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:

PSALMS 65:5KJV
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Psalms 65:5 (KJV)

What does Psalms 65:5 mean?

Psalms 65:5 describes how God answers His people with awe-inspiring deeds that are right and just, showing Himself as the source of hope and trust for people everywhere, even those far away across the sea. The verse highlights God as the one who saves and can be relied upon by all, not just those nearby.

In this psalm, David is speaking to God, praising Him for responding to prayer in ways that are both powerful and fair. The setting is one of worship, recognizing God’s reach and care for all people, whether they live at the ends of the earth or far out on the sea. The verse emphasizes God’s universal authority and His ability to inspire trust through His righteous actions.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 65:5

  • The word "things" comes from יָרֵא (yare’, H3372), which often means "fearful" or "awe-inspiring." Here, it points to God’s actions that cause people to stand in awe, not just terror but deep respect.
  • "Righteousness" is צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664), meaning what is right, just, or fair. This shows that God’s powerful deeds are always done with justice, not just raw power.
  • "Confidence" is מִבְטָח (mivtāḥ, H4009), meaning trust or security. The verse calls God the one in whom people everywhere put their trust, highlighting His reliability.
  • "Ends" is קָצֶה (qatseh, H7099), meaning the farthest parts or extremities. This underlines that God’s care and authority extend to the most distant places on earth.

Why Psalms 65:5 matters

  • Psalms 65:5 clarifies that God’s power is always paired with righteousness; His awe-inspiring acts are never arbitrary or cruel, but just.
  • The verse emphasizes that God is not just the God of Israel, but the one people everywhere—no matter how far—can trust for salvation and help.
  • This verse connects to the wider psalm’s theme of God’s goodness and provision, showing that His care is both personal and global.

Where else these words appear

“ends” Hebrew H7099 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 37:8 One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
  • Exodus 39:4 They made shoulderpieces for it, to couple it together: by the two edges was it coupled together.
  • Psalms 65:8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

“confidence” Hebrew H4009 · used in 15 verses

  • Job 8:14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.
  • Psalms 71:5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
  • Isaiah 32:18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

“salvation” Hebrew H3468 · used in 35 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
  • Psalms 20:6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
  • Psalms 85:7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

“off” Hebrew H7350 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:36 If they sin against thee,(for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
  • Isaiah 37:26 Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps.