Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 77

For the choir director; according to Jeduthun; a psalm by Asaph.

Loudly, I cried to Elohim.
    Loudly, I cried to Elohim
    so that he would open his ears to hear me.
On the day I was in trouble, I went to Adonay for help.
    At night I stretched out my hands in prayer without growing tired.
    Yet, my soul refused to be comforted.

I sigh as I remember Elohim.
    I begin to lose hope as I think about him. Selah
        (You keep my eyelids open.)
    I am so upset that I cannot speak.
I have considered the days of old,
    the years long ago.
I remember my song in the night
    and reflect on it.
    My spirit searches for an answer:
Will Adonay reject me for all time?
    Will he ever accept me?
Has his mercy come to an end forever?
    Has his promise been canceled throughout every generation?
Has El forgotten to be merciful?
    Has he locked up his compassion because of his anger? Selah
10 Then I said, “It makes me feel sick
    that the power of Elyon is no longer the same.”[a]

11 I will remember the deeds of Yah.
    I will remember your ancient miracles.
12 I will reflect on all your actions
    and think about what you have done.

13 O Elohim, your ways are holy!
    What god is as great as our Elohim?
14 You are the El who performs miracles.
    You have made your strength known among the nations.
15 With your might you have defended your people,
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16 The water saw you, O Elohim.
    The water saw you and shook.
    Even the depths of the sea trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water.
    The sky thundered.
    Even your arrows flashed in every direction.
18 The sound of your thunder rumbled in the sky.[b]
    Streaks of lightning lit up the world.
        The earth trembled and shook.

19 Your road went through the sea.
    Your path went through raging water,
        but your footprints could not be seen.
20 Like a shepherd, you led your people.
    You had Moses and Aaron take them by the hand.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 77:10 Hebrew meaning of this line uncertain.
  2. Psalm 77:18 Hebrew meaning of this line uncertain.

Psalm 77[a]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.

I cried out to God(A) for help;
    I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress,(B) I sought the Lord;
    at night(C) I stretched out untiring hands,(D)
    and I would not be comforted.(E)

I remembered(F) you, God, and I groaned;(G)
    I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b](H)
You kept my eyes from closing;
    I was too troubled to speak.(I)
I thought about the former days,(J)
    the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
    My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

“Will the Lord reject forever?(K)
    Will he never show his favor(L) again?
Has his unfailing love(M) vanished forever?
    Has his promise(N) failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?(O)
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?(P)

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
    the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.(Q)
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles(R) of long ago.
12 I will consider(S) all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”(T)

13 Your ways, God, are holy.
    What god is as great as our God?(U)
14 You are the God who performs miracles;(V)
    you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,(W)
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

16 The waters(X) saw you, God,
    the waters saw you and writhed;(Y)
    the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,(Z)
    the heavens resounded with thunder;(AA)
    your arrows(AB) flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,(AC)
    your lightning(AD) lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and quaked.(AE)
19 Your path(AF) led through the sea,(AG)
    your way through the mighty waters,
    though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people(AH) like a flock(AI)
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 77:1 In Hebrew texts 77:1-20 is numbered 77:2-21.
  2. Psalm 77:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 9 and 15.

77 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?

Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

11 I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.