Psalms 46:8
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
Psalms 46:8
“Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.” invites communal attention to God’s deeds. This is a purposeful turn from personal sheltering to public testimony. In the broader psalm, God’s acts reveal a path from fear to confidence. The “works of the LORD” include both mercy and judgment, but the immediate call here emphasizes awe-informed memory: what God has done in the earth—desolations, wars, plagues, and, in the prophetic horizon, renewal. The Hebrew term for desolations evokes ruin that leads to a future restoration. The tone is invitation to witness—watch with reverence and learn to interpret events through God’s redemptive purposes. The cultural context includes ancient Near Eastern practices of recounting memorable divine interventions to strengthen faith across generations.
This verse reinforces God’s visible, historical activity as a basis for faith. It challenges complacency by highlighting that God engages in real-world upheaval to accomplish His ends. The desolations are not meaningless; they reveal power, sovereignty, and the possibility of renewal. Theologically, it points to God’s authority over creation and history, and it invites believers to read current events through a redemptive lens—trusting that God can turn ruins into a stage for His glory and human transformation.
Today, we can respond by:
- Studying the “works of the LORD” in Scripture and in current events to discern God’s presence and activity.
- Sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness—how He has rescued, redirected, or restored in times of desolation.
- Offering tangible help to communities recovering from disaster—advocacy, shelter, and vocational support—as concrete witnesses to God’s renewing power.
Practical example: after a natural disaster, a church could host a relief drive, then in weekly gatherings invite participants to reflect on how God’s actions, not fear, shape their community response.
Cross-References: Isaiah 40:26-31; Psalm 103:7; Habakkuk 1:5; Exodus 14:13-14; Revelation 21:1-4