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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    In His anger, has He withdrawn His compassion?”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”

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.