Psalms 77:11
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The psalmist declares, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD." This isn't just a passive recalling, but a deliberate choice to "make mention" of God's acts, suggesting an active engagement with these memories to combat despair. The "wonders of old" are not just general marvels, but likely point to specific, foundational acts like the Exodus, which served as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness.
After a period of deep despair and questioning God's faithfulness, the psalmist shifts his focus from present troubles to past acts of divine power. He resolves to recall God's mighty deeds, particularly the great wonders of old, which the text points to as the Exodus from Egypt. This intentional act of remembrance is a turning point, moving from doubt toward renewed trust in God's unchanging nature.
Ever feel stuck in a rut of sadness, where all you can do is sigh and lament? This psalm shows us a way out.
The psalmist begins in a place of deep sorrow, questioning God's goodness (verses 1-9). But in verse 11, a shift happens. The original Hebrew suggests not just 'remembering,' but actively 'making mention' or 'celebrating' God's deeds. It's a deliberate choice to pivot from dwelling on present pain to recalling past faithfulness. This isn't about ignoring hardship, but about intentionally bringing God's historical actions to the forefront of our minds as a source of strength and hope.
What's the ultimate 'wonder of old' that anchors this psalm's hope?
The 'wonders of old' that the psalmist resolves to remember points overwhelmingly to the Exodus from Egypt. This wasn't just a historical event; it was God's defining act of power, love, and faithfulness in saving His people. By recalling this monumental deliverance, the psalmist grounds his present hope in God's proven character. It’s a reminder that the God who performed such astonishing acts is the same God who can navigate current troubles.
Does God change? This psalm offers a powerful 'no'!
The underlying reason the psalmist finds hope in remembering God's past deeds is the belief that God Himself has not changed. While circumstances shift and present troubles can feel overwhelming, God's power, love, and faithfulness are eternal. Recalling the Exodus, a time when God acted decisively for His people, assures the psalmist that the same God, with the same character and power, is present in his current struggle.
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 written during or after the Babylonian Exile, a time when the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple led many to question if God had abandoned His people. The psalmist's act of remembering the Exodus and other past wonders is a deliberate choice to find hope by recalling God's consistent faithfulness in the face of present disaster.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously liberates the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, a foundational event of national identity and faith.
c. 1446 BC
Crossing the Red Sea
The Israelites pass through the Red Sea on dry ground as God destroys the pursuing Egyptian army, a powerful demonstration of God's might.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wandering
Following the Exodus, the Israelites wander in the wilderness for 40 years, experiencing God's provision and their own faithlessness.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom (Israel)
The Assyrian Empire conquers and deports the northern tribes of Israel, a devastating blow to the nation.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of remembering God's wonders, specifically linking it to the miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea, which is a foundational event often recalled in the Psalms.
Isaiah 43:18-19This prophetic declaration from Isaiah speaks of God doing a 'new thing' and calls Israel to remember His past mighty acts, drawing a parallel to the psalmist's intentional act of remembrance for present encouragement.
Deuteronomy 6:20-23Here, Moses instructs the Israelites to remember and recount God's great deeds (like the Exodus) to their children, highlighting the importance of historical remembrance for faith and understanding God's faithfulness.
Luke 22:19-20In the context of the Last Supper, Jesus institutes a remembrance of His sacrifice, showing how remembering God's redemptive acts, even those yet to be fully realized, is central to the Christian faith and identity.
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.
The psalmist declares, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD." This isn't just a passive recalling, but a deliberate choice to "make mention" of God's acts, suggesting an active engagement with these memories to combat despair. The "wonders of old" are not just general marvels, but likely point to specific, foundational acts like the Exodus, which served as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness.
After a period of deep despair and questioning God's faithfulness, the psalmist shifts his focus from present troubles to past acts of divine power. He resolves to recall God's mighty deeds, particularly the great wonders of old, which the text points to as the Exodus from Egypt. This intentional act of remembrance is a turning point, moving from doubt toward renewed trust in God's unchanging nature.
After a period of deep despair and questioning God's faithfulness, the psalmist shifts his focus from present troubles to past acts of divine power. He resolves to recall God's mighty deeds, particularly the great wonders of old, which the text points to as the Exodus from Egypt. This intentional act of remembrance is a turning point, moving from doubt toward renewed trust in God's unchanging nature.
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c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, and exile much of the population, a period of profound national grief and questioning.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict
The Persian king Cyrus allows the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, marking the beginning of the return.
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old." — The psalmist declares, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD." This isn't just a passive recalling, but a deliberate choice to "make mention" of God's acts, suggesting an active engagement with thes…
