Psalms 86:10

For thou [art] great, and doest wondrous things: thou [art] God alone.

For thou art great {H1419}, and doest {H6213}{H8802)} wondrous things {H6381}{H8737)}: thou art God {H430} alone.

For you are great, and you do wonders; you alone are God.

For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.

For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: Thou art God alone.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 86:10 (KJV)

Psalm 86:10 is a powerful declaration of God's character, stemming from David's heartfelt prayer for deliverance and guidance. This verse encapsulates core truths about the Almighty, serving as a foundation for trust and worship.

Context

Psalm 86 is a "Prayer of David," a deeply personal and urgent plea for God's mercy and help in a time of distress. Throughout the psalm, David expresses his dependence on God, acknowledging His goodness, faithfulness, and unique power. Verse 10 comes as a burst of praise and theological affirmation, interrupting the plea to declare *why* God is worthy of such supplication and trust: because of who He is.

Key Themes

  • God's Greatness: The declaration "For thou art great" underscores God's inherent greatness and supreme majesty. It speaks to His infinite power, wisdom, and boundless nature, far beyond human comprehension. This greatness is not merely a quality but defines His very being, making Him worthy of all praise and adoration.
  • God's Wondrous Works: The phrase "and doest wondrous things" points to God's active involvement in creation, history, and the lives of individuals. These are His mighty acts and miracles, demonstrating His power and sovereignty over all things, from the grand cosmic order to specific interventions for His people. We see examples of His wondrous works throughout Scripture, from the Exodus to the resurrection of Christ.
  • God Alone: The emphatic statement "thou art God alone" is a profound declaration of monotheism. It asserts God's singular and unrivaled divinity, distinguishing Him from all false gods and idols. There is no other deity comparable to Him; He is the sole, true, and living God. This truth is foundational to biblical faith, as highlighted in passages like Isaiah 45:5, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "great" is gadol (ื’ึธึผื“ื•ึนืœ), which signifies not just large in size, but also mighty, magnificent, and important. "Wondrous things" comes from pele (ืคึถึผืœึถื), meaning a miracle, a marvel, or something extraordinary. The phrase "God alone" is Elohim levaddekha (ืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื ืœึฐื‘ึทื“ึถึผืšึธ), literally "God, You by Yourself," powerfully emphasizing His unique and exclusive divine nature.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Foundation for Trust: When we face difficulties, remembering that our God is great, does wondrous things, and is God alone provides a solid foundation for trust and hope. He is capable of handling any situation.
  • Call to Worship: Acknowledging God's unique attributes naturally leads to worship and praise. Our worship is grounded in His incomparable nature, not just what He does for us.
  • Distinction from the World: In a world filled with competing ideologies and false gods (whether literal idols or modern-day pursuits like wealth, power, or fame), this verse calls us back to the singular truth of God's unmatched sovereignty.

Like David, we are encouraged to declare God's greatness and rely on His wondrous power, knowing that He is truly God alone, great and greatly to be praised.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 37:16

    O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou [art] the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

  • Mark 12:29

    And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

  • Psalms 72:18

    ยถ Blessed [be] the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:4

    ยถ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.

  • 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?

  • Deuteronomy 32:39

    ยถ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

  • Isaiah 44:6

    Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.