Psalm 111:4 says God caused His wonders to be remembered—why do historical records rarely corroborate such miracles?

Historical Context and Psalm 111:4

Psalm 111:4 reads, “He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.” This verse proclaims that extraordinary acts of God are intended to remain in the hearts and minds of those who behold them or learn about them. Historically, such wonders—whether healings, supernatural deliverances, or cosmic signs—have often been passed down through Scripture or oral tradition rather than preserved in secular historical accounts.

Nature of Miracles

Miracles, by definition, are extraordinary interventions that stand outside of the usual order of natural events. They are often designed to point to divine authority or to fulfill a specific purpose (cf. John 20:30–31). These unique acts do not conform to predictable scientific patterns. Consequently, historical documents that focus on natural events, wars, and political records can overlook or downplay occurrences considered supernatural.

Miracles in the Biblical Record

1. Old Testament Examples: Accounts of the ten plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21–22), and Elijah calling down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:36–38) were preserved primarily in Hebrew Scripture. While some early Egyptian documents (like sections of the Ipuwer Papyrus) have been suggested by some to contain echoes of plagues, comprehensive official Egyptian records tend to emphasize Pharaoh’s power and omit humiliating events, offering limited external corroboration.

2. New Testament Examples: The Gospels detail healings (Luke 5:12–13), natural miracles such as the calming of the storm (Mark 4:39), and, above all, the resurrection of Christ (Luke 24:6). Josephus, a Jewish historian from the first century, makes passing references to Jesus and speaks of His crucifixion and the claim that He rose again. While non-biblical records do not always provide detailed confirmations of each miracle, these written histories affirm Jesus’ historicity and acknowledge that His followers declared life-changing supernatural experiences.

Why Historical Records Are Limited

1. Selective Recording Practices: Ancient writers often curated their works to emphasize political or military triumphs. Governments and court historians were selective about events that would victoriously shape the narrative of a king or ruling power. Miraculous accounts beneficial to the reigning authority might be included, while those revealing weakness or humiliation could easily be omitted.

2. Cultural Interpretation: Many ancient scholars would describe miraculous events in mythic or religious terms, without systematically preserving them as factual occurrences if they arose outside their belief systems.

3. Rarity and Witness: Miracles are not daily occurrences; they are exceptional manifestations. When something is rare, it will not typically flood historical annals. Even with eyewitness testimonies, without broad cultural acceptance, such claims might be disregarded by official historians.

Consistency with Archeological and Manuscript Evidence

1. Dead Sea Scrolls: These ancient manuscripts (ca. 3rd century BC to 1st century AD) include copies of multiple biblical books that corroborate the reliability of Old Testament claims, supporting the notion that scriptural texts have been faithfully transmitted.

2. New Testament Manuscripts: Thousands of handwritten copies in Greek, Latin, and other languages demonstrate a stable textual tradition. While these manuscripts primarily preserve the biblical witness rather than external confirmations of miracles, the sheer volume and consistency of key passages underscore that the biblical accounts have been accurately conveyed.

3. Archaeological Discoveries: Sites such as Jericho, where layers of collapsed walls have been interpreted by some scholars as resonating with the biblical conquest narrative, and the Siloam Pool inscription in Jerusalem (which references a water tunnel also mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20) corroborate cultural and historical data. While these do not always list discrete miracles, they validate the biblical stage on which these miracles reportedly occurred.

Anecdotal and Modern-Day Considerations

Reports of current miraculous healings, near-death experiences, and other supernatural events are frequently documented through testimonies rather than official historical compendiums. Medical journals occasionally record unexpected recoveries that doctors deem “inexplicable,” but there is no standardized process for chronicling every possible miracle.

The Heart of Remembrance

Psalm 111:4 asserts that God has caused His wonders to be remembered. Scripturally, this often occurs by means of:

• Oral Tradition: Families and faith communities repeating events.

• Inspired Writings: Prophets and apostles recording divine interventions.

• Liturgical Practice: Reciting psalms and praises in communal worship ensures that these wonders remain alive in the collective memory.

Faith, Historical Evidence, and Revelation

Those who seek absolute proof in every historical record may find the silence of official annals disconcerting. However, miracles are fundamentally theological events rather than mere historical footnotes. Scripture (cf. Hebrews 11:1) teaches that faith and evidence coexist: certain truths are spiritually discerned, though they also intersect with logical and historical considerations. The fact that Scripture has been accurately preserved and confirmed through various lines of evidence does not guarantee that every miraculous claim will bear a secondary external attestation. Instead, biblical teaching indicates that the internal testimony of the Spirit, alongside historical credibility, suffices to bolster confidence in the scriptural record.

Ongoing Relevance

Miracles highlight divine authority, inviting responses of awe and worship. Whether verified by secular historians or not, these wonders are preserved in Scripture for teaching future generations (cf. Romans 15:4). Many argue that the ultimate miracle—the resurrection of Christ—stands well-attested both biblically and historically, serving as a cornerstone for faith and a pattern for understanding other biblical miracles.

Conclusion

Although secular records and non-biblical writings can provide helpful context, it remains characteristic of miracles to defy natural explanations and to be remembered primarily within the community of faith. The promise of Psalm 111:4 that God “has caused His wonders to be remembered” is fulfilled by the preserved testimony of Scripture, the ongoing faith of believers, and the historical-cultural data that aligns with the places and eras of these recorded events. Such an interplay of faith and evidence upholds confidence that the miraculous acts described in the Bible are neither forgotten nor without enduring significance.