Today’s Verse gets us into the “meat” of Psalm 66.
“Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.” Psalm 66:3
The things God has done!
And continues to do!
And will do yet in the future!
God’s very WORKS!
Like Balaam (of all people) said many years ago: “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!” Numbers 23:23, as a statement, not a question, “What hath God wrought!”
Yes indeed, God’s “works” are clearly in view, Psalm 66:3. “Maaseh” in Hebrew is the noun used here for “works,” usually meaning “deeds,” but 3 times in the Old Testament meaning “art” as in “artwork!” God, the Artist, plying His Handicraft every day!
God’s works though are here said to be “terrible.” And “yare” means “fearful.” But once it means “to be reverenced!” Like our concept, “awesome!”
“Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.” Psalm 66:3
The noun “power” is spelled “oz” in Hebrew. It means “might” and “boldness.” It derives from the verb meaning “to prevail, to be victorious!” To be “hard,” unrelenting!
And for the idea of the enemies (grammatically, those who hate God) “submitting,” the Psalmist used “kachash,” a verb meaning “to be insufficient, to grow lean!” These God-fighters were “no match” for the Almighty!
It sounds like our Psalm is declaring both the Wonder of God … and His mighty Strength as well. God is to be adored! And obeyed too!
One more time: “Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.” Psalm 66:3
Oh yes, the opening verb, “to say” (spelled “amar”) is framed in the imperative mood! It means “to talk” about our great God in the manner prescribed in the verse! Rather, to talk to Him in that way!
Tell God today how GREAT He is!
And how VICTORIOUS!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell