Illustrations of God's Work in Psalm 78:12
Illustrations of God's Work in Psalm 78:12
Psalm 78:12 reads, "He wrought marvels in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan" [1]. This verse is part of a larger narrative that recounts God's mighty acts on behalf of Israel.
The psalmist reflects on God's power in Egypt and in the wilderness, highlighting the miracles performed during Israel's captivity (Exod 7–12) [6]. The "marvels" or "wonders" refer to the ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt, demonstrating His sovereignty and power.
The phrase "in the sight of their fathers" emphasizes that these events were witnessed by the Israelites' ancestors, making them eyewitnesses to God's mighty deeds [7]. The location "in the field of Zoan" is significant, as Zoan was a city in the northeastern Nile delta, a region associated with Pharaoh's power.
The concept of God's "work" is a recurring theme in the Psalms. Psalm 77:12 (NASB) says, "I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds" [2]. Similarly, Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork" [3]. These passages illustrate the importance of reflecting on God's works as a means of understanding His character and power.
In Psalm 78, the psalmist's purpose is to recount God's wonderful works, not just to list historical events, but to edify the church and encourage faith [5]. The psalmist notes that despite witnessing these marvels, the Israelites forgot God's works and wonders, provoking Him to anger [7].
The Reformed tradition, as represented by John Calvin, emphasizes that God's works are a manifestation of His grace and a demonstration of His power [8]. Calvin notes that human works are only considered good when they are directed towards God and done in faith.
In the Patristic tradition, Augustine interprets the "one work" of God as faith that works through love, citing 1 Timothy 1:5 and Galatians 5:6 [9]. This understanding highlights the importance of faith and love in the Christian life.
The historical setting of Psalm 78 is likely during a time of crisis or desolation, possibly during the Babylonian exile [10]. The psalmist's recounting of God's past works serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness, encouraging trust in the midst of adversity.
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides numerous cross-references for Psalm 78:12, linking it to other biblical accounts of God's mighty acts, such as Exodus 7:1, 3; Deuteronomy 4:34; and Psalms 105:27 [4]. These connections underscore the significance of Psalm 78:12 within the broader biblical narrative.
Sources
- Psalms “They forgot his doings, his wondrous works that he had shown them. -- Psalms 78:11”
- Psalms “Psalms 77:12 (NASB) — I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.”
- Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 78:12 cross-references: Genesis 32:3, Exodus 7:1, Exodus 7:3, Numbers 13:22, Deuteronomy 4:34, Deuteronomy 6:22, Joshua 9:9, 2 Kings 17:7, Nehemiah 9:10, Psalms 78:42, Psalms 78:43, Psalms 105:27, Psalms 106:22, Psalms 135:9, Isaiah 19:11, Isaiah 19:13, Ezekiel 30:14”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 78 (introduction): This psalm is historical; it is a narrative of the great mercies God had bestowed upon Israel, the great sins wherewith they had provoked him, and the many tokens of his displeasure they had been under for their sins. The psalmist began, in the foregoing psalm, to relate God's wonders of old, for his own encouragement in a difficult time; there he broke off abruptly, but here resumes the subject, for the edification of the church, and enlarges much upon it, showing not only how good God had been to them, which was an earnest of further finishing mercy”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 78:12: 78:12-16 The focus shifts from Ephraim (78:9-11) to Israel as a whole as the psalmist reflects on God’s power in Egypt (see 81:4-7) and in the wilderness. 78:12 The miracles are the ten plagues against Egypt that God performed during Israel’s captivity (Exod 7–12).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:11: And forgat his works, and his wonders,.... That is, his wonderful works, the miracles he wrought in their favour, and for their deliverance, afterwards particularly mentioned; these were not only forgotten in the next generation, Jdg 15:10, but in a few years, yea, in a few months, nay, in a few days, when they had been but three days' journey in the wilderness, after their passage through the Red sea, see Exo 15:1, which occasioned the observation of the psalmist, Psa 106:12, that he had showed them; done in their sight, and in the sight of their fathers, as follows”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 72: the good qualities which he produces in them by means of his Spirit. But we must always bear in mind, that the only way in which men are accepted of God in respect of works is, that whatever good works he has conferred upon those whom he admits to favor, he by an increase of liberality honors with his acceptance. For whence their good works, but just that the Lord having chosen them as vessels of honor, is pleased to adorn them with true purity? And how are their actions deemed good as if there was no deficiency in them, but just t”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM XC.(1) (part 12): with a view to one work. For then are works righteous, when they are directed to this one end: "for the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned."(14) There is therefore one work, in which are all, "faith which worketh by love:"(15) whence our Lord's words in the Gospel, "This is the work of God, that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent."(16) Since, therefore, in this Psalm, both old and new life, life both mortal and everlasting, years that are counted for nou”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 78 (introduction): This Psalm, like the seventy-fourth, probably depicts the desolations of the Chaldeans (Jer 52:12-24). It comprises the usual complaint, prayer, and promised thanks for relief. (Psa 79:1-13) (Compare Psa 74:2-7).”