Psalm 77:11-12
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The Hebrew text offers an intriguing alternative here: instead of "I will remember," it could also mean "I will proclaim." This subtle shift suggests that remembering God's past deeds isn't just a private comfort, but also an act of public testimony, declaring His enduring power and faithfulness to others.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist has been deeply distressed, wrestling with doubt and despair over his current troubles, feeling abandoned by God. In response to this profound struggle, he shifts his focus from his present pain to God's past faithfulness, resolving to recall and meditate on the mighty acts and incredible deliverances God performed for His people in ancient times, particularly the Exodus.
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by present troubles that you couldn't even see God's past faithfulness? This psalm walks that path.
The psalmist begins in a place of deep distress, crying out to God (Psalm 77:1-9). His spirit is heavy, filled with questions and sorrow. But then, a shift happens. In verse 11, the psalmist makes a conscious decision, a turning point:
A Deliberate Choice
Instead of staying lost in the darkness of the present, he declares, 'I will remember.' This isn't a passive feeling; it's an active choice to recall God's actions. The repetition, 'I will remember... yes, I will remember,' emphasizes this deliberate shift in focus. He's choosing to look back, not to wallow, but to find strength.
The Power of Recalling Past Wonders
He resolves to remember 'the deeds of the LORD' and 'your wonders of old.' This refers to God's powerful and miraculous acts from history, most notably the Exodus from Egypt. By bringing these specific, awe-inspiring events to mind, the psalmist is actively countering his present despair with the reality of God's unchanging power and faithfulness.
What's the big deal about ancient history? For the psalmist, remembering these 'wonders' was the key to unlocking hope.
The phrase 'wonders of old' points directly to God's most significant historical interventions, particularly the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. This wasn't just a one-time event; it was a foundational act that demonstrated God's unique power, His covenant commitment, and His ability to overcome impossible odds.
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A Foundation for Trust
Recalling these 'wonders' served as a powerful anchor for the psalmist's faith. It reminded him that the God who performed such mighty acts in the past was the same God he was facing now. This established a crucial theological principle: God's character and power are unchanging.
Countering Present Doubts
In times of deep trouble, it's easy to feel abandoned or forgotten. By focusing on God's past displays of power and love, the psalmist actively combats these doubts. These 'wonders' weren't just stories; they were evidence of God's enduring faithfulness, providing a solid basis for believing that God could and would act again.
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.
siyach · Hebrew Verb
To think deeply, reflect, or converse with oneself in a low tone; often used in Scripture to describe the process of internalizing God’s Word and works.
The psalmist, likely living through the deep despair of the Babylonian exile, finds solace not in present circumstances but by actively recalling God's mighty acts of deliverance in the past, particularly the Exodus. This act of remembering becomes a powerful act of faith, asserting that the God who rescued Israel from Egypt is the same God who can and will deliver them again.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt through a series of powerful plagues and miraculous interventions, culminating in the parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites conquer the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, establishing their national territory.
c. 1000 BC
David's United Monarchy
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital and consolidates the Israelite tribes into a unified kingdom, ushering in a period of relative peace and prosperity.
c. 931 BC
The Divided Monarchy
Following Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah, often engaging in conflict and political instability.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Northern Kingdom of Israel is conquered by the Assyrian Empire, leading to the deportation of its people and the end of its existence as a distinct nation.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Exile
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, and deport a significant portion of the population into exile, marking a devastating national trauma.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus's Edict and Return from Exile
The Persian king Cyrus the Great allows the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, initiating the post-exilic period.
This passage echoes the 'wonders of old' mentioned in Psalms 77:11 by celebrating God's powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt, highlighting His greatness and unmatched deeds.
Isaiah 43:18-19This prophecy calls the people to remember God's past faithfulness, specifically His act of bringing them out of Egypt, just as the psalmist intends to do in Psalms 77:11 to find hope.
Philippians 4:8While not a historical event, this verse instructs believers to focus their thoughts on 'whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,' which aligns with the psalmist's intentional act of remembering God's positive deeds in Psalms 77:11.
Deuteronomy 6:20-23This passage shows the importance of recounting God's mighty works and wonders to future generations, reinforcing the psalmist's resolve in Psalms 77:11 to actively remember God's past actions as a source of encouragement.
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 Hebrew text offers an intriguing alternative here: instead of "I will remember," it could also mean "I will proclaim." This subtle shift suggests that remembering God's past deeds isn't just a private comfort, but also an act of public testimony, declaring His enduring power and faithfulness to others.
The psalmist has been deeply distressed, wrestling with doubt and despair over his current troubles, feeling abandoned by God. In response to this profound struggle, he shifts his focus from his present pain to God's past faithfulness, resolving to recall and meditate on the mighty acts and incredible deliverances God performed for His people in ancient times, particularly the Exodus.
The psalmist has been deeply distressed, wrestling with doubt and despair over his current troubles, feeling abandoned by God. In response to this profound struggle, he shifts his focus from his present pain to God's past faithfulness, resolving to recall and meditate on the mighty acts and incredible deliverances God performed for His people in ancient times, particularly the Exodus.
"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds." — The Hebrew text offers an intriguing alternative here: instead of "I will remember," it could also mean "I will proclaim." This subtle shift suggests that remembering God's past deeds isn't just a pr…
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Last reviewed October 2026
