Psalms 77:12

KJV

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will meditate {H1897}{H8804)} also of all thy work {H6467}, and talk {H7878}{H8799)} of thy doings {H5949}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will meditate on your work and think about what you have done.

Berean Standard Bible

I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.

American Standard Version

I will meditate also upon all thy work, And muse on thy doings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 77:12 marks a profound turning point in the psalmist's spiritual journey, shifting from deep lament and questioning God's faithfulness to a deliberate and resolute commitment to recall and proclaim the Lord's mighty deeds. This verse encapsulates a vital spiritual discipline: the intentional act of meditating on God's past works and articulating His providential interventions, serving as a powerful antidote to despair and a cornerstone for renewed faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 77 opens with the psalmist, Asaph, in profound distress, crying out to God day and night, unable to find comfort or sleep ([Psalms 77:1-3](/psalms/77-1 "Psalms 77:1-3 - Asaph's Deep Distress")). He recounts his overwhelming sorrow and his spirit's faintness, questioning if God has forgotten to be gracious or if His compassion has utterly failed ([Psalms 77:7-9](/psalms/77-7 "Psalms 77:7-9 - Questioning God's Faithfulness")). Verse 10 signals a pivotal shift, where the psalmist declares, "This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High." Psalms 77:12 then elaborates on this resolve, detailing the specific actions of meditation and proclamation that will lead him out of his spiritual funk. This intentional remembrance culminates in the latter half of the psalm, where Asaph recounts God's miraculous deliverance of Israel, particularly the Exodus, as a testament to His enduring power and faithfulness ([Psalms 77:13-20](/psalms/77-13 "Psalms 77:13-20 - God's Mighty Acts of Deliverance")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalmist, Asaph, was a prominent Levite and one of David's chief musicians, responsible for leading worship and composing psalms for the community ([1_chronicles/16-4-5](/1_chronicles/16-4-5 "1 Chronicles 16:4-5 - Asaph's Role in Worship")). This suggests that Psalm 77, while deeply personal, also held a liturgical function, intended to guide the community through periods of national distress or doubt. The emphasis on remembering God's "works" and "doings" resonates deeply with Israel's covenantal history, where the retelling of God's mighty acts, especially the Exodus from Egypt ([exodus/1-1](/exodus/1 "Exodus - The Book of Exodus")), was central to their identity and faith. In ancient Israel, communal memory of divine intervention was a foundational element of their worship and a source of national hope, particularly when facing present hardships or perceived abandonment by God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Intentional Remembrance**, highlighting the active choice to recall God's past interventions as a counter to present despair. This is not passive recollection but a deliberate spiritual discipline. It also emphasizes the **Transformative Power of Meditation**, where deep contemplation of God's character and actions allows truth to penetrate and reframe one's perspective, moving from doubt to renewed trust. Furthermore, the verse introduces the theme of **Proclamation and Testimony**, demonstrating that internal reflection should lead to outward expression, as speaking of God's deeds reinforces personal faith and serves as a public witness to His goodness. Ultimately, Psalms 77:12 illustrates a pathway for **Overcoming Doubt and Despair**, offering a model for believers to navigate their own seasons of questioning by focusing on God's unchanging faithfulness, as seen in His historical "works" and "doings."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Meditate (Hebrew, _hāgâ'_):** This word carries a rich semantic range, often translated as "to muse," "to mutter," "to ponder," or "to contemplate deeply." Unlike a fleeting thought, _hāgâ'_ implies a thorough, often vocalized, rumination—a chewing over of truth until it is fully absorbed. It suggests an active, engaged mental and spiritual exercise, not passive reflection, that allows God's truth to penetrate and transform one's inner being.
* **Work (Hebrew, _maʿăśeh'_):** This term refers to God's active accomplishments, His deeds, and His creative acts. It encompasses His sovereign interventions in history, His acts of creation, providence, and particularly His redemptive acts on behalf of His people. It speaks to the tangible evidence of God's power and faithfulness.
* **Doings (Hebrew, _pĕʿullâ'_):** Similar to _maʿăśeh'_, _pĕʿullâ'_ specifically denotes God's active operations, His achievements, or the outcome of His labor. While _maʿăśeh'_ might emphasize the act itself, _pĕʿullâ'_ often points to the effect or result of God's activity, underscoring the impact and significance of His interventions. Together, "work" and "doings" provide a comprehensive scope of God's mighty acts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will meditate also of all thy work":** This clause reveals the psalmist's intentional decision to engage in deep, contemplative reflection on God's entire body of work. The phrase "all thy work" suggests a comprehensive consideration of God's actions throughout history, from creation to His specific interventions in Israel's past. This is a deliberate turning inward, a spiritual discipline aimed at reorienting the psalmist's focus from his present distress to the eternal, unchanging power and faithfulness of God, as evidenced by His deeds.
* **"and talk of thy doings":** This second clause moves from internal contemplation to external expression. The psalmist resolves not only to ponder God's mighty acts but also to articulate them, to speak of them openly. "Talk of thy doings" implies a proclamation, a testimony, or a declaration. This outward expression serves multiple purposes: it reinforces the truth for the psalmist himself, solidifies his faith, and serves as a witness to others, potentially encouraging the community or reminding himself of God's goodness in a verbalized form. It bridges the gap between personal spiritual discipline and communal witness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 77:12 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where "meditate... of all thy work" is echoed and reinforced by "talk of thy doings." The two clauses express similar ideas using different but related terms, emphasizing both the internal processing and the external proclamation of God's mighty acts. This creates a rhythmic balance and underscores the holistic nature of the psalmist's resolution. The verse also demonstrates a clear **Narrative Arc** within the psalm, marking the pivotal turn from lament and questioning to resolution and remembrance. This shift is a form of **Anagnorisis** or recognition, where the psalmist gains a crucial insight that transforms his perspective. Furthermore, the psalmist's deliberate choice to engage in these actions highlights **Volition** and **Spiritual Discipline**, presenting these acts not as passive occurrences but as conscious, active steps toward spiritual restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 77:12 offers a profound theological lesson: in times of spiritual darkness or overwhelming doubt, the pathway to renewed faith often lies in a deliberate re-engagement with God's historical faithfulness. The psalmist's resolve to "meditate" and "talk" about God's works is an act of spiritual warfare against despair, anchoring his soul in the unchanging character of a God who has acted powerfully in the past and will continue to do so. This proactive remembrance is not merely an intellectual exercise but a heart-transforming discipline that re-establishes trust and reorients perspective towards God's sovereignty and goodness, even when His presence feels distant. It reminds us that our present circumstances do not negate God's past demonstrations of power and love.

* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - Teaching God's Commands Diligently")
* [Psalm 145:4](/psalms/145-4 "Psalm 145:4 - Declaring God's Works to Generations")
* [Philippians 4:8](/philippians/4-8 "Philippians 4:8 - Thinking on What is True and Excellent")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 77:12 provides a timeless blueprint for navigating personal crises and strengthening faith in the face of adversity. When anxiety, uncertainty, or spiritual dryness threaten to overwhelm us, we are called to emulate the psalmist's intentional shift. This involves cultivating a habit of deliberate remembrance, actively recalling instances of God's faithfulness in our own lives and in the grand narrative of biblical history. It also necessitates engaging in deep, transformative meditation, setting aside time to ponder God's attributes, His unwavering promises, and His past acts of deliverance. This spiritual discipline, far from being passive, is an active wrestling with truth that can transform fear into faith. Finally, the verse challenges us to move beyond internal reflection to outward proclamation, sharing our testimony and speaking of God's "doings" to encourage others and reinforce our own convictions. This holistic approach anchors our souls and renews our perspective, even amidst profound distress.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "works" or "doings" of God, either in your personal life or in biblical history, can you intentionally meditate on today?**
* **How does the act of "talking" about God's faithfulness to others impact your own faith and perspective?**
* **What spiritual disciplines can you implement to shift your focus from present anxieties to God's unchanging character and past interventions?**

### FAQ
**How does meditating on God's past works help overcome present despair?**

Answer: Meditating on God's past works helps overcome present despair by reminding us of His unchanging character, power, and faithfulness. When we are overwhelmed by current difficulties, our perspective can become narrowed, leading us to doubt God's presence or care. By deliberately recalling His mighty acts—such as the deliverance of Israel from Egypt ([exodus/14-13-14](/exodus/14-13-14 "Exodus 14:13-14 - The Lord Will Fight For You")) or His countless provisions throughout history—we re-anchor our souls in the truth of who God is. This active remembrance shifts our focus from our limited circumstances to His infinite capabilities, fostering hope and trust, and demonstrating that the God who acted in the past is the same God who is present with us now ([hebrews/13-8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 77:12, with its emphasis on remembering and proclaiming God's mighty "works" and "doings," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The greatest "work" of God is not merely the Exodus or creation, but the Incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of His Son, which constitutes the definitive act of salvation for humanity. When the psalmist resolves to meditate on God's deeds, he foreshadows the New Testament call to fix our eyes on Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith" ([hebrews/12-2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")). Christ Himself is the ultimate demonstration of God's power, love, and faithfulness, His life and sacrifice being the "doings" that reconcile us to God ([2_corinthians/5-19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). Therefore, to "meditate" on God's work now means to contemplate the finished work of Christ on the cross and His triumphant resurrection ([romans/4-25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus Delivered Up for Our Offenses and Raised for Our Justification")). And to "talk of thy doings" becomes the joyous proclamation of the Gospel, testifying to the good news of salvation found in Him alone, fulfilling the mandate to preach Christ crucified ([1_corinthians/1-23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Preaching Christ Crucified")). In Christ, all of God's mighty acts culminate, providing the ultimate anchor for our souls in times of despair and the eternal wellspring for our praise.

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

Psalms 71:24

My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

Psalms 145:11

They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

Deuteronomy 6:7

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Psalms 105:2

Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.

Psalms 145:4

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

Psalms 104:34

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Luke 24:14

And they talked together of all these things which had happened.