I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While we might read "works" and "wonders" as plural, suggesting many past events, the context hints that the psalmist is focusing on one specific, monumental act of deliverance from long ago. This single, powerful memory is the anchor he deliberately chooses to combat his present despair.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a deep dive into despair, questioning God's faithfulness, the psalmist shifts from his personal anguish to a powerful recollection of God's past deeds. He resolves to focus on and celebrate the mighty acts of deliverance God performed for his people in ages past, particularly the Exodus from Egypt, as a way to rekindle his faith and hope.
When life feels overwhelming and your prayers seem unheard, where do you turn? This psalm walks us through a profound shift from deep despair to powerful hope, all through a deliberate act of remembering.
The psalmist begins in a place of deep sorrow and unanswered prayer. His spirit is heavy, and his thoughts are dark.
The Shift:
Instead of dwelling on his present pain, he makes a conscious decision: 'I will remember the deeds of the LORD.' This isn't a passive wish, but an active choice to shift his focus from his own troubles to God's past faithfulness.
The Power of Focus:
He doesn't just remember generally; he specifically recalls 'your wonders of old.' This deliberate recollection of God's past miracles, particularly the Exodus, becomes the antidote to his despair. It's a reminder that the God who acted powerfully in the past is the same God who is present now.
Why does the psalmist immediately leap to the 'wonders of old'? There's a specific, monumental event that serves as the bedrock of Israel's faith – and it holds incredible significance for us today.
The phrase 'wonders of old' points directly to the miraculous deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. This event wasn't just a historical footnote; it was the foundational act of God's redemptive power for His people.
A Defining Moment:
The Exodus demonstrated God's supreme power over the gods of Egypt, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His unwavering commitment to His people. It was a display of salvation unlike any other at the time.
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A Pattern of Faithfulness:
By recalling this event, the psalmist grounds his hope. If God could perform such extraordinary acts then – parting seas, bringing plagues, leading His people through the wilderness – He is certainly capable of handling the present crisis. This 'wonder of old' serves as a divine guarantee of His enduring power and love.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the Creator God of Israel, signifying His self-existence, faithfulness, and personal relationship with His people.
pele' · Hebrew Noun
Supernatural acts or miracles performed by God that evoke awe and amazement, demonstrating His sovereignty over creation and history.
This psalm was likely composed during a time of national distress, perhaps the Babylonian Exile, when the people questioned if God had abandoned them. The psalmist's resolve to remember past wonders, particularly the Exodus, served as a powerful antidote to despair, reminding them of God's unchanging faithfulness and power to deliver.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through mighty signs and wonders, culminating in their safe passage through the Red Sea. This event serves as a foundational act of deliverance and divine power in Israel's history.
c. 1400-1000 BC
Period of the Judges
A turbulent era in Israel's history marked by cycles of disobedience, oppression, and divine deliverance. This period likely saw many instances of national crisis and reliance on God's intervention, shaping the collective memory of God's faithfulness and power.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following the death of Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division marked a significant political and spiritual crisis for the nation.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Northern Kingdom of Israel is conquered by the Assyrian Empire, and its population is exiled. This event represented a devastating loss of national sovereignty and a stark warning to Judah.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Southern Kingdom of Judah is conquered by the Neo-Babylonian Empire, Jerusalem and its Temple are destroyed, and a large portion of the population is exiled to Babylon. This was a profound national catastrophe, shaking the people's faith and sense of God's presence.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict Allowing Return
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. An edict is issued allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
This passage directly echoes the 'wonders of old' mentioned in Psalm 77:11, focusing on God's mighty acts of deliverance during the Exodus, which is a key historical event the psalmist is likely recalling.
Isaiah 63:7This verse speaks of 'steadfast love' and God's 'great deeds' which the prophet remembers, paralleling the psalmist's resolution to recall God's past works and wonders as a source of hope.
Lamentations 3:21In a context of deep suffering, the writer also turns to remembrance, stating, 'But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.' This highlights the power of recalling God's faithfulness in dark times, just as Psalm 77:11 suggests.
Philippians 4:8This New Testament passage encourages believers to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, aligning with the psalmist's intentional focus on remembering God's positive and powerful deeds.
pulpitPsalms 77:11: "I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old."
Verse 11. - I will remember the works of the Lord. The same thought is carried on and expressed more clearly in the present and the ensuing verse. Then a special remembrance is made of one particular mercy - the deliverance from Egypt (vers. 13-20). Surely I will remember thy wonders of old (comp. Exodus 15:11).
clarkePsalms 77:11: "I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old."
I will remember the works of the Lord - I endeavor to recollect what thou hast done in behalf of our fathers in past times; in no case hast thou cast them off, when, with humbled hearts, they sought thy mercy.
While we might read "works" and "wonders" as plural, suggesting many past events, the context hints that the psalmist is focusing on one specific, monumental act of deliverance from long ago. This single, powerful memory is the anchor he deliberately chooses to combat his present despair.
After a deep dive into despair, questioning God's faithfulness, the psalmist shifts from his personal anguish to a powerful recollection of God's past deeds. He resolves to focus on and celebrate the mighty acts of deliverance God performed for his people in ages past, particularly the Exodus from Egypt, as a way to rekindle his faith and hope.
After a deep dive into despair, questioning God's faithfulness, the psalmist shifts from his personal anguish to a powerful recollection of God's past deeds. He resolves to focus on and celebrate the mighty acts of deliverance God performed for his people in ages past, particularly the Exodus from Egypt, as a way to rekindle his faith and hope.
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old." — While we might read "works" and "wonders" as plural, suggesting many past events, the context hints that the psalmist is focusing on one specific, monumental act of deliverance from long ago. This…
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Last reviewed October 2026