Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
Read it in contextA Lament and Remembrance of God's Mighty Acts
Start reading at Psalms 77:1 (Psalms 77:1 to Psalms 77:20).
The entire Psalm 77 forms a cohesive literary unit, beginning with the psalmist's lament and ending with his remembrance of God's powerful acts of redemption.
77:1I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
77:2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
77:3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
77:4Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
77:5I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
77:6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
77:7Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
77:8Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
77:9Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
77:10And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
77:11I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
77:12I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
77:13Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
77:14Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
77:15Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
77:16The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
77:17The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
77:18The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
77:19Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
77:20Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 77:1–77:20): The distressed worshipper addresses God and remembers His former acts of deliverance. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the psalmist's deep distress and questioning of God's enduring mercy and promises, followed by a deliberate remembrance of God's mighty works and faithfulness in the past, particularly the Exodus.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His unchanging character of mercy and faithfulness, which does not fail, even when His people experience profound trouble and doubt. The psalm demonstrates that remembering God's past actions can restore faith in His present and future faithfulness.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, specifically a lament that transitions into a meditation on God's historical acts of redemption and power.
When
When was it written? The Psalms were collected between approximately 1400 and 450 B.C.
When does the event take place? The psalmist's personal distress and lament are current to his experience, while the events he remembers, such as the Exodus, took place in ancient times (e.g., the time of Moses and Aaron).
Where
Where did it happen? The psalmist's internal struggle and remembrance occur within his own heart and mind. The historical events recalled, such as the Exodus, took place in Egypt and the wilderness.
Where was the author located? The author was located in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in A Lament and Remembrance of God's Mighty Acts (Psalms 77:1 to Psalms 77:20).
Start reading at Psalms 77:1. The entire Psalm 77 forms a cohesive literary unit, beginning with the psalmist's lament and ending with his remembrance of God's powerful acts of redemption.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalms 77:8 is a pivotal question within the psalmist's lament (verses 1-9), expressing deep doubt about God's mercy and promises. This questioning sets the stage for the psalmist's deliberate shift to remembering God's mighty works and character (verses 10-20), ultimately reaffirming God's faithfulness. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The psalmist's questioning of God's unfailing promise and mercy points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment and embodiment of God's covenant faithfulness. God's promises never fail because they are 'yea and in him Amen' (2 Corinthians 1:20). The redemption of His people by His arm (Psalm 77:15) foreshadows the greater spiritual redemption accomplished through Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. interpretation
How do I apply it today? In times of personal trouble, doubt, or spiritual distress, believers can follow the psalmist's example by crying out to God, and then intentionally recalling and meditating on God's past faithfulness, His mighty works, and His unchanging character as revealed in Scripture, to strengthen their faith and find comfort. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 77
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. This collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. This collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.