Psalm 77:12, "I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings," expresses a commitment to actively reflect on God's actions and creations. Let's break it down:
"I will also meditate...": This emphasizes a deliberate choice and a future intention. Meditation, in this context, isn't just about emptying the mind, but rather about actively and thoughtfully dwelling on something. It's an active process of reflection and contemplation.
"...on all your work...": "Your work" refers to God's creations, his acts of providence, and everything he has made and continues to do. This includes:
The physical universe: Stars, planets, the earth, nature.
God's acts in history: Deliverance of Israel from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, etc.
God's personal involvement in the speaker's life: Blessings, answers to prayer, moments of guidance.
"...and consider your doings.": This reinforces the idea of careful thought and observation. To "consider" means to examine, analyze, and understand the significance of God's actions. This involves:
Looking beyond the surface: Seeing the purpose and intention behind God's acts.
Recognizing God's character: Understanding that God's actions reveal his attributes like love, justice, power, and mercy.
Applying the lessons learned: Using past experiences of God's faithfulness to build trust and hope in the present and future.
In essence, the verse means:
The psalmist is resolving to actively and thoughtfully reflect on everything God has created and done, both in the world and in their personal life. They want to deeply understand the purpose and meaning behind God's actions, recognizing his character and learning from his faithfulness.
Why is this important?
Strengthens faith: By reflecting on God's past faithfulness, we build confidence in his ability to act in the present and future.
Deepens relationship with God: Meditation on God's works allows us to know him more intimately.
Provides perspective: It helps us to see our current circumstances in the context of God's larger plan.
Cultivates gratitude: When we consider all that God has done, it fosters a spirit of thankfulness.
Overcomes doubt and fear: Remembering God's power and love helps us to trust him even in difficult times.
In the context of Psalm 77, the psalmist is struggling with feelings of abandonment and doubt. This verse represents their conscious decision to actively remember and focus on God's past works as a way to combat those feelings and restore their faith.
Psalm 77:12, "I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings," expresses a commitment to actively reflect on God's actions and creations. Let's break it down:
"I will also meditate...": This emphasizes a deliberate choice and a future intention. Meditation, in this context, isn't just about emptying the mind, but rather about actively and thoughtfully dwelling on something. It's an active process of reflection and contemplation.
"...on all your work...": "Your work" refers to God's creations, his acts of providence, and everything he has made and continues to do. This includes:
The physical universe: Stars, planets, the earth, nature.
God's acts in history: Deliverance of Israel from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, etc.
God's personal involvement in the speaker's life: Blessings, answers to prayer, moments of guidance.
"...and consider your doings.": This reinforces the idea of careful thought and observation. To "consider" means to examine, analyze, and understand the significance of God's actions. This involves:
Looking beyond the surface: Seeing the purpose and intention behind God's acts.
Recognizing God's character: Understanding that God's actions reveal his attributes like love, justice, power, and mercy.
Applying the lessons learned: Using past experiences of God's faithfulness to build trust and hope in the present and future.
In essence, the verse means:
The psalmist is resolving to actively and thoughtfully reflect on everything God has created and done, both in the world and in their personal life. They want to deeply understand the purpose and meaning behind God's actions, recognizing his character and learning from his faithfulness.
Why is this important?
Strengthens faith: By reflecting on God's past faithfulness, we build confidence in his ability to act in the present and future.
Deepens relationship with God: Meditation on God's works allows us to know him more intimately.
Provides perspective: It helps us to see our current circumstances in the context of God's larger plan.
Cultivates gratitude: When we consider all that God has done, it fosters a spirit of thankfulness.
Overcomes doubt and fear: Remembering God's power and love helps us to trust him even in difficult times.
In the context of Psalm 77, the psalmist is struggling with feelings of abandonment and doubt. This verse represents their conscious decision to actively remember and focus on God's past works as a way to combat those feelings and restore their faith.