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For the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by Asaph.

77 My cry goes to God!
    Indeed, I cry to God for help,
    and for him to listen to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord.
    My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired.
    My soul refused to be comforted.
I remember God, and I groan.
    I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah.

You hold my eyelids open.
    I am so troubled that I can’t speak.
I have considered the days of old,
    the years of ancient times.
I remember my song in the night.
    I consider in my own heart;
    my spirit diligently inquires:
“Will the Lord reject us forever?
    Will he be favorable no more?
Has his loving kindness vanished forever?
    Does his promise fail for generations?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah.
10 Then I thought, “I will appeal to this:
    the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11 I will remember Yah’s deeds;
    for I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will also meditate on all your work,
    and consider your doings.
13 Your way, God, is in the sanctuary.
    What god is great like God?
14 You are the God who does wonders.
    You have made your strength known among the peoples.
15 You have redeemed your people with your arm,
    the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16 The waters saw you, God.
    The waters saw you, and they writhed.
    The depths also convulsed.
17 The clouds poured out water.
    The skies resounded with thunder.
    Your arrows also flashed around.
18 The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind.
    The lightnings lit up the world.
    The earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea,
    your paths through the great waters.
    Your footsteps were not known.
20 You led your people like a flock,
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 77

For the worship leader, Jeduthun. A song of Asaph.

I cry up to heaven,
    “My God, True God,” and He hears.
In my darkest days, I seek the Lord.
    Through the night, my hands are raised up, stretched out, waiting;
And though they do not grow tired,
    my soul is uneasy.
I remember the True God and become distraught.
    I think about Him, and my spirit becomes weak.

[pause][a]

You hold my eyes wide open.
    I am troubled beyond words.
My mind drifts to thoughts of yesterdays
    and yesteryears.
I call to mind my music; it keeps me company at night.
    Together with my heart I contemplate;
    my spirit searches, wondering, questioning:
“What will the Lord do? Reject us for good?
    Will He never show us His favor again?
Has His loyal love finally worn down?
    Have His promises reached an end?
Has the True God forgotten how to be gracious?
    In His anger, has He withdrawn His compassion?”

[pause]

10 “I can’t help but be distraught,” I said,
    “for the power of the Most High that was once for us is now against us.”

11 I will remember the actions the Eternal has taken,
    reminisce on Your ancient wonders.
12 I will reflect on all of Your work;
    indeed, I will study all You have performed.
13 O God, Your way is so different, so distinct, so divine.
    No other god compares with our God.
14 You, God, and Your works evoke wonder.
    You have proved Your strength to the nations.
15 You used Your great power to release Your people:
    with a strong arm, You freed Jacob’s children, and Joseph’s.

[pause]

16 The waters saw You, O True God.
    The seas saw You and swelled in sorrow.
    Even the deep trembled.
17 Water poured from the clouds,
    and the sky boomed out in response
    as Your arrows of lightning flashed this way and that.
18 The sound of Your thunder whirled within the wind
    as Your lightning lit up the world.
    Yes, the whole earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way ran through the sea,
    Your path cut through great waters,
    and still no one can spot Your footprints.
20 You led Your people as a flock
    tended by the hands of Moses and Aaron.

Footnotes

  1. 77:3 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”