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Psalms 77

BSB·20 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1I cried outקוֹלִ֣יqō·w·lî — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהִ֣ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; I cried aloudוְאֶצְעָ֑קָהwə·’eṣ·‘ā·qāh — to cry out, call for help, shriekH6817 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Godאֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → to hearוְהַאֲזִ֥יןwə·ha·’ă·zîn — to listen, give ear, hear attentivelyH238 — Full Word Study → meאֵלָֽי׃’ê·lāy — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. 2In the dayבְּי֥וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of troubleצָרָתִי֮ṣā·rā·ṯî — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study → I soughtדָּ֫רָ֥שְׁתִּיdā·rā·šə·tî — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study → the Lordאֲדֹנָ֪י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →; through the nightלַ֣יְלָהlay·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → my outstretched handsיָדִ֤י׀yā·ḏî — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → did not grow wearyתָפ֑וּגṯā·p̄ūḡ — to be numb, faint, or slackH6313 — Full Word Study →; my soulנַפְשִֽׁי׃nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → refusedמֵאֲנָ֖הmê·’ă·nāh — To refuse, reject, or withhold consentH3985 — Full Word Study → to be comfortedהִנָּחֵ֣םhin·nā·ḥêm — to comfort, console, or show compassion; to repent or change one's mindH5162 — Full Word Study →. 3I remembered Youאֶזְכְּרָ֣ה’ez·kə·rāh — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֣ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, and I groanedוְאֶֽהֱמָיָ֑הwə·’e·hĕ·mā·yāh — to roar, murmur, or sound with tumultH1993 — Full Word Study →; I musedאָשִׂ֓יחָה׀’ā·śî·ḥāh — to muse, meditate, speak, or communeH7878 — Full Word Study → and my spirit grew faintוְתִתְעַטֵּ֖ףwə·ṯiṯ·‘aṭ·ṭêp̄ — to wrap, cover, or overcome with darkness/weaknessH5848 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 4You have keptאָ֭חַזְתָּ’ā·ḥaz·tā — to grasp, seize, or take hold ofH270 — Full Word Study → my eyesעֵינָ֑י‘ê·nāy — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → from closingשְׁמֻר֣וֹתšə·mu·rō·wṯ — Waking, sleeplessness, vigilanceH8109 — Full Word Study →; I am too troubledנִ֝פְעַ֗מְתִּיnip̄·‘am·tî — to step, tread, move aboutH6470 — Full Word Study → to speakאֲדַבֵּֽר׃’ă·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study →. 5I consideredחִשַּׁ֣בְתִּיḥiš·šaḇ·tî — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → the daysיָמִ֣יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of oldמִקֶּ֑דֶםmiq·qe·ḏem — East; ancient times; beforeH6924 — Full Word Study →, the yearsשְׁ֝נ֗וֹתšə·nôt̲ — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → long in the pastעוֹלָמִֽים׃‘ō·w·lā·mîm — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. 6At nightבַּ֫לָּ֥יְלָהbal·lā·yə·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → I rememberedאֶֽזְכְּרָ֥ה’ez·kə·rāh — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → my songנְגִינָתִ֗יnə·ḡî·nā·ṯî — stringed instrument music; instrumental musicH5058 — Full Word Study →; inעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → my heartלְבָבִ֥יlə·ḇā·ḇî — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study → I musedאָשִׂ֑יחָה’ā·śî·ḥāh — to muse, meditate, speak, or communeH7878 — Full Word Study →, and my spirit ponderedוַיְחַפֵּ֥שׂway·ḥap·pêś — to search diligently, to seek out, to disguise oneselfH2664 — Full Word Study →: 7Will the Lordאֲדֹנָ֑י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → spurn us foreverהַֽ֭לְעוֹלָמִיםhal·‘ō·w·lā·mîm — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study → and neverוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → show His favor againלִרְצ֣וֹתlir·ṣō·wṯ — to accept, be pleased with, delight inH7521 — Full Word Study →? 8Is His loving devotionחַסְדּ֑וֹḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → goneהֶאָפֵ֣סhe·’ā·p̄ês — to cease, end, be finished, fail, vanishH656 — Full Word Study → foreverלָנֶ֣צַחlā·ne·ṣaḥ — perpetual strength; eternal enduranceH5331 — Full Word Study →? Has His promiseאֹ֝֗מֶר’ō·mer — Word, speech, promise, or matterH562 — Full Word Study → failedגָּ֥מַרgā·mar — to complete, finish, or bring to an endH1584 — Full Word Study → for all timeלְדֹ֣רlə·ḏōr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →? 9Has Godאֵ֑ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → forgottenהֲשָׁכַ֣חhă·šā·ḵaḥ — to forget, neglect, lose memory ofH7911 — Full Word Study → to be graciousחַנּ֣וֹתḥan·nō·wṯ — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study →? Has His angerבְּ֝אַ֗ףbə·’ap̄ — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → shut offקָפַ֥ץqā·p̄aṣ — to spring up, skip, leap, or shutH7092 — Full Word Study → His compassionרַחֲמָ֥יוra·ḥă·māw — Compassion, mercy, womb; deep emotional affectionH7356 — Full Word Study →?” Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 10So I saidוָ֭אֹמַרwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I am grievedחַלּ֣וֹתִיḥal·lō·w·ṯî — to be sick, weak, or afflicted; to entreat or beseechH2470 — Full Word Study → that the right handיְמִ֣יןyə·mîn — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → of the Most Highעֶלְיֽוֹן׃‘el·yō·wn — Most High, elevated, supremeH5945 — Full Word Study → has changedהִ֑יאhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study →.” 11I will rememberאַזְכִּירʾaz·kīr — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → the worksמַֽעַלְלֵי־ma·‘al·lê- — deed, work, or actionH4611 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיָ֑הּyāh — The Lord, Yahweh abbreviatedH3050 — Full Word Study →; yesכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, I will rememberאֶזְכְּרָ֖ה’ez·kə·rāh — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → Your wondersפִּלְאֶֽךָ׃pil·’e·ḵā — Wonder, marvel, or miraculous thingH6382 — Full Word Study → of oldמִקֶּ֣דֶםmiq·qe·ḏem — East; ancient times; beforeH6924 — Full Word Study →. 