What Does Psalm 86:8 Mean in the King James?

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

Psalm 86:8 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The LORD’s difference is visible in what he does: no other power produces works like his.

THE MEANING

The verse speaks into your present field of powers and says none matches the LORD in what he does. His uniqueness is not left as an abstract title; it is visible in his works. The acts themselves bear the difference.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It dissolves the belief that the LORD is merely one interchangeable power among many.

THE ROOT

מַעֲשֶׂיךָ

maʿasekha

GROWS FROM

עשה

to do, make, or bring about

The word for “works” grows from the same root as the act of doing: Hebrew holds the deed together with the doing that brings it forth. The verse places the LORD’s own works beside the claim that none is like him, making his distinctiveness visible in what he does.

ALSO GROWS

ʿoseh: one who does or makes

עֹשֶׂה

This branch keeps the doer connected to the deeds that reveal the LORD’s uniqueness.

maʿaseh: a deed, work, or action

מַעֲשֶׂה

This noun is the singular form behind “thy works,” tying each result to the act that brings it about.

THE PATTERN

The LORD’s incomparable nature is made visible through works no other power can match.

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11 · KJVThe verse joins the question of who is like the LORD to the wonders he does.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

Psalm 72:18 · KJVThe LORD’s singularity is expressed through the wondrous acts only he does.

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Revelation 15:3 · KJVThe song names the LORD’s works as great and marvellous, showing his character through what he does.

THE THREAD

The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

Psalm 111:2 · KJV

“Works” here comes from the same Hebrew root, ⁨עשה⁩ (ʿasah), meaning to do or make. Psalm 86:8 says no works compare to the LORD’s; this verse calls those works great and worth searching out.

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