Psalms 66:5 - Meaning and Application

“Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.” That word “terrible” can feel unsettling, can’t it? It speaks of a God whose power is overwhelming, awe‑inspiring, even frightening at times. If you’ve been through pain, loss, or confusion, you might wonder: “If God is this powerful, why did He allow *this* in my life?” This verse gently invites you not to look away from God’s power, but to come closer—to *see* His works. Not just in grand miracles, but in the quiet ways He has carried you when you didn’t know how you’d make it through another day. His actions may feel severe at times, but His heart toward you is never cruel. It’s okay if you are scared of what God allows. Bring that fear to Him. Ask Him, “Show me Your works in my story. Help me see where You were, even in the terrible parts.” Over time, what first feels only “terrible” can become something awe‑filled: the realization that in your darkest chapters, you were never abandoned.

In Psalm 66:5 the psalmist issues an invitation: “Come and see the works of God.” This is the language of witness, not theory. Scripture never asks you to contemplate God in abstraction, but to observe His acts in history and in your life. “He is terrible in his doing toward the children of men” uses “terrible” in its older sense—evoking awe, dread, and reverent fear. The Hebrew points to deeds that shake us, that refuse to let us domesticate God. The psalmist is likely recalling the Exodus, where God’s saving power for Israel was simultaneously judgment for Egypt. The same Red Sea that parted for His people closed over their enemies. This verse confronts modern tendencies to want a God who is only comforting but never confronting. To “come and see” means letting God’s mighty acts redefine your categories of love, justice, and holiness. His works toward humanity are never trivial; they expose sin, overthrow pride, rescue the oppressed, and demand a response. For you, this means looking at the cross and resurrection as the climactic “works of God”—terrible in their exposure of sin, and wonderful in their offer of salvation.

“Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.” This verse invites you to stop living on rumors about God and actually look at what He does—in history, in Scripture, and in your own life. “Terrible” here doesn’t mean cruel; it means awe-inspiring, overwhelming, impossible to ignore. In practical terms, this verse confronts your illusion of control. You plan, calculate, manipulate relationships, stress over money, try to manage every outcome. Then God acts in ways that expose how small your control really is. A sudden closed door. An unexpected provision. A consequence you didn’t see coming. A rescue you didn’t deserve. When God’s works feel “terrible” to you, it’s often because they break your pride, not your life. He will shake what you build on ego, sin, or comfort, so He can establish something cleaner, truer, and more stable. So here’s the challenge: instead of asking, “Why is this happening?” start asking, “What is God showing me about Himself, my priorities, and my path?” Look at your job, your marriage, your finances, your conflicts and ask: Where do I see His hand—correcting, redirecting, or protecting? Then respond, don’t just observe.

“Come and see the works of God…” This is an invitation to step out of theory and into reality. You are not being asked to debate God, but to behold Him. Eternity whispers through this verse: *Look at what He has done in history, in judgment, in mercy, and in you.* “He is terrible in his doing toward the children of men” does not mean God is cruel; it means He is awe‑inspiring, fear‑evoking, unable to be domesticated by our preferences. His love is not sentimental—it is holy. His judgments are not spiteful—they are true. When God acts, He shakes illusions, overturns pride, and exposes what your soul is truly built upon. For your spiritual growth, this verse is a call to let God be as great, as severe, and as merciful as He really is. Do not shrink Him to fit your comfort. Instead, come and see: - The cross, where holy terror and endless mercy meet. - Your own story, where discipline and deliverance have both shaped you. If you dare to “come and see,” you will not just observe His works—you will be invited to surrender, to worship, and to be eternally transformed by the One you behold.