Commentary - Psalm 66:5-7

Bird's-eye view

In this brief but potent section of Psalm 66, the psalmist transitions from a general call to praise to a specific summons for all people to witness the historical acts of God. This is not a call to contemplate abstract theology, but rather to look at God's resume, His track record in human history. The central exhibits are the foundational redemptive events of Israel: the crossing of the Red Sea and the Jordan River. These "fearsome" deeds are presented as the basis for both glad worship and a sober warning to the nations. God's power, demonstrated in the past, is the ground for understanding His eternal rule and His active surveillance of all nations. The passage concludes with a sharp admonition to the rebellious, reminding them that any self-exaltation is folly in the face of such a God.

The logic is straightforward: look at what God has done, understand who God is because of what He has done, and then adjust your posture accordingly. For the people of God, this means joyful worship. For the proud and rebellious, it means they had best reconsider their posture. The "Selah" at the end functions as a musical and theological pause, urging the listener to let the weight of this reality sink in.

Outline

Context In Psalms

Psalm 66 is a psalm of thanksgiving, a public declaration of God's goodness and power. It begins with a universal call for all the earth to shout joyfully to God (vv. 1-4). Our passage (vv. 5-7) provides the historical grounding for this universal praise. The psalmist is not just emoting; he is pointing to historical, verifiable facts. After this section, the psalm continues to speak of God's testing of His people (vv. 8-12) before concluding with the psalmist's personal testimony and fulfillment of vows (vv. 13-20). This structure is important: universal praise is grounded in historical acts, which are then applied to the experience of the covenant community and the individual believer. Our passage is the hinge that connects the global call to worship with the specific experiences of God's people.

Key Issues

Commentary

Psalm 66:5

Come and see the works of God, Who is fearsome in His deeds toward the sons of men.

The psalmist begins with an evangelistic summons. This is not a quiet suggestion for private meditation but a public cry, a herald's announcement. "Come and see" is a call to behold, to witness, to look at the evidence. Christianity is a historical faith, and the psalmist grounds his call to worship not in subjective feelings but in the objective "works of God." These are not just any works; they are "fearsome." This doesn't mean God is a capricious tyrant. It means His actions in history inspire awe, reverence, and a holy terror. They are not tame. These deeds are directed "toward the sons of men," indicating God's deep and active involvement in human affairs. He is not a distant deity but an active participant, and His actions have consequences for all mankind. For those who are His, this fearsomeness is a profound comfort; for those who oppose Him, it is a terrifying reality.

Psalm 66:6

He turned the sea into dry land; They passed through the river on foot; There let us be glad in Him!

Here the psalmist provides the receipts for his claim. He points to two of the foundational, miraculous events in Israel's history: the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3). These were not natural phenomena. God suspended the laws of nature to create a path for His people where none existed. He made the sea into a highway and the river into a walkway. This is the kind of God we are dealing with, one who commands creation itself for the sake of His redemptive purposes. The appropriate response to remembering these events is not simply historical reflection but active worship: "There let us be glad in Him!" The joy is not in Israel's cleverness or strength, but "in Him." Our gladness is located in the character and power of the God who performs such mighty acts of salvation.

Psalm 66:7

He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

The historical acts of verse 6 are not isolated incidents. They are demonstrations of an eternal reality: God "rules by His might forever." His dominion is not a temporary arrangement; it is an everlasting government. And His rule is not limited to Israel. "His eyes keep watch on the nations." This is a statement of God's meticulous providence. He sees all the geopolitical maneuvering, all the secret counsels of kings, all the proud ambitions of empires. Nothing escapes His gaze. In light of this, the psalmist draws a sharp, practical conclusion: "Let not the rebellious exalt themselves." To rebel against this God is the height of insanity. It is cosmic treason, and it is utterly futile. The psalmist is issuing a stern warning to all who would set themselves against the Lord. Your pride is a bubble, and God's reality is the pin. The verse ends with "Selah," a pause. We are to stop and consider this. Let the music swell. Let the truth sink deep into our bones. The rebellious are warned, and the faithful are called to rejoice in their sovereign, watchful King.

Key Words

Yare', "Fearsome"

Yare' is the Hebrew word translated as "fearsome" or "terrible." It carries the idea of inspiring profound awe and reverence. It is not simply being scared, as one might be of a wild animal. It is the creaturely recognition of the Creator's overwhelming power and majesty. When the psalmist says God's deeds are "fearsome," he is reminding us that God is not safe in the modern, sentimental sense. His actions in history, like the drowning of the Egyptian army, are terrifying to His enemies and a source of profound, reverential awe for His people.

Selah, "To Pause, To Lift Up"

While the precise meaning of Selah is debated, it most likely functions as a musical or liturgical instruction. It calls for a pause, an instrumental interlude, or a change in volume. Theologically, it serves as a moment for reflection. The psalmist has just laid down a massive truth about God's eternal, watchful rule and the folly of rebellion. Selah tells the congregation to stop, think about what was just said, and let its weight settle before proceeding. It is a call to let the truth resonate in the heart and mind.

Context: The Theology of the Red Sea Crossing

The crossing of the Red Sea is more than just a great escape story. It is a paradigm of salvation throughout the Scriptures. It was a baptismal event for the nation of Israel (1 Cor. 10:1-2), a passage through the waters of judgment into a new life of covenant relationship with God. It was a decisive act of judgment against the gods of Egypt and the pride of Pharaoh, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy over all earthly and spiritual powers. For the psalmist to invoke this event is to tap into a deep reservoir of theological meaning. He is reminding the people that their God is a God who saves through judgment, who delivers His people by overthrowing His enemies in a spectacular display of power. This historical event becomes the lens through which Israel is to understand all of God's subsequent dealings with them and with the nations.

Application

The central application of this passage is that our worship must be rooted in the mighty acts of God in history. We are not called to invent our reasons for praising God; we are called to "come and see" what He has already done. Our faith is not a leap in the dark; it is a confident step based on a long and public track record of God's faithfulness and power. The greatest of these acts, to which the Red Sea crossing ultimately pointed, is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the cross, God performed His most fearsome deed, judging sin in the flesh. In the resurrection, He turned the sea of death into dry land, creating a path for all who are in Christ to pass through into eternal life.

This passage also serves as a potent reminder of God's sovereignty over the nations. In a world of political turmoil and arrogant leaders, we are reminded that God's eyes are watching. He rules by His might forever. This should fill the believer with a steadfast confidence and joy. It should also lead us to pray for our leaders and our nations, that they would heed the warning not to exalt themselves, but rather to bow the knee to the one true King, Jesus Christ. Our response, like the psalmist's, should be gladness in Him, and a humble recognition that all rebellion against such a God is utter folly.