Psalm 74:9 “We no longer see miraculous signs!” In Psalm 75:1 Asaph says, “you are present, and your miracles confirm that.” Another translation says, “Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near”.

Back in Exodus 7 (click here to read more) we posted about the first time Miracles were performed in Scripture. The hebrew word that was used there Mopet H4159 – môp̄ēṯ, meaning wonder, sign, miracle. But in Hebrew there are a few words to describe wonders and miracles. Here in Psalm 74 the word actually used is Ot H226 – ‘ôṯ, meaning a sign, a miraculous sign, a warning or omen, a mark or remembrance token, or proof. This is actually the same word used with creation on day 4 for the sun, moon and stars in Genesis 1:14 “And Elohim said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, H226 and for seasons, and for days, and years”. This word is also used in this same Psalm, but a few verses earlier in verse 4, “Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns H226 for signs. H226”, meaning the enemies have setup their own emblems and symbols and signs.

You can’t help to notice how Asaph (who is writing these specific Psalms), put a lot of emphasis on miracles and signs. The fact that he says, signs are proof that YHWH is in their midst is true. Later in Psalm 78 he will list many of the miracles that YHWH performed, and sarcastically makes this comment in verse 20, “true, YHWH can give water out of a rock, but can He also give us bread or meat?”. All these miracles just became a norm, and a way to rather test YHWH’s patience. Perhaps the miracles is more a way to test the people’s hearts! As a matter of fact, miracles is really the wrong word to use, because miracles give the idea of some kind of magic. The correct word is Wondrous Works, admiring (wondering) in the awe of YHWH’s Works.

The hebrew word also used in Psalm 78 is Pala H6381 – pālā’, meaning wondrous, marvellous, wonder, wonderful, extraordinary, beyond one’s power, difficult to understand or do. This word was first used with Abraham finding it difficult that he and Sarah will have a child, in Genesis 18:14 “Is H6381 any thing too hard H6381 for YHWH? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” This word is used 3 times here in Psalm 78 and 4 times in Psalm 107.

In common Hebrew today there is another word used for miracle, called Nes H5251 – nēs, which is very similar to the first hebrew word Ot, meaning to lift up, a sign, a signal, a banner. Nes is part of one of the Titles given to YHWH, Nissi, as in Exodus 17:15, “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it YHWH Nissi H5251″, meaning YHWH is my Banner.