“For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.”
(Psalm 86:10)
When we observe the grand display and vast expanse of the heavens as well as the infinite beauty and variety and particular natures of all living things on earth, we cannot help but be deeply moved with admiration and worship for its incomprehensible Creator.
Further, when our eyes of faith are opened and our heart is drawn by the Spirit and the Word to the Savior, we must exclaim, “what a glorious God I serve, who has taken me into his Covenant as his child!” How happy are those who put their trust in God, who adore and admire his power, his wisdom, and his goodness that abounds all around us. And how miserable the man who makes such a God his revenging Judge and enemy!
God reveals himself by Scripture as well as various providences as One who is most worthy of our praise and worship. We are told in Psalm 145:10, “All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord, and thy saints shall bless thee.” Psalm 29:2 exhorts us to “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,” and Psalm 66:2, “Sing forth the honor of his name: make his praise glorious.” And finally our text, Psalm 86:9-10, “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great and do wondrous things; thou art God alone.” In fact, the Psalms abound in songs of admiration and praise to God for all his works… even to the personification of the “heavens declaring the glory of God and the firmament showing his handiwork!” (Ps. 19:1).
Indeed, every single aspect of creation, from the greatest to the least, is far above our reasoning to thoroughly understand. God alone is capable of such wondrous works, and everything he has done and continues to do in his world at large and in the wonders of nature in particular is for the purposes of glorifying himself, revealing facets of his character to us, and leading mankind to seek their happiness in him. By such works God bears witness to his own word. And everyone but a fool will consequently say, “Blessed be the LORD GOD of Israel, who only does wondrous things; thou art GOD alone.”
Jeremiah Burroughs rightly said, “God is lifted up here not only above the heathen gods, so that there is none like him amongst them; but he is lifted up above whatever hath any excellency in it; there is none like to thee amongst the mightiest: whoever is mighty and great, or let there be what might and greatness and excellency soever in the world, yet God is infinitely above all.”[1]
Contemplations:
- Shall I ever again willfully or carelessly sin against you, Lord, You who are of such great Majesty? Shall I doubt the power of him that made such a world? Shall I fear man above this great and awesome Creator? Shall I ever again resist or disobey the word and wisdom of him who made and rules such a world?
- You govern the whole world, Lord. Why then should I not be governed by You as well?
- You alone, Lord, have goodness enough to communicate aspects of yourself to all of creation, including that divine goodness that draws and engages and continually delights my simple heart!
- Psalm 66:1, “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of his Name; make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works?” I love observing all your works in your world, Lord, knowing that you rule it all by your power forever. You are truly great and do wonderous things. For you are God alone.
- Let my faith observe you Lord in your daily providences and equally honor you for both the ordinary and the extraordinary ways you work in and through them.
Further References for Psalm 86:10:
Deut. 6:4; Psalm 72:18; Eph. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:5
[1] Jeremiah Burroughs, The Saints Treasury (London: T.C., 1654), 5.
