Psalms 106:2

KJV

Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? [who] can shew forth all his praise?

KJV (with Strong's)

Who can utter {H4448} the mighty acts {H1369} of the LORD {H3068}? who can shew forth {H8085} all his praise {H8416}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Who can express ADONAI's mighty doings or proclaim in full his praise?

Berean Standard Bible

Who can describe the mighty acts of the LORD or fully proclaim His praise?

American Standard Version

Who can utter the mighty acts of Jehovah, Or show forth all his praise?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 106:2 opens with two profound rhetorical questions: "Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? [who] can shew forth all his praise?" These questions serve as a powerful preamble to a historical psalm, immediately establishing the immeasurable greatness of God's deeds and His inherent worthiness of infinite adoration. They underscore the psalmist's sense of awe and the inherent human inability to fully grasp or articulate the totality of divine power and glory, setting a tone of humility and wonder before recounting Israel's tumultuous history with their faithful God, highlighting both His enduring faithfulness and their repeated rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 106 is a confessional historical psalm, the final psalm in Book IV of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106), and serves as a concluding piece to the preceding Psalm 105, which recounts God's faithfulness to Israel's ancestors. While Psalm 105 focuses on God's covenant faithfulness, Psalm 106 starkly contrasts this with Israel's repeated unfaithfulness and rebellion from the Exodus through the wilderness wanderings, the conquest, the period of the judges, and ultimately to the Babylonian exile. This opening verse functions as a grand, awe-filled introduction, acknowledging the overwhelming nature of God's actions and character before delving into the specific historical narrative. It contrasts the ideal of perfect, comprehensive praise with the reality of Israel's (and humanity's) limited capacity and frequent forgetfulness, thereby setting the stage for a psalm that, despite the rhetorical questions, *attempts* to "utter" and "shew forth" God's praise by recounting His deeds and confessing Israel's sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm likely originates from the post-exilic period, reflecting a community grappling with their past, seeking to understand the cycles of sin, judgment, and restoration that led to their current state. The "mighty acts" (Hebrew: *gevuroth*) would immediately evoke the foundational narratives of Israel's identity: the miraculous Exodus from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the divine provision in the wilderness, and the conquest of Canaan. These events were central to Israel's national memory and covenant theology, serving as proof of Yahweh's unique power and His covenant relationship with His people. The communal nature of the psalm suggests its use in a liturgical setting, perhaps during a time of national repentance or remembrance, where the history was recited to instruct the people, remind them of God's unwavering faithfulness despite their failures, and call them to renewed covenant obedience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several profound themes that resonate throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. First, it emphasizes **Divine Incomprehensibility and Transcendence**, asserting that God's greatness, His works, and His glory are so vast and profound that no human being can fully articulate them. The rhetorical questions underscore the inadequacy of human language and comprehension to encompass the totality of God's "mighty acts" and "praise," echoing sentiments found throughout Scripture, such as in [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - God's Unsearchable Greatness"), which declares, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable." Second, it functions as an implicit **Call to Remembrance and Persistent Praise**. Despite the impossibility of fully expressing God's praise, the verse challenges believers to continually strive to declare His greatness. It compels reflection on God's past interventions and miraculous provisions, even if they can only offer a fraction of the praise He deserves, a foundational aspect of covenant life as seen in [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teach Your Children God's Commands"). Finally, the phrase "mighty acts of the LORD" points to **God's Active Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, highlighting His supreme power and His decisive, impactful involvement in human history, demonstrating His control over creation and His covenant relationship with His people, as celebrated in [Exodus 15:6](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - The Lord's Right Hand, Glorious in Power").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Utter (Hebrew, _mâlal'_):** This primitive root (H4448) signifies to speak or say, often used in a poetic context. In this verse, it implies a thoughtful, deliberate, and comprehensive declaration, rather than a casual mention. The rhetorical question suggests that no one can adequately speak or declare the full extent of God's power and deeds, highlighting the vastness of His "mighty acts" that defy complete human articulation.
* **Mighty acts (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwrâh'_):** This feminine passive participle (H1369) refers to force (literally or figuratively), valor, victory, power, or strength. It denotes deeds of strength, powerful acts, or valiant deeds. It emphasizes God's inherent power and His display of that power through His interventions in history, particularly those demonstrating His sovereignty, deliverance, and judgment. These are not merely good deeds but miraculous, impactful demonstrations of divine strength that shape history and reveal His character.
* **Shew forth (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root (H8085) means to hear intelligently, often with the implication of attention or obedience. Causatively, it means to tell, proclaim, or publish abroad. It carries the nuance of making something widely and publicly known, often with an element of praise, testimony, or instruction. The parallel with "utter" reinforces the idea of public declaration, but "shew forth" adds the dimension of broad dissemination, implying that God's praise should resonate far and wide and be heard by all.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD?":** This rhetorical question immediately establishes the theme of God's immeasurable power and intervention. It suggests that the sheer volume, depth, and profound impact of God's historical deeds—His *gevuroth*—are so vast that no single individual, nor even collective humanity, can fully articulate or comprehend them. The question highlights the overwhelming nature of divine action in history, from creation to redemption, which transcends human capacity for expression, inviting a posture of awe and humility.
* **"[who] can shew forth all his praise?":** This parallel rhetorical question extends the thought from God's deeds to His inherent character and worthiness of adoration. If His mighty acts are inexpressible, how much more is His intrinsic being, His glory, and His infinite worth beyond full comprehension and declaration? It implies that God's praise is not merely a response to His deeds but a recognition of His infinite being, and that no amount of human praise, however fervent or comprehensive, can fully encompass the totality of His worthiness. The implied answer to both questions is "no one," underscoring divine transcendence and the eternal nature of God's glory.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Psalms 106:2 is the **Rhetorical Question**. The psalmist poses two questions not to elicit a direct answer, but to emphasize the impossibility of a full one, thereby powerfully magnifying the subject—the immeasurable greatness of God's "mighty acts" and His "praise." This technique compels the listener to contemplate the vastness of God, fostering a profound sense of awe and humility. Complementing this is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("who can shew forth all his praise?") reiterates and intensifies the idea presented in the first ("Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD?"). This structural repetition reinforces the central theme of God's incomprehensible greatness and the human inability to fully articulate it, adding poetic rhythm and emphasis. The verse also implicitly uses **Hyperbole** or an extreme understatement by suggesting that "all" of God's praise cannot be shown forth, thereby highlighting that even our most earnest and comprehensive efforts will fall short of His true, infinite glory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 106:2 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's transcendence and incomprehensibility. It reminds us that while God has revealed Himself through His "mighty acts" in history and through His character, His full essence and the totality of His glory remain beyond human comprehension and articulation. This does not, however, negate the call to worship; rather, it intensifies it. The verse implicitly challenges believers to continually strive to declare God's greatness and remember His faithfulness, even if their expressions are but a fraction of what He deserves. It sets a foundational principle for worship: praise is an unending endeavor, a lifelong pursuit of knowing and declaring a God whose depths are unsearchable. The psalm that follows, by recounting God's deeds and Israel's responses, becomes an act of "uttering" and "showing forth" God's praise, demonstrating that even partial praise is a vital and commanded response to His infinite goodness.

