Psalm 77 11

Psalm 77:11 kjv

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Psalm 77:11 nkjv

I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

Psalm 77:11 niv

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm 77:11 esv

I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

Psalm 77:11 nlt

But then I recall all you have done, O LORD;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

Psalm 77 verses

Psalm 77 11 Meaning

Psalm 77:11 is a pivotal declaration where the psalmist, in deep distress and doubt, resolves to intentionally remember God's past acts of power and faithfulness. It signifies a turning point from a state of lament and questioning to a conscious act of faith. By recalling the "deeds of the LORD" and "wonders of old," the psalmist seeks to combat present anxieties and reaffirm God's unchanging character and ability to intervene, primarily referencing His miraculous interventions in the history of His people, most notably the Exodus.

Psalm 77 11 Context

Psalm 77 is a lament of an individual, Asaph, wrestling with deep personal anguish and theological doubt. The opening verses (1-6) express overwhelming sorrow, sleepless nights, and the inability to find comfort, coupled with the recollection of past joy that only intensifies current pain. The heart of Asaph's struggle (vv. 7-9) is theological: he questions if God has forgotten to be gracious, has in anger withheld His compassion, or if His steadfast love has ceased. This internal debate sets the stage for a radical shift. Verse 10 acknowledges this spiritual struggle as his personal grief. Then, verse 11 marks the pivot from lament to intentional remembering. It's a conscious act of the will to recall God's historical interventions, thereby combating despair. The subsequent verses (12-20) expand upon this remembering, particularly recounting the powerful and awe-inspiring miracle of the Exodus, which was Israel's foundational experience of God's redemptive power and serves as a powerful testament to His unwavering character. This active recollection grounds the psalmist in faith and redirects his focus from his circumstances to God's capabilities.

Psalm 77 11 Word analysis

• I will remember: The Hebrew word is zakartī (זָכַרְתִּי) for the first instance and ʾezkerâ (אֶזְכְּרָה) for the second. Both come from the root zakhar (זָכַר), meaning "to remember," "recall," or "call to mind." The tenses used imply a strong, resolute decision. This is not passive recall but an active, deliberate act of the will, essential in the face of the psalmist's deep distress. It is a spiritual discipline of consciously turning one's mind to God's faithfulness.
• the deeds: The Hebrew term is maʿalalê (מַעַלְלֵי), from maʿalal (מַעֲלָל), meaning "deeds," "acts," or "doings." This refers to God's works throughout history, particularly His interventions on behalf of His people. These are not merely actions but specific, powerful displays of His divine agency and power.
• of the LORD: The Hebrew here uses the shortened divine name Yah (יָהּ), which is a poetic, abbreviated form of YHWH (Yahweh). This specific usage adds emphasis and draws attention to the personal, covenant-keeping God. It links these "deeds" directly to His personal character and relationship with His people.
• yes: The Hebrew word kî (כִּי) serves as an intensifier here, equivalent to "surely," "indeed," or "for." It strongly reinforces the psalmist's resolve to remember, connecting the remembrance of God's general "deeds" with His specific "wonders."
• I will remember: (See above, ʾezkerâ from zakhar). The repetition signifies emphasis and renewed commitment. It underlines the importance of this spiritual discipline for the psalmist's restoration.
• your wonders: The Hebrew term is peleʾkā (פֶּלֶאךָ), from peleʾ (פֶּלֶא), meaning "wonder," "marvel," or "miracle." The suffix "-kā" means "your," directly attributing these extraordinary acts to God. "Wonders" denotes events that transcend natural law, pointing directly to divine power and often to God's redemptive work.
• of old: The Hebrew term qeḏem (קֶדֶם) refers to "antiquity," "ancient times," "the past," or "eternity." This emphasizes that the acts are historical, well-established precedents of God's intervention, particularly drawing the mind to the foundational saving acts such as the Exodus and the giving of the Law.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I will remember the deeds of the LORD": This phrase establishes the psalmist's conscious shift. "Remembering" is an active choice to call to mind the entirety of God's saving works for Israel, demonstrating His powerful involvement in history. Using "Yah" connects these general mighty acts to God's personal, covenant relationship.
• "yes, I will remember your wonders of old": This second phrase amplifies and specifies the first. The repetition reinforces the deliberate nature of this spiritual act. "Wonders of old" narrows the focus to particular, often miraculous, divine interventions that happened in times past, serving as tangible proof of God's unique power and faithfulness. This phrase often evokes the Exodus event, where God delivered His people with powerful signs and wonders. The move from general "deeds" to specific "wonders" shows a detailed recollection being brought to mind.

Psalm 77 11 Bonus section

The active "remembering" prescribed here stands in direct contrast to the recurring Biblical warnings against "forgetting" God's works (e.g., in Deuteronomy, as the Israelites were cautioned against forgetting His deliverance once in the Promised Land). This verse showcases that remembering is not just about historical accuracy but about spiritual vitality and a dynamic relationship with God. The act of recalling past acts of God serves as a polemic against the temptation to view present struggles as evidence of God's absence or change, firmly asserting His timeless power and faithfulness. Furthermore, this deliberate "remembering" is often an anticipation of future acts; just as God delivered "of old," He can and will deliver again, ultimately culminating in the greatest deliverance through Christ's death and resurrection, the ultimate "wonder of old" that echoes throughout history. The very structure of the psalm moves from personal lament to universal testimony, implying that this personal spiritual exercise has communal significance, building collective faith by recounting divine faithfulness.

Psalm 77 11 Commentary

Psalm 77:11 marks a profound and redemptive turning point in the psalmist's spiritual battle. Overwhelmed by distress and doubts about God's very nature and presence, Asaph chooses a spiritual discipline as his defense: the deliberate act of remembering. He resolves to call to mind not merely vague notions but specific "deeds" and "wonders" of the Lord from "of old." This is crucial because it counteracts the immediate, painful present with the undeniable evidence of God's past, immutable faithfulness. The repetition of "I will remember" signals a strong, volitional decision, demonstrating that overcoming despair is often an active choice to recalibrate one's focus from problem to Provider. By meditating on God's historical miraculous interventions, like the Exodus, Asaph reaffirms God's unchanging power, character, and commitment to His people, finding a stable foundation for hope amidst his overwhelming grief. This verse offers a timeless strategy for all believers struggling with doubt: ground your faith not in transient feelings or circumstances, but in the irrefutable record of God's steadfast love and mighty acts throughout history.

Practical usage examples:

• When feeling abandoned during a job loss, recall how God provided resources or opened new doors unexpectedly in the past.
• If facing a severe illness and doubting God's care, remember times when prayer brought healing or supernatural strength, or meditate on the healing miracles of Christ.
• When global events cause fear, recall how God has preserved His people through past crises and that He is sovereign over all nations.