Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

PSALMS 77:14KJV
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What does Psalms 77:14 mean?

Psalms 77:14 declares that God is known for performing extraordinary acts and has made His power clear to people. The verse highlights God’s reputation for doing things that are beyond ordinary human ability, showing His strength openly among many.

The speaker is Asaph, addressing God directly in a time of distress and remembering God’s mighty deeds. This verse is part of Asaph’s effort to encourage himself by recalling how God has acted powerfully in the past, especially when His people needed help. The focus is on God’s ability to do “wonders” and to make His strength visible to everyone, not just in private but among all people.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 77:14

  • God (אֵל, El): This word emphasizes God’s might and strength, not just a general term for deity but one that highlights power, fitting the theme of wonders and strength in the verse.
  • Wonders (פֶּלֶא, pele’): This word refers to acts that are astonishing or miraculous, things that cannot be explained by natural means. The verse is pointing to God’s history of doing things that surprise and amaze people.
  • Strength (עֹז, oz): This word means might or power, often used to describe God’s ability to act decisively. The verse stresses that God’s strength is not hidden but shown clearly to people.

Why Psalms 77:14 matters

  • Psalms 77:14 reminds readers that God’s power is not just a private comfort but something demonstrated openly in history, giving confidence to those who remember His past actions.
  • The verse helps clear up the idea that God is distant or inactive; instead, it emphasizes that God’s wonders and strength have been made public and are part of the shared memory of His people.
  • In the context of the psalm, this verse is a turning point where the speaker moves from despair to hope by focusing on what God has already done, encouraging faith during hard times.

Where else these words appear

“wonders” Hebrew H6382 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
  • Psalms 88:12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
  • Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

“strength” Hebrew H5797 · used in 92 verses

  • Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
  • Psalms 61:3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
  • Proverbs 10:15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.