* [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - God's Unsearchable Greatness")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of God's Wisdom and Knowledge")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Everlasting Power and Understanding")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse invites us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and humility before the God of the universe. It encourages us to move beyond a superficial understanding of God, prompting us to acknowledge that His works and His very being are infinitely greater than our finite minds can grasp or our limited language can express. While we can never fully comprehend or articulate the entirety of His greatness, this truth should not lead to despair or silence, but to a deeper, more fervent, and continuous pursuit of praise. It challenges us to reflect on the "mighty acts" of the LORD in our own lives—His provisions, deliverances, and transformative grace—and in the grand narrative of salvation history. Our praise, though limited, is a vital and commanded response to His infinite goodness, fostering gratitude, trust, and a lifelong commitment to declaring His glory. It calls us to live in a posture of continuous worship, remembering His faithfulness and allowing the incomprehensible nature of His power and glory to inspire a deeper reverence and commitment to Him, compelling us to share His story with others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging the incomprehensibility of God's "mighty acts" deepen your personal worship and sense of awe?**
* **In what specific ways has the LORD demonstrated His "mighty acts" in your life or in the history of the church that you can "utter" or "shew forth" to others?**
* **What does it mean to "shew forth all his praise" when we know we cannot fully do so? How can we strive for this in our daily lives and communal worship, embracing both humility and fervent declaration?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse saying we shouldn't try to praise God fully?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. The rhetorical questions in Psalms 106:2 are not meant to discourage praise or suggest that our efforts are futile. Instead, they serve to emphasize the *magnitude* of God's greatness, His works, and His worthiness of praise. They highlight that God's acts and His inherent glory are so immense that human language and comprehension are inherently inadequate to fully capture them. The psalm itself, by recounting God's deeds and His faithfulness, is an extended act of "showing forth" His praise. Therefore, the verse encourages humility in our worship, acknowledging that we can never exhaust the subject of God's glory, while simultaneously compelling us to engage in a lifelong, ever-deepening pursuit of declaring His greatness. It calls us to praise Him continually and comprehensively, as seen in [Psalm 145:2](/psalms/145-2 "Psalm 145:2 - Daily Praise to God"), even as we recognize the infinite nature of the One we praise.

**What are "mighty acts" in the context of the Psalms?**

Answer: In the context of the Psalms, and particularly Psalm 106, "mighty acts" (Hebrew: *gevuroth*) refer to God's powerful, decisive, and often miraculous interventions in history that demonstrate His strength, sovereignty, and faithfulness to His covenant people. These are not merely good deeds but acts of divine power that establish, protect, and redeem. For Israel, the primary "mighty acts" would immediately bring to mind the miraculous events of the Exodus from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the divine provision in the wilderness (manna, water from the rock), the giving of the Law at Sinai, and the conquest of Canaan. These acts served as foundational testimonies to God's unique power and His active involvement in the lives of His people, setting Him apart from all other gods, as celebrated in passages like [Exodus 15:11](/exodus/15-11 "Exodus 15:11 - Who is like You, Lord?").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rhetorical questions of Psalms 106:2 find their ultimate answer and deepest fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While no human can fully "utter the mighty acts of the LORD" or "shew forth all his praise," Christ, being the perfect image and embodiment of God, perfectly reveals God's "mighty acts" and is the ultimate object of all praise. The Incarnation itself is the greatest "mighty act" of God, where the invisible God became visible, full of grace and truth, and "we have seen his glory" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). All of God's historical interventions, His *gevuroth*, culminate in the redemptive work of Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and ascension—which is the supreme demonstration of divine power and love. Through Christ, who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")), God has definitively spoken and acted. Furthermore, Jesus is the One through whom true praise is now made possible and perfected. By His Spirit, we are empowered to genuinely "shew forth" God's praise, not through our own limited efforts, but by participating in the eternal worship of the Son, who is himself "worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" ([Revelation 5:12](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - The Lamb Is Worthy")). The New Testament declares that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship")). Thus, in Christ, the "mighty acts" of God are fully revealed, and through Him, humanity's praise can finally approach the comprehensive adoration that God deserves.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 11:33

¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Ephesians 1:19

And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Psalms 145:3

Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness [is] unsearchable.

Psalms 145:12

To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

Psalms 139:17

¶ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Psalms 139:18

[If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Job 26:14

Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?