Psalm 66 3

Psalm 66:3 kjv

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 nkjv

Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.

Psalm 66:3 niv

Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.

Psalm 66:3 esv

Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.

Psalm 66:3 nlt

Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
Your enemies cringe before your mighty power.

Psalm 66 verses

Psalm 66 3 Meaning

Psalm 66:3 is a call for universal declaration and praise to God, asserting His profound and awe-inspiring deeds. It emphasizes that these mighty works are born out of His immense and irresistible power, a power so great that it compels even His adversaries to outwardly acknowledge His supremacy, though their submission might be feigned or grudging rather than a genuine change of heart. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty and irresistible might over all opposition.

Psalm 66 3 Context

Psalm 66 is a hymn of thanksgiving, celebrating God's great works both in general and specifically concerning His deliverance of Israel. It opens with a universal summons to praise God (vv. 1-4), highlighting the very reason for this praise in verse 3: God's awesome deeds wrought by His mighty power. Following this, the psalm transitions to recount historical examples of God's power, notably the Red Sea crossing (vv. 5-7), His testing and refining of His people (vv. 8-12), and finally culminates in the psalmist's personal testimony of God's faithfulness in answering prayer (vv. 13-20). Psalm 66:3 thus serves as a foundational declaration that motivates the universal worship exhorted in the beginning of the psalm and provides the rationale for the subsequent recounting of God's interventions. The reference to "enemies" submitting is rooted in the historical experience of God's people encountering opposition, where divine intervention often resulted in the humbling or defeat of their foes, even forcing an outward, often unwilling, acknowledgment of God's power.

Psalm 66 3 Word analysis

• Say to God (אִמְרוּ לֵאלֹהִים - 'imru l'Elohim'):
  • 'Imru is an imperative plural verb, translating to "Say!" or "Declare!" It's a command directed at a group, reinforcing the communal and universal call to worship that pervades Psalm 66.
  • l'Elohim refers directly "to God," not merely speaking about Him. 'Elohim' is a general and common Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His power, transcendence, and often used when speaking of God's acts in creation and the natural world, reinforcing His role as the powerful Creator and Ruler.
• How awesome (מַה נּוֹרָא - mah norah):
  • Mah is an exclamatory particle, signifying "How!" or "What great!"
  • Norah (from the root yare, to fear) signifies something "dreadful," "awe-inspiring," "terrible," or "magnificent." This dread is not primarily one of terror, but profound reverence and wonder that elicits deep respect due to God's overwhelming power and majesty. It denotes something astounding and fear-inducing due to its grandeur and might.
• are Your works (מַעֲשֶׂיךָ - ma'aseykha):
  • Ma'aseykha (from ma'aseh) refers to God's deeds, acts, and accomplishments. This encompasses His creative acts, historical interventions (like the Exodus), judgments, and continuous providential care. It refers to the observable manifestations of God's character and power in the world.
• Through the greatness (בְּרֹב - b'rov):
  • B' means "in" or "through," indicating the means or instrument.
  • Rov (from rabab) signifies "multitude," "abundance," "plenty," or "greatness." It describes an immense, overwhelming, or superabundant degree of something. Here, it denotes the overwhelming scale and measure of God's power.
• of Your power (עֻזֶּךָ - 'uzzekha):
  • 'Uzzekha (from 'oz) refers to God's strength, might, vigor, or irresistible power. It often implies a formidable, unyielding, and sovereign strength, frequently associated with God's power in battle or His dominion.
• Your enemies (אֹיְבֶיךָ - 'oyveikha):
  • 'Oyveikha refers to those who are adversarial to God and His chosen people, encompassing both human antagonists and potentially spiritual forces that stand in opposition to His will and rule.
• shall submit themselves to You (יְכַחֲשׁוּ לָךְ - y'khakhashu lakh):
  • Y'khakhashu (from the root kachash) is a crucial word here. It means "to feign obedience," "to pretend submission," "to disown," "to deny," "to lie," or "to cringe." This Hebrew term suggests an outward, forced compliance or a reluctant acknowledgment rather than a genuine, heartfelt surrender or repentance. The enemies are compelled by God's overwhelming power to acknowledge His supremacy, but their inner hearts may still be defiant. It describes the physical act of bowing down or speaking words of submission under duress.

Psalm 66 3 Bonus section

• The phrasing "How awesome are Your works!" sets the tone for an extended meditation on God's mighty acts, serving as the theological justification for all the calls to praise throughout the psalm.
• The concept of enemies being forced to feign submission (kachash) differentiates from a true conversion or heartfelt repentance. This implies that God's sovereignty is so comprehensive that it extends even over the defiant, compelling outward deference where inner loyalty is absent. This has profound implications for understanding divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.
• The Psalm is often seen as a community thanksgiving after a significant national deliverance, reinforcing that God’s actions in history manifest His awesome power. This particular verse might be a reflection on the defeat or humbling of a historical foe of Israel, providing contemporary comfort and hope.

Psalm 66 3 Commentary

Psalm 66:3 serves as a central declaration within a psalm of universal praise. It succinctly articulates the reasons for awe and worship towards God: His active and magnificent deeds. These "awesome works" are not random occurrences but are consistently and perfectly executed because they spring from the inexhaustible "greatness of Your power." This divine power is so absolute and overwhelming that it effectively crushes all opposition. The most striking element of the verse is the implication that God's power is so compelling that even His most bitter "enemies" are forced into an outward, if not genuine, "submission." This doesn't necessarily imply conversion, but rather a compulsory acknowledgement of God's might and sovereign control over all creation and all creatures. The verse assures believers that no force, human or spiritual, can ultimately withstand or thwart the will of God; even rebellion must eventually bend the knee, whether willingly or not, before His ultimate dominion.