Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 77
For the choir director; according to Jeduthun; a psalm by Asaph.
1 Loudly, I cried to Elohim.
Loudly, I cried to Elohim
so that he would open his ears to hear me.
2 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.
3 I sigh as I remember Elohim.
I begin to lose hope as I think about him. Selah
4 (You keep my eyelids open.)
I am so upset that I cannot speak.
5 I have considered the days of old,
the years long ago.
6 I remember my song in the night
and reflect on it.
My spirit searches for an answer:
7 Will Adonay reject me for all time?
Will he ever accept me?
8 Has his mercy come to an end forever?
Has his promise been canceled throughout every generation?
9 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.
8 “But I would seek El’s help
and present my case to Elohim.
9 He does great things that we cannot understand
and miracles that we cannot count.
10 He gives rain to the earth
and sends water to the fields.
11 He places lowly people up high.
He lifts those who mourn to safety.
12 He keeps shrewd people from carrying out their plans
so that they cannot do anything successfully.
13 He catches the wise with their own tricks.
The plans of schemers prove to be hasty.
14 In the daytime they meet darkness
and grope in the sunlight as if it were night.
15 “But he saves other people from their slander
and the needy from the power of the mighty.
16 Then the poor have hope
while wrongdoing shuts its mouth.
Blessing Comes When God Corrects You
17 “Blessed is the person whom Eloah corrects.
That person should not despise discipline from Shadday.
18 God injures, but he bandages.
He beats you up, but his hands make you well.
19 He will keep you safe from six troubles,
and when the seventh one comes, no harm will touch you:
20 “In famine he will save you from death,
and in war he will save you from the sword.
21 “When the tongue lashes out, you will be safe,
and you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes.
22 “You will be able to laugh at destruction and starvation,
so do not be afraid of wild animals on the earth.
23 “You will have a binding agreement with the stones in the field,
and wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 “You will know peace in your tent.
You will inspect your house and find nothing missing.
25 “You will find that your children are many
and your descendants are like the grass of the earth.
26 “You will come to your grave at a ripe old age
like a stack of hay in the right season.
27 “We have studied all of this thoroughly! This is the way it is.
Listen to it, and learn it for yourself.”
Dedicate Your Lives to Jesus
8 Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. 9 Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
10 “People who want to live a full life and enjoy good days
must keep their tongues from saying evil things,
and their lips from speaking deceitful things.
11 They must turn away from evil and do good.
They must seek peace and pursue it.
12 The Lord’s eyes are on those who do what he approves.
His ears hear their prayer.
The Lord confronts those who do evil.”
13 Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what God approves, you are blessed. Don’t be afraid of those who want to harm you. Don’t get upset. 15 But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord. Always be ready to defend your confidence in God when anyone asks you to explain it. However, make your defense with gentleness and respect. 16 Keep your conscience clear. Then those who treat the good Christian life you live with contempt will feel ashamed that they have ridiculed you. 17 After all, if it is God’s will, it’s better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong.
18 This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit.
The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group.