The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. … 76. 77. 78. … 149. 150.

Chapter 77

1

¹ For the leader; al Jeduthun. A psalm of Asaph.

2

I cry aloud to God, cry to God to hear me.

3

On the day of my distress I seek the Lord; by night my hands are raised unceasingly; I refuse to be consoled.

4

When I think of God, I groan; as I ponder, my spirit grows faint. Selah

5

My eyes cannot close in sleep; I am troubled and cannot speak.

6

I consider the days of old; the years long past

7

I remember. In the night I meditate in my heart; I ponder and my spirit broods:

8

“Will the Lord reject us forever, never again show favor?

9

Has God’s love ceased forever? Has the promise failed for all ages?

10

Has God forgotten mercy, in anger withheld compassion?” Selah

11

² I conclude: “My sorrow is this, the right hand of the Most High has left us.”

12

³ I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, your wonders of old I will remember.

13

I will recite all your works; your exploits I will tell.

14

Your way, O God, is holy; what god is as great as our God?

15

You alone are the God who did wonders; among the peoples you revealed your might.

16

With your arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

17

The waters saw you, God; the waters saw you and lashed about, trembled even to their depths.

18

The clouds poured down their rains; the thunderheads rumbled; your arrows flashed back and forth.

19

The thunder of your chariot wheels resounded; your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

20

Through the sea was your path; your way, through the mighty waters, though your footsteps were unseen.

21

You led your people like a flock under the care of Moses and Aaron.

1 [Psalm 77] A community lament in which the speaker (“I”) describes the anguish of Israel at God’s silence when its very existence is at stake (⇒ Psalm 77:2-11). In response the speaker recites the story of how God brought the people into existence (⇒ Psalm 77:12-20). The question is thus posed to God: Will you allow the people you created to be destroyed?

2 [11] I conclude: literally, “I said.” The psalmist, after pondering the present distress and God’s promises to Israel, has decided that God has forgotten the people.

3 [12] I will remember: the verb sometimes means to make present the great deeds of Israel’s past by reciting them. Cf ⇒ Psalm 78:42; ⇒ 105:5; ⇒ 106:7.

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. … 76. 77. 78. … 149. 150.