Psalms 65:5
“By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God answers prayer through mighty, righteous acts that inspire trust across all nations.
Context
God's mighty, righteous response to prayer becomes a sign of His power to all nations.
What Does Psalms 65:5 Mean?
The word 'terrible' might startle modern readers, but it means 'awe-inspiring'—the kind of acts that provoke wonder and reverence. God answers prayer not with whispered comfort alone but with demonstrations of power and righteousness. These 'terrible things'—possibly references to God's protection, deliverance, or judgment—become evidence of His reliability. All the earth, from distant lands to remote seas, witnesses this divine responsiveness.
God is not a local deity but the foundation of confidence for all humanity. The repetition—'all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off'—stresses universality. No one is beyond His reach or care. When prayer is answered through visible, mighty acts of justice, the effect ripples outward, confirming God's trustworthiness to believers everywhere.