Psalms 77:4
Psalms 77:4 in Multiple Translations
You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak.
Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
Thou holdest mine eyes watching: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
You keep my eyes from sleep; I am so troubled that no words come.
You stop me going to sleep; I'm so upset I can't even talk.
Thou keepest mine eyes waking: I was astonied and could not speake.
Thou hast taken hold of the watches of mine eyes, I have been moved, and I speak not.
You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can’t speak.
Thou holdest my eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
They have not been hidden from their children, in another generation. Declaring the praises of the Lord, and his powers, and his wonders which he hath done.
All during the night he prevents me from sleeping; I am very worried, with the result that I do not know what to say.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 77:4
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 77:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶזְכְּרָ֣ה
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
וְ/אֶֽהֱמָיָ֑ה
אָשִׂ֓יחָה
וְ/תִתְעַטֵּ֖ף
רוּחִ֣/י
סֶֽלָה
אֶזְכְּרָ֣ה
zâkar
H2142
to remember
V-Qal-1cs
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
וְ/אֶֽהֱמָיָ֑ה
hâmâh
H1993
to roar
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
אָשִׂ֓יחָה
sîyach
H7878
to muse
V-Qal-1cs
וְ/תִתְעַטֵּ֖ף
ʻâṭaph
H5848
to turn aside
Conj | V-Hithpael-Imperf-3fs
רוּחִ֣/י
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs | Suff
סֶֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
Selah
Part
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 77:4
אֶזְכְּרָ֣ה
zâkar
H2142
"to remember"
V-Qal-1cs
To remember means to recall or mark something, like God remembering his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 9:1 and Exodus 2:24.
Definition: 1) to remember, recall, call to mind 1a) (Qal) to remember, recall 1b) (Niphal) to be brought to remembrance, be remembered, be thought of, be brought to mind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to remember, remind 1c2) to cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance 1c3) to mention 1c4) to record 1c5) to make a memorial, make remembrance
Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] burn (incense), [idiom] earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, [idiom] still, think on, [idiom] well. See also: Genesis 8:1; Psalms 74:2; Psalms 8:5.
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
וְ/אֶֽהֱמָיָ֑ה
hâmâh
H1993
"to roar"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
To make a loud noise, like roaring or moaning, is what this Hebrew word means. It can also imply a state of turmoil or commotion, like in the book of Jeremiah where it describes a city in uproar.
Definition: 1) to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to growl 1a2) to murmur (fig. of a soul in prayer) 1a3) to roar 1a4) to be in a stir, be in a commotion 1a5) to be boisterous, be turbulent
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar. See also: 1 Kings 1:41; Song of Solomon 5:4; Psalms 39:7.
אָשִׂ֓יחָה
sîyach
H7878
"to muse"
V-Qal-1cs
This Hebrew word means to think deeply about something, like a problem or an idea, and to talk to oneself or others about it, as seen in the book of Psalms where David ponders God's creation.
Definition: 1) to put forth, mediate, muse, commune, speak, complain, ponder, sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to complain 1a2) to muse, meditate upon, study, ponder 1a3) to talk, sing, speak 1b) (Polel) to meditate, consider, put forth thoughts
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: commune, complain, declare, meditate, muse, pray, speak, talk (with). See also: Judges 5:10; Psalms 119:15; Psalms 55:18.
וְ/תִתְעַטֵּ֖ף
ʻâṭaph
H5848
"to turn aside"
Conj | V-Hithpael-Imperf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to feel weak or faint, like when someone is overwhelmed and can't cope. It appears in the Bible when people are struggling, like in Psalm 61:2. The word also means to be covered or hidden.
Definition: 1) to turn aside 1a) (Qal) to turn aside, turn (in order to cover)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: cover (over), fail, faint, feebler, hide self, be overwhelmed, swoon. See also: Genesis 30:42; Psalms 107:5; Psalms 61:3.
רוּחִ֣/י
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
סֶֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
"Selah"
Part
Selah is a musical term in the Bible that signals a pause or interruption in the music, like a rest in a song, often used in Psalms. It is a technical term that sets a moment for reflection and contemplation, as seen in Psalm 3:2.
Definition: § 1) to lift up, exalt 1a) Selah 1a1) a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: Selah. See also: Psalms 3:3; Psalms 62:5; Psalms 3:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 77:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 77:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 77:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 77:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 77:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 77:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
- Sermons on Psalms 77:4
Context — In the Day of Trouble I Sought the Lord
2In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted.
