Psalm 78 43

Psalm 78:43 kjv

How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan.

Psalm 78:43 nkjv

When He worked His signs in Egypt, And His wonders in the field of Zoan;

Psalm 78:43 niv

the day he displayed his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the region of Zoan.

Psalm 78:43 esv

when he performed his signs in Egypt and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.

Psalm 78:43 nlt

They did not remember his miraculous signs in Egypt,
his wonders on the plain of Zoan.

Psalm 78 verses

Psalm 78 43 Meaning

Psalm 78:43 recounts God's powerful miraculous deeds performed in Egypt, specifically highlighting the "signs" and "wonders" demonstrated in the region of Zoan. The verse functions as a pointed reminder to Israel of the undeniable evidence of God's mighty intervention on their behalf, preceding the lament in the surrounding psalm about their failure to remember these acts of divine power and redemption. It underscores God's sovereignty over creation and nations, displayed through the Exodus plagues which served as judgment on Egypt and its deities while liberating His people.

Psalm 78 43 Context

Psalm 78 is a "Maskil," a didactic psalm by Asaph, primarily concerned with teaching future generations from Israel's past failures and God's consistent faithfulness. The psalm recounts Israel's history from the Exodus to David, highlighting a repetitive cycle: God performs mighty acts, Israel rebels, God brings judgment or delivers, Israel forgets and repeats rebellion. Verse 43 serves as a specific recall within a longer section (verses 40-51) enumerating the Exodus plagues. Immediately preceding it, verse 42 states, "They did not remember His power," making verse 43 the detailed answer to what they failed to remember. It vividly paints the historical events God desired Israel to keep firmly in mind. Historically, Zoan (ancient Tanis in Greek texts) was a significant city in the eastern Nile Delta, serving as a royal residence and capital for some Egyptian pharaohs during the New Kingdom period. This makes it a geographically precise, notable location for God's demonstration of power to the entire nation.

Psalm 78 43 Word analysis

• "How he had wrought" (אֲשֶׁר שָׂם - ’asher sam): More accurately, "Who set" or "who performed/appointed." This phrase emphasizes the definitive, deliberate, and powerful action of God as the agent behind these events. It speaks of intentional divine orchestration, not mere happenstance.
• "his signs" (אֹתוֹתָיו - ’otov): Plural of ’ot, meaning a distinguishing mark, token, ensign, or supernatural miracle. These were not simply impressive events but carried profound theological meaning. They were indicators or demonstrations of God's presence, authority, power, and sovereign will, designed to communicate truth and validate His messengers.
• "in Egypt" (בְּמִצְרָיִם - b’Mitsrayim): Refers to the land of Egypt, the geopolitical superpower of the era. The specificity grounds these divine acts in a verifiable historical context and emphasizes their public nature, witnessed by an entire empire and its inhabitants.
• "and his wonders" (וּמֹפְתָיו - u’Mophtav): Plural of mopheth, meaning a wonder, miracle, or portent. Often paired with ’ot (signs), mopheth typically emphasizes the extraordinary, awe-inspiring, and fear-inducing aspects of God's powerful deeds. They evoke marvel and astonishment, affirming divine origin and power, often carrying a prophetic or confirmative function.
• "in the field of Zoan" (בִּשְׂדֵה צֹעַן - b’Sedeh Tso’an):
  • "field of Zoan": This refers to the fertile plains or general region surrounding the city of Zoan. It implies that the plagues extended beyond just the city walls, affecting the broader agricultural lands and populace, signifying a widespread and comprehensive judgment.
  • "Zoan": A significant royal city in the Nile Delta, believed to have been a prominent pharaonic residence during the New Kingdom, potentially during the Exodus period. Naming Zoan adds geographical precision and suggests that these were not vague, mythical occurrences, but distinct acts of God performed in a specific, known, and powerful human center, making His power evident to the very seat of Pharaoh's authority.

Words-group Analysis:

• "How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan": The parallelism of "signs in Egypt" and "wonders in the field of Zoan" reinforces the breadth, depth, and tangible reality of God's intervention. By naming both the general land of Egypt and the specific location of Zoan, the psalmist grounds these miraculous acts in a concrete historical setting, leaving no room for doubt about their authenticity. This phrasing highlights God’s meticulous and comprehensive demonstration of power, targeting both the national identity (Egypt) and the specific administrative and spiritual centers (Zoan), thereby directly confronting Pharaoh and the pantheon of Egyptian gods in their perceived domains.

Psalm 78 43 Bonus section

The selection of "Zoan" is highly significant beyond mere geographical location. It emphasizes that God's confrontation with Pharaoh was direct, in the heart of the kingdom. Zoan was likely a major royal city where Pharaoh might have resided, making it a critical hub for Egypt's administration, military, and religious life. Therefore, performing "signs and wonders" there implies a very public, unavoidable, and impactful demonstration of divine power against the very core of the Egyptian establishment and its pantheon of gods. This intentional geographical precision strengthens the psalmist's message about God's supremacy over the world's most formidable empires and their deities, reinforcing the historical truth and the profound theological implications of the Exodus event.

Psalm 78 43 Commentary

Psalm 78:43 succinctly encapsulates the powerful, decisive interventions of the Lord in delivering Israel from Egyptian bondage. The repeated terms "signs" and "wonders" underscore the dual nature of the plagues: they were both symbolic actions (signs) conveying spiritual truth about God's supremacy over all false deities and overwhelming displays of power (wonders) meant to elicit awe and fear. By specifying "Egypt" and the "field of Zoan," the psalmist not only anchors the narrative in historical reality but also intensifies the imagery of divine judgment against a defiant superpower and its entrenched idolatry. This verse stands as a powerful testament to God's unparalleled might and fidelity, designed to confront Israel's forgetfulness and encourage future generations to remember and obey. It teaches that God acts in history to achieve His redemptive purposes and holds nations accountable for their rejection of His authority. For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder to reflect on God's mighty acts in salvation history, particularly the ultimate sign and wonder in Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, which far surpass even the Exodus in redemptive scope. Just as Israel was prone to forget God's visible deeds, so believers must continually recall God’s faithfulness, especially when faced with doubt or trials, remembering that the God who defeated Egypt is the same God who faithfully guides His people today.