Asaph has somehow transitioned from “his problems” to “God’s praise” in this short 20 verse Psalm! From verse 2 (“In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.”) to verse 14, today’s verse (“Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.”), the change is dramatic!

This progression has occurred via a determined effort to “concentrate” on the Lord, favorably so. (Asaph did NOT get bitter about his life experiences!) Via a determination to keep going to the “House of the Lord,” or as Asaph calls it in Psalm 77, “the Sanctuary!” (Yesterday’s verse: “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”) Amen!

This is amazing, though not atypical in the Book of Psalms.

Let’s listen to our little Psalmist worship. Again, Psalm 77:14. “Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.”

The first verb is “doest” (in Hebrew “asah”) which means “to make.” In fact, 653 times it is translated “make” in the King James Bible. And here it depicts “action” that is continual! God is STILL doing wonders!

And the noun “wonders” is “pele,” suggesting “marvelous” deeds, but in the sense of “hard to understand” things as well. “Extraordinary, distinguishing things!”

Then comes the verse’s second half, written to be “parallel” with its first half. “Thou hast declared thy strength among the people.”

“Hast declared” (surprisingly, “yada” in Hebrew, their normal word “to know”) is rendered “to tell” 8 times in the Bible. “To show” 17 times, and “to teach” 5 times. But “to know” 645 times! Hence the idea is “to speak” something “assuredly, without doubts!”

And “strength” is the little simple Hebrew noun “oz.” It means “to prevail, to be victor, to be firm or hard in battle!” It really is a “power, might, boldness” kind of word.

“Among” is the little preposition meaning “in.” We are very close to New Testament theology here, God “in” them!

Wow!

And lastly, “people” translates one of several available words to name the Jews. “Am” has a shade of meaning that involves the idea of “kinship.” It’s also “personal,” sort of like the “folks!” It is even expressed with the word “nation” 17 times in the Old testament!

Now, let’s put all these definitions, the words really, “back together.” And we will get Psalm 77:14, a powerful little compound sentence!

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

But Asaph has in mine one special thing God has done, for Israel. And that Miracle will come into view over the next few days.

Until tomorrow, the Lord willing …

Dr. Mike Bagwell

A child of this great “Wonder-Working” God!