In the Bible, “terrible” often refers to something that inspires awe or fear, especially in the context of God’s power and majesty (e.g., Psalm 66:3). It conveys the idea of something being fearfully impressive or causing reverence rather than mere fright.
Scripture
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
18 He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.
19 Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
20 You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.
21 He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.
Biblical Meaning of “Terrible”
In biblical literature, the term “terrible” often evokes a sense of profound awe and reverence rather than simple fear. This duality is evident in verses such as Psalm 66:3, which proclaims, “Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works!” Here, the psalmist acknowledges the awe-inspiring nature of God’s deeds, suggesting that the “terribleness” of God is associated with His unmatched power and the grandeur of His creation. This resonates with the broader biblical theme that encounters with God evoke a deep respect and wonder, illustrating how His presence can bring both enlightenment and a healthy respect for His justice and might.
Moreover, the use of “terrible” in contexts such as Jeremiah 20:11 highlights God’s protective power for those who trust in Him: “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one.” The term emphasizes a divine strength that instills both confidence in the believer and a recognition of God’s supreme authority. Therefore, understanding “terrible” in the biblical context encourages believers to appreciate the blend of God’s fearsome power and benevolent protection, fostering a complex relationship defined by reverence, honor, and love rather than mere dread. This overarching theme of awe in the presence of God serves to guide the faithful towards a deeper understanding of humility, worship, and obedience, as evidenced throughout the Scriptures.
The biblical concept of “terrible” can also be seen in the discussions surrounding God’s covenantal relationship with His people, where His “terribleness” evokes a sense of holiness that compels reverence from His followers. For instance, passages that describe the utter magnificence of God during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai reveal how the Israelites were filled with fear at God’s presence, which was characterized by thunder, lightning, and a thick cloud—elements that signify His awe-inspiring nature. This portrayal emphasizes that God’s greatness can generate an overwhelming sense of dread, yet it simultaneously calls His people to a life of obedience and fidelity under His divine laws.
Additionally, the use of “terrible” can encapsulate the sense of moral and ethical weight tied to God’s judgment. Biblical prophets often describe visions of God’s impending judgment in apocalyptic tones, invoking terror not just as a consequence of retribution but as a necessary element to incite repentance among the people. In this sense, the “terrible” nature of God serves as a reminder of His righteousness and the seriousness with which He views sin. The fear derived from God’s judgment, therefore, becomes a catalyst for spiritual awakening and transformation, compelling believers to align themselves with God’s will. Ultimately, the multifaceted depiction of “terrible” distills the essence of God’s character, inviting a relationship rooted in awe, reverence, and the pursuit of holiness.
The Awe-Inspiring Nature of God
In the Bible, the term “terrible” often conveys a sense of awe and reverence towards God. It reflects the profound respect and fear that believers have in response to God’s majesty, power, and holiness. This usage emphasizes that God’s actions and presence can evoke a deep emotional response, highlighting His sovereignty over creation and the moral order.
The Consequences of Sin
Another broader meaning of “terrible” in the biblical context relates to the consequences of sin and disobedience. It can describe the dire outcomes that result from turning away from God’s commandments. This interpretation serves as a warning about the seriousness of sin and the potential for judgment, illustrating that actions contrary to God’s will can lead to devastating repercussions.
The Reality of Judgment
“Terrible” can also refer to the concept of divine judgment. In this sense, it signifies the fearsome nature of God’s judgment upon nations, individuals, or the world at large. This understanding underscores the belief that God will ultimately hold humanity accountable for their actions, and that the reality of judgment can be both a source of fear and a call to repentance.
How to Cultivate a Deeper Faith and Understanding
Cultivating a deeper faith and understanding is a journey that requires intentionality and openness to God’s guidance. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture; not just reading, but meditating on the verses that resonate with your heart. Consider keeping a journal to reflect on your thoughts and prayers, allowing you to track your spiritual growth over time. Engage in community with fellow believers, as sharing experiences and insights can illuminate your own understanding and strengthen your faith. Don’t shy away from asking tough questions—God welcomes our inquiries and desires a relationship built on honesty. Lastly, make space for silence and prayer in your daily routine; it’s in those quiet moments that you can truly hear God’s voice and feel His presence. Remember, faith is not a destination but a continuous journey, and every step you take brings you closer to a richer, more profound relationship with Him.
Bible References to the Meaning of “Terrible”:
Psalm 66:1-5: 1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.”
4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name. Selah
5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.
Psalm 68:32-35: 32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah.
33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.
34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies.
35 O God, you are awesome from your sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Psalm 76:7-12: 7 But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?
8 From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still.
9 When God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth.
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.
11 Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared.
12 He will cut off the spirit of princes; he is feared by the kings of the earth.
Psalm 99:1-5: 1 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!
Psalm 145:5-7: 5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Isaiah 64:1-4: 1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence—
2 as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
3 When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
4 From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.
Jeremiah 20:10-13: 10 For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! “Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” say all my close friends, watching for my fall. “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we can overcome him and take our revenge.”
11 But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed.
12 O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous,
who sees the heart and the mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you have I committed my cause.
13 Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord!
For he has delivered the life of the needy
from the hand of evildoers.
Joel 2:11-13: 11 The Lord utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome; who can endure it?
12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;”
13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Nahum 1:2-6: 2 The Lord is a jealous and avenging God;
the Lord is avenging and wrathful;
the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies.
3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers.
5 The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before his indignation?
Zephaniah 2:11-15: 11 The Lord will be awesome against them; for he will famish all the gods of the earth, and to him shall bow down, each in its place, all the lands of the nations.
12 You also, O Cushites, shall be slain by my sword.
13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria,
and he will make Nineveh a desolation,
a dry waste like the desert.
14 Herds shall lie down in her midst,
all kinds of beasts;
even the owl and the hedgehog
shall lodge in her capitals;
a voice shall hoot in the window;
devastation will be on the threshold;
for her cedar work will be laid bare.
15 This is the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, “I am, and there is no one else.” What a desolation she has become, a lair for wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
Hebrews 10:26-31: 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.