Psalm Chapter 77 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
Psalms Chapter 77 (Old Testament)
6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
11 I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
Psalms Chapter 77 (Old Testament)
15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 77:11
Verse: אֶזְכֹּר מַעֲשֵׂי יְהוָה
Transliteration: Ezkor ma’asei Adonai
English: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.”
Focus Word: זָכַר (Zakar)
- Root: ז-כ-ר (Zayin-Kaf-Resh)
- Meaning: “To remember,” “to call to mind,” “to be mindful.”
- Deeper Insight: Zakar conveys active recollection and reflection, highlighting the importance of remembering God’s works for encouragement and faith.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 77 |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Scott (University of Edinburgh, 1747–1821) | Commentary on the Holy Bible | The Psalm expresses a heartfelt yearning for God’s intervention during trials. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | God’s past acts of mercy serve as a source of encouragement amid sorrow. |
| George Buchanan (St Andrews / Paris, 1506–1582) | Commentaries on the Psalms | The Psalm reflects on divine power as the ultimate reassurance in times of uncertainty. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | Faith is strengthened when recalling God’s mighty works and unwavering providence. |
| John Brown (Edinburgh, 1722–1787) | Self-Interpreting Bible | Crying out to God models sincere dependence and persistent hope. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalmist wrestling with despair and divine silence. Memory becomes the medicine of faith. God’s past deeds restore hope. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as a believer’s struggle with overwhelming sorrow. The turning point is recalling the works of the Lord. Meditation brings comfort. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalmist’s questions as arising from deep spiritual distress. The remembrance of God’s wonders resolves doubt. God’s way in the sea shows His mysterious power. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as a path from anguish to assurance. Memory of God’s wonders renews strength. Faith triumphs over fear. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford interprets the psalm as a cry out of inward turmoil. Yet remembering God’s mighty acts turns despair into praise. His ways, though hidden, are perfect. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar views the psalm as the Church’s cry in the dark night of the soul. Memory of redemption restores calm. God’s footprints are unseen yet sure. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker sees the psalmist’s grief as consuming. But reflection on God’s deeds transforms sorrow into strength. God’s mysterious ways conceal His faithfulness. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale reads the psalm as depicting the conflict between doubt and faith. God’s past deliverances bring hope. Reflection leads to renewed trust. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar sees the psalm as the soul confronting hiddenness of God. Meditation reveals divine mercy. The God of wonders never forsakes His own. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as revealing the Church’s comfort in remembering redemption. God’s way is in the sanctuary and in the deep. His mighty acts restore faith. |
