Psalms 46:8
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
Original Language Analysis
לְֽכוּ
H1980
לְֽכוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 8
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
חֲ֭זוּ
behold
H2372
חֲ֭זוּ
behold
Strong's:
H2372
Word #:
2 of 8
to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 8
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׂ֖ם
he hath made
H7760
שָׂ֖ם
he hath made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
6 of 8
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
Cross References
Psalms 66:5Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.Isaiah 24:1Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.Isaiah 61:4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.Exodus 12:30And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.Joshua 11:20For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.Exodus 10:7And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?Numbers 23:23Surely 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!
Historical Context
This may reference specific deliverances like Sennacherib's defeat (2 Kings 19), where God made desolation among Israel's enemies. The invitation to 'come and behold' suggests pilgrims learning from sacred history.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'works of the LORD' should we behold to strengthen our faith?
- How does seeing God's past actions build confidence for present challenges?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The invitation: 'Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.' The 'desolations' are judgments against those opposing God. Beholding His works--historical acts of deliverance and judgment--strengthens faith. We are invited to see what God has done as evidence of what He will do.