pleasant or merely impressive, like a beautiful sunset. In fact, the Hebrew word nora carries the heavy sense of fear and trembling. God's deeds are not just wonderful; they are terrifying in their power, capable of both saving and judging. The psalmist invites us to face the full, unsoftened majesty of God, not a tame version of Him.
Living This Out
This week, take one specific story of God's deliverance, either from Scripture, like the exodus, or a personal memory of when God made a way through a hard time. Write it down in a sentence or two. Then ask yourself: what does this tell me about who God is? Let that memory shape how you face whatever feels impossible right now, a strained relationship, a fear about the future, a decision that seems impossible. The invitation 'come and see' is what you do next. You stop and look for where God is still acting on behalf of His children.
Main takeaway: God has done, and still does, awesome things for His people, look back, trust now, and let that shape your worship.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God does amazing things to help His people. He made a path through the Red Sea so they could escape. You can trust God to help you too.
For ages 9, 12
When the psalmist says 'Come and see God's awesome deeds,' he's remembering how God saved Israel from Egypt. God did something impossible, He split the sea so they could walk through on dry ground. God still does powerful things for His people today. When you face something hard, remember how God has helped you before. He can make a way where there seems to be no way.
Questions People Ask
What does 'awesome work' mean in Psalms 66:5?
The Hebrew word for 'awesome' (nora) comes from a root that means to fear deeply. It refers to acts that inspire holy reverence, not just wonder. These works show God's power to save and to judge, and they call for a response of trust and worship.
What is the context of Psalms 66:5?
The psalm begins with a call for all the earth to praise God. Verses 5-7 recall God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, especially the crossing of the Red Sea. The psalm then moves to personal testimony, describing how God tested and refined His people and heard their prayers.
Is Psalms 66:5 referring to the Exodus?
Most commentators agree that the primary reference is the Exodus, specifically the parting of the Red Sea mentioned in verse 6. However, some see it as also celebrating later deliverances, such as from Babylon. The key point is that God acts mightily to rescue His people.
How is God 'terrible in his doing' (KJV)?
The KJV uses 'terrible' where modern translations say 'awesome' or 'fearful.' It means inspiring terror in the sense of overwhelming awe, not meaning that God is bad. His deeds are so powerful that they cause enemies to submit and believers to revere Him.
Does 'come and see' require a physical journey?
The Hebrew command 'come' suggests intentional movement, not just passive observation. It may refer to gathering for worship or visiting the places where God acted (like the sanctuary). But the deeper call is to actively pay attention to God's works and let them shape your faith.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study