Psalm 77:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah

NIV: Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"

NASB: Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah

CSB: Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah

NLT: Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Interlude

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

NKJV: Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah

Psalm 77:1–9 reveals Asaph's deep, honest angst. He is so disturbed that he cannot sleep. Even when he tries to understand God, he only becomes more upset. He feels as if the Lord has abandoned him. In fact, it seems as if God has forgotten all His promises to Israel. Asaph does not stop here, however. He will continue to wrestle with these feelings by looking back on what God has done (Psalm 77:10).

Asaph struggles to sleep or find peace. Though he seeks to trust in God, he only feels more disturbed. This hardship causes him to question if the Lord has abandoned him, or possibly all the people of Israel. Still, Asaph is committed to remembering what he already knows about God. He remembers how God rescued His people at the Red Sea: with crashing thunder and brilliant lighting that caused the earth to tremble. Using Moses and Aaron, the Lord led Israel through the sea like a shepherd guiding sheep.

Asaph mourns at the beginning of this psalm; the exact reason is not given. What starts as a personal struggle takes on broader tones, suggesting that Asaph grieves something happening to Israel. As is common in psalms associated with Asaph, an early bitter tone eventually becomes reassured (Psalm 73:2–3, 15–18; 74:1–3, 12–13). The psalm echoes phrases found in other psalms (Psalm 97:4; 114:3) and prophetic books (Habakkuk 3:10).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 12/18/2024 11:57:44 AM