For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that God's "wondrous things" aren't just miracles, but are the very proof of His singular divinity, setting Him apart from all other imagined powers. It's a reminder that God's greatness isn't just a concept, but is demonstrably seen in His unique works, solidifying His claim as "God alone."
For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David is in deep distress, surrounded by enemies and feeling vulnerable, so he cries out to God for help and protection. He begins by asserting God's unique greatness and power, declaring that no earthly powers or false gods can compare to Him. This reflection on God's nature is presented as the foundation for his pleas for deliverance and guidance in the verses that follow.
When we think of God's greatness, what comes to mind? Is it just abstract power, or something more tangible?
The psalmist declares God is "great" and "does wondrous things." This isn't just about power, but about how God acts in ways that inspire awe. The word for "wondrous things" points to acts that are extraordinary, marvelous, and set apart. These aren't just random occurrences; they are God's powerful interventions in the world, whether in nature, providence, or salvation history. Our faith is strengthened not just by knowing God can do things, but by remembering and reflecting on what He has done.
Think about the Exodus, the creation of the universe, or even the conversion of a hardened heart. These are the "wondrous things" that reveal God's unique power and majesty.
In a world full of 'gods' and competing authorities, where do we place our ultimate allegiance?
The verse culminates with a powerful declaration: "you alone are God." This isn't just a statement of exclusivity, but a profound affirmation of God's singular, unique nature. It contrasts the one true God with all other claimants to divinity—whether they be idols, human philosophies, or even our own desires. The psalmist is asserting that only the Creator possesses the true attributes of God: greatness, power, wisdom, and the ability to perform the truly wondrous.
This truth is vital. It means our worship, our trust, and our hope must be directed solely towards Him. All other powers and authorities are, in comparison, utterly insignificant or even illusory. Recognizing God as the "alone" God calls us to a singular devotion, free from the distractions and deceptions of counterfeit deities.
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Understand the original words
pele · Hebrew Noun
Extraordinary, miraculous, or marvelous acts that surpass human capability. They demonstrate God's sovereignty, power, and intervention in history.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 86:10, highlighting God's greatness and wondrous deeds, specifically in the context of His powerful deliverance of Israel.
2 Kings 19:15This verse parallels the declaration 'you alone are God' by showing Hezekiah acknowledging God's unique divinity amidst foreign gods, reinforcing the exclusivity of God's sovereignty.
Isaiah 44:24This passage speaks to God's creative power and singular ability to perform His will, aligning with the idea that God alone is great and does wondrous things, as no other can compare.
Daniel 4:3Nebuchadnezzar's testimony to God's greatness and marvelous works before being humbled, emphasizes the awe-inspiring nature of God's actions and His supreme dominion, mirroring Psalm 86:10.
Romans 15:9This New Testament passage connects the 'wondrous things' God does with the fulfillment of His promises to the Gentiles, showing how God's unique greatness extends to His redemptive plan for all nations.
pulpitPsalms 86:10: "For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone."
Verse 10. - For thou art great, and doest wondrous things. The" greatness" of God, in reality most clearly manifested by the facts of his ordinary providence, seems to men in general, as it seemed to this psalmist, especially indicated by the "wonders," or "miracles" - נפלאות - which he wrought (comp. Exodus 15:11; Psalm 72:18; Psalm 77:14). Thou art God alone (see 2 Kings 19:15; Isaiah 37:16; Isaiah 44:6, 8).
cambridgePsalms 86:10: "For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone."
10 . Cp. Psalm 77:13-14 ; Psalm 72:18 ; Psalm 83:18 ; and Exodus 15:11 ; Exodus 34:10 .
The verse emphasizes that God's "wondrous things" aren't just miracles, but are the very proof of His singular divinity, setting Him apart from all other imagined powers. It's a reminder that God's greatness isn't just a concept, but is demonstrably seen in His unique works, solidifying His claim as "God alone."
David is in deep distress, surrounded by enemies and feeling vulnerable, so he cries out to God for help and protection. He begins by asserting God's unique greatness and power, declaring that no earthly powers or false gods can compare to Him. This reflection on God's nature is presented as the foundation for his pleas for deliverance and guidance in the verses that follow.
David is in deep distress, surrounded by enemies and feeling vulnerable, so he cries out to God for help and protection. He begins by asserting God's unique greatness and power, declaring that no earthly powers or false gods can compare to Him. This reflection on God's nature is presented as the foundation for his pleas for deliverance and guidance in the verses that follow.
"For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God." — The verse emphasizes that God's "wondrous things" aren't just miracles, but are the very proof of His singular divinity, setting Him apart from all other imagined powers. It's a reminder that God's g…
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Last reviewed October 2026