12I will reflectוְהָגִ֥יתִיwə·hā·ḡî·ṯî — to mutter, meditate, speak quietlyH1897 — Full Word Study → on allבְכָל־ḇə·ḵāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → You have doneפָּעֳלֶ֑ךָpā·‘o·le·ḵā — work, deed, or actionH6467 — Full Word Study → and ponderאָשִֽׂיחָה׃’ā·śî·ḥāh — to muse, meditate, speak, or communeH7878 — Full Word Study → Your mighty deedsוּֽבַעֲלִ֖ילוֹתֶ֣יךָū·ḇa·‘ă·lî·lō·w·ṯe·ḵā — deed, action, or workH5949 — Full Word Study →. 13Your wayדַּרְכֶּ֑ךָdar·ke·ḵā — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱ֭לֹהִים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, is holyבַּקֹּ֣דֶשׁbaq·qō·ḏeš — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study →. Whatמִי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → godאֵ֥ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → is so great as our God? 14Youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are the Godהָ֭אֵלhā·’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → who worksעֹ֣שֵׂה‘ō·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → wondersפֶ֑לֶאp̄e·le — Wonder, marvel, or miraculous thingH6382 — Full Word Study →; You displayהוֹדַ֖עְתָּhō·w·ḏa‘·tā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → Your strengthעֻזֶּֽךָ׃‘uz·ze·ḵā — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → among the peoplesבָעַמִּ֣יםḇā·‘am·mîm — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 15With powerבִּזְר֣וֹעַbiz·rō·w·a‘ — arm; power, strength, mightH2220 — Full Word Study → You redeemedגָּאַ֣לְתָּgā·’al·tā — to redeem; to act as kinsman-redeemerH1350 — Full Word Study → Your peopleעַמֶּ֑ךָ‘am·me·ḵā — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, the sonsבְּנֵי־bə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Jacobיַעֲקֹ֖בya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → and Josephוְיוֹסֵ֣ףwə·yō·w·sêp̄ — God will increaseH3130 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 16The watersמַּ֨יִם׀ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → saw Youרָ֘א֤וּךָrā·’ū·ḵā — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים’ĕlō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; the watersמַּ֣יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → saw Youרָא֣וּךָrā·’ū·ḵā — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → and swirledיָחִ֑ילוּyā·ḥî·lū — To twist, whirl, dance, writhe; to be in pain or travailH2342 — Full Word Study →; evenאַ֝֗ף’ap̄ — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → the depthsתְהֹמֽוֹת׃ṯə·hō·mō·wṯ — the deep, abyss, primordial watersH8415 — Full Word Study → were shakenיִרְגְּז֥וּyir·gə·zū — to tremble, shake, or be disturbedH7264 — Full Word Study →. 17The cloudsעָב֗וֹת‘ā·ḇō·wṯ — Cloud, thick cloud, or cloud massH5645 — Full Word Study → poured downזֹ֤רְמוּzō·rə·mū — to flood, sweep away, pour out violentlyH2229 — Full Word Study → waterמַ֨יִם׀ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →; the skiesשְׁחָקִ֑יםšə·ḥā·qîm — cloud; dust; heaven; skyH7834 — Full Word Study → resoundedנָתְנ֣וּnā·ṯə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → with thunderק֭וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study →; Your arrowsחֲ֝צָצֶ֗יךָḥă·ṣā·ṣe·ḵā — Arrow; projectile weapon or shaftH2671 — Full Word Study → flashed back and forthיִתְהַלָּֽכוּ׃yiṯ·hal·lā·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. 18Your thunderרַעַמְךָ֨׀ra·‘am·ḵā — Thunder; the sound of divine powerH7482 — Full Word Study → resoundedק֤וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → in the whirlwindבַּגַּלְגַּ֗לbag·gal·gal — wheel; circular object or cycleH1534 — Full Word Study →; the lightningבְרָקִ֣יםḇə·rā·qîm — Lightning; a flashing or gleaming swordH1300 — Full Word Study → lit upהֵאִ֣ירוּhê·’î·rū — to shine, give light, become brightH215 — Full Word Study → the worldתֵּבֵ֑לtê·ḇêl — The inhabited earth; the worldH8398 — Full Word Study →; the earthהָאָֽרֶץ׃hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → trembledרָגְזָ֖הrā·ḡə·zāh — to tremble, shake, or be disturbedH7264 — Full Word Study → and quakedוַתִּרְעַ֣שׁwat·tir·‘aš — To shake, tremble, or quake with forceH7493 — Full Word Study →. 19Your pathדַּרְכֶּ֗ךָdar·ke·ḵā — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → led through the seaבַּיָּ֤םbay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, Your wayוּשְׁבִילֶיךָū·šə·ḇī·lɛ·ḵå̄ — path, way, trackH7635 — Full Word Study → through the mightyרַבִּ֑יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → watersבְּמַ֣יִםbə·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →, but Your footprintsוְ֝עִקְּבוֹתֶ֗יךָwə·‘iq·qə·ḇō·w·ṯe·ḵā — Heel; footstep; rear part; deceptionH6119 — Full Word Study → were notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to be foundנֹדָֽעוּ׃nō·ḏā·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →. 20You ledנָחִ֣יתָnā·ḥî·ṯā — To lead, guide, direct with authorityH5148 — Full Word Study → Your peopleעַמֶּ֑ךָ‘am·me·ḵā — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → like a flockכַצֹּ֣אןḵaṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → by the handבְּֽיַד־bə·yaḏ- — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of Mosesמֹשֶׁ֥הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → and Aaronוְאַהֲרֹֽן׃wə·’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 77
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 77 is a psalm of lament that moves from deep spiritual distress to triumphant remembrance of God's faithfulness. The psalmist begins in anguish, unable to find comfort, and wrestles with dark questions about whether God has abandoned him. However, through deliberate reflection on God's past works and mighty deeds, particularly the exodus from Egypt, his faith is restored and his perspective is transformed. This psalm models for us the journey from despair to hope through the discipline of remembering God's character and covenant faithfulness.

