Psalm 66 (65):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

O nations, O distant peoples, abandon the deceivers and turn to repentance. Come and witness the mighty deeds of the Lord: His counsel is awe-inspiring to humanity. Truly, He is referred to as the Son of Man, and indeed, He became the Son of Man: the genuine Son of God in divine form (Phil. 2:6), and the authentic Son of Man in the guise of a servant; yet do not evaluate that form by the status of others: He is more fearsome in wisdom than the children of men. The children of men conspired to crucify Christ, and as He was crucified, He rendered blind those who brought about His suffering. What have you done, O children of men, in plotting against your Lord, in whom greatness was obscured while weakness seemed apparent?

Come and witness the mighty deeds of God. Presented here are the faces of the Apostles, who proclaim to the Gentiles that the One, who in His incarnation performed miraculous acts, is the very same who previously parted the Red Sea and halted the flow of the Jordan River, allowing the children of Israel to cross over on dry land.

"Come and behold the works of God; for He is more awe-inspiring in His counsel than humanity"; this encourages us to reflect on all that God accomplishes and to marvel at His unfathomable wisdom, which directs mankind toward holiness. Theodotion interpreted the phrase "more awe-inspiring in counsel than humanity" in this manner. Meanwhile, Symmachus rendered it as "Awe-inspiring are the means for humanity," signifying the wondrous and fearful methods He employs for the salvation of people. The Prophet then recounts the deeds performed in ancient times.

Come, He invites all nations to witness for themselves the awe-inspiring and fearsome deeds the Lord accomplishes every day. Observe the profound greatness and reverence of the Lord in His designs, which Simmachus interprets as in works; for He expertly carries out truly astounding acts at the moment He intends to rescue His people. He devised remarkable wonders against the Egyptians, consistently triumphing over the schemes and resistance of the people. Following this, David recounts the ancient miracles.

Saints often find their minds misled by the very virtues they possess, leading to a sense of pride in their own worthiness. However, they quickly turn to the concealed plans of God, recognizing that while some may stumble into despair due to their virtues, others ascend to the heavens by embracing humility and overcoming their shortcomings. Thus, the Prophet urges us towards humility with a warning, proclaiming, "Come and see the works of God, who is more fearsome than the sons of men." Who can fully comprehend the dread we ought to feel regarding God's judgments, especially when one virtue may suddenly align with flaws, and a vice may inadvertently lead to virtue?

Through the words "Come and see," the Prophet challenges humanity's indifference, which deprives God of the glory that is rightfully His. How is it that the vast majority of people in the world overlook God's marvelous works if not because so few truly take notice? Hence, there is a need for an awakening to stir those who are spiritually asleep. Observing that individuals are often caught up in trivial pursuits or seeking false illumination, the Prophet encourages them to ready themselves to witness the works of the Lord. By urging them to "see," he highlights the blindness that many possess even to the clearest truths. He would not have called for the works of God to be seen without reason, implying their manifest clarity.

Ultimately, throughout eternity, the continuous song of praise to God is inspired by the anticipation of the resurrection for the faithful. David, guided by the Holy Spirit, crafted this psalm to convey prophetic gratitude to God on behalf of those who have returned from Babylonian exile, symbolizing demonic bondage. This expression of thanks particularly highlights the realization of bliss for all believers, following the conclusion of worldly struggles and suffering—preparation for the resurrection of the faithful, which will be fulfilled in every respect and culminate in the final resurrection. In this context, the glory of Christ's humanity is celebrated alongside the majesty of His divinity, and both are exalted. The reference to all the earth signifies all nations. Just as the Jewish people were liberated from Babylonian oppression, so too has humanity been rescued from the torment of the devil through the Incarnation of God and the Savior.