Psalms 106:2

Psalm 106:2 (KJV) asks two rhetorical questions that powerfully introduce a historical psalm recounting God's faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness: "Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? [who] can shew forth all his praise?"

Context

Psalm 106 is a historical psalm, a lengthy recounting of Israel's journey from the Exodus to the Babylonian exile, highlighting their repeated rebellion and God's persistent mercy and deliverance. This opening verse serves as a profound preamble, setting the stage by acknowledging the immeasurable greatness of God's deeds and His inherent worthiness of infinite praise. It immediately establishes the psalmist's sense of awe and the human inability to fully grasp or articulate the divine.

Key Themes

• Inexpressible Greatness: The core message is that God's 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." This theme echoes in other scriptures that speak of God's unsearchable nature, such as Psalm 145:3, which states, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."
• Call to Worship and Remembrance: Despite the impossibility of fully expressing God's praise, the verse implicitly serves as a call to continually strive to declare His greatness. It challenges believers to reflect on God's past interventions and miraculous provisions, even if they can only offer a fraction of the praise He deserves. This idea is central to the very purpose of the psalm that follows—to recount God's deeds for remembrance and worship.
• Divine Omnipotence and Sovereignty: The phrase "mighty acts of the LORD" points to God's supreme power and His active involvement in human history. These are not merely good deeds but powerful, impactful interventions that demonstrate His control over creation and His covenant relationship with His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mighty acts" is gevuroth (גְּבֻרוֹת), which signifies powerful deeds, valiant acts, or demonstrations of strength. It emphasizes God's inherent power and His display of that power through His interventions. The terms "utter" (יְדַבֵּר - yĕdabber, to speak, declare) and "shew forth" (יַשְׁמִיעַ - yashmia', to cause to hear, proclaim) highlight the act of proclamation and public declaration. The rhetorical questions suggest that no one can adequately speak or proclaim the full extent of God's power and praise, yet they compel the listener to attempt it.

Practical Application

This verse invites us to cultivate a sense of awe and humility before God. While we can never fully comprehend or articulate the entirety of His greatness, it encourages us to:

• Engage in Continuous Praise: Recognize that our praise, though limited, is a vital response to God's infinite goodness. We should strive to declare His works and praise His name as much as we are able, as exemplified by Psalm 9:1.
• Remember God's Faithfulness: Just as Psalm 106 recounts Israel's history, we are called to remember God's "mighty acts" in our own lives and in the history of salvation, fostering gratitude and trust.
• Live in Awe: Allow the incomprehensible nature of God's power and glory to inspire a deeper reverence and commitment to Him, acknowledging that His ways are indeed past finding out.