Verses 1-5: The Cry of a Troubled Soul

The psalm opens with the psalmist's earnest cry to God. Though he cries out with his voice, emphasizing the intensity and urgency of his prayer, he is in profound distress. In verse 2, we learn the nature of his trouble: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not—this suggests either physical pain or, more likely, emotional anguish that keeps him awake through the darkness. His soul refused to be comforted, indicating a grief so deep that ordinary consolation cannot touch it. Verses 3-4 deepen this picture: remembering God actually increases his trouble rather than bringing relief, and his anxiety is so severe that sleep eludes him and speech fails him. This is honest, raw spirituality—the psalmist does not pretend all is well.

Application: We serve a God who welcomes our honest prayers, even when they are filled with confusion and pain. Bringing our real struggles to Him is not a lack of faith; it is faith itself.

Verses 6-9: The Wrestling Match with Doubt

Still in his distress, the psalmist reflects on his past experiences and his spiritual tradition—the days of old and my song in the night (verse 6). He communes with his own heart and makes diligent search, trying to understand his crisis. But this remembrance leads not to comfort but to deeper questions. Verses 7-9 reveal the heart of his struggle: Will the Lord cast off for ever? Will His mercy be gone? Has God forgotten to be gracious? These are the questions that torment many believers in seasons of darkness. The psalmist fears not just present abandonment but permanent rejection.

Application: Doubt itself is not sin; what matters is how we handle it. The psalmist brings his doubts before God rather than festering in them alone.

Verses 10-15: The Turn Toward Faith

A decisive turning point comes in verse 10: This is my infirmity—the psalmist recognizes his despair itself as the sickness, not reality. He then makes a deliberate choice: I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. This is not positive thinking but remembrance—calling to mind God's actual works. Verses 11-12 show him engaging in spiritual disciplines: meditation and testimony. He rehearses God's wonders and works. Verses 13-15 celebrate God's transcendent holiness (who is so great a God as our God?), His miraculous power, and His redemptive history, particularly the exodus when He redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.

Application: When faith falters, consciously remember what God has done. Review His promises, His past faithfulness, and the testimonies of His work.

Verses 16-20: God's Majesty Displayed

The final section bursts into vivid description of God's power at the Red Sea crossing. The waters saw thee, and the depths also were troubled (verses 16-17). Thunder, lightning, and earthquake accompany divine action (verse 18). Verse 19 beautifully captures mystery: Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known—God's purposes are often hidden, yet He is always at work. Verse 20 closes with the shepherd metaphor: God leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron—a picture of tender guidance through a trusted leader.

Application: Sometimes we cannot see God's footprints in our circumstances, but He is never absent. His ways are higher than ours, and His faithfulness is as certain as His power.

Application for Today

When you face seasons of darkness and spiritual confusion, follow the psalmist's pattern: first, cry out honestly to God; second, acknowledge when despair has become your infirmity; and third, deliberately remember God's past works and His promises. Though your circumstances may not immediately change, your perspective will, and your faith will be anchored again in His unchanging character and power.

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