3I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint. Selah
4You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak.
5I considered the days of old, the years long in the past. 6At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 7:13–15 | When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, then You frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body. |
| 2 | Psalms 6:6 | I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. |
| 3 | Job 2:13 | Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw how intense his suffering was. |
| 4 | Job 6:3 | For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash. |
| 5 | Esther 6:1 | That night sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him. |
Psalms 77:4 Summary
[Psalms 77:4 tells us that even when we're too troubled to speak, God is still with us and sustains us, keeping our eyes open to His presence and power. This is similar to how God helped the Israelites in Exodus 14:13-14, where He fought for them against the Egyptians. The psalmist is acknowledging God's faithfulness in his life, even when the troubles seem insurmountable. By remembering God's past faithfulness, as encouraged in Psalms 77:3, we can find the strength to keep moving forward, trusting that He will see us through our current challenges, just as He did for the psalmist.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have eyes kept from closing in a time of trouble?
In Psalms 77:4, the psalmist is expressing gratitude that God has sustained him, keeping his eyes from closing in sleep, despite the overwhelming troubles he faces, much like how God gave strength to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:5-8 to continue his journey.
Why would the psalmist be too troubled to speak?
The psalmist's emotional pain and distress have rendered him speechless, a feeling echoed in Isaiah 53:7, where it is written that Jesus was led like a sheep to the slaughter, yet did not open His mouth, demonstrating the depth of suffering that can leave one without words.
How does this verse relate to the idea of remembering God in times of trouble?
The psalmist's recollection of God in Psalms 77:3 sets the stage for his acknowledgment in verse 4 that God has been his sustainer, highlighting the importance of remembering God's faithfulness, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 8:2, to find strength in times of hardship.
What role does faith play in the psalmist's ability to endure his troubles?
The psalmist's faith is what allows him to trust that God is with him, even when he cannot see a way out of his troubles, much like the apostle Paul's declaration in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that we walk by faith, not by sight, illustrating the crucial role of faith in perseverance.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways have you experienced God's sustaining power in your own life, especially during difficult times?
- How does remembering God's past faithfulness help you trust Him in your current challenges, and what specific memories or scriptures come to mind when you reflect on His goodness?
- What are some practical ways you can 'remember' God in your daily life, especially when faced with troubles that leave you speechless?
- In what ways can you apply the psalmist's example of perseverance in prayer and seeking God, as seen in Psalms 77:2, to your own life when you feel overwhelmed?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 77:4
Thou holdest mine eyes waking,.... Or, "the watches", or rather "keepers of the eyes" (m); the eyebrows, which protect the eyes; these were held, so that he could not shut them, and get any sleep; so R.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 77:4
Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
Thou holdest mine eyes waking, by those sharp and continual griefs, and those perplexing and tormenting thoughts and cares, which from time to time thou stirrest up in me. I am so troubled that I cannot speak; the greatness of my sorrows stupifies my mind, and makes me both lifeless and unable to speak; nor can any words sufficiently express the extremity of my misery.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
Psalms 77:4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.Ver. 4. Thou holdest mine eyes waking] Thou holdest the watches of mine eyes, that is, mine eyebrows, saith the Chaldee, so that I can neither sleep nor speak. Job complaineth of the like misery, Job 7:8 See Psalms 38:10 That I cannot speak] Curae leves loquuntur, ingentes stupent.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
(4) Thou holdest mine eyes waking.—Rather, Thou hast closed the guards of my eyes—i.e., my eyelids. The Authorised Version mistakes the noun. guards, for a participle, and mistranslates it by the active instead of the passive. For the verb hold in the sense of shut, see Nehemiah 7:3, and Job 26:9, where God is described as veiling His throne in cloud, and so shutting it up, as it were, from the access of men. I am so troubled.—The verb is used elsewhere of the awestruck state into which the mind is thrown by a mysterious dream (Genesis 41:8; Daniel 2:1; Daniel 2:3), and once (Judges 13:25) of inspiration, such as impelled the judges of old to become the liberators of their country. The parallelism here shows that it is used in the first connection. The poet has been struck dumb (the verb is rendered strike in the Lexicons) by a mysterious dream; he is too overawed to speak.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
Verse 4. Thou holdest mine eyes waking] Literally, thou keepest the watches of mine eyes - my grief is so great that I cannot sleep. I am so troubled that I cannot speak.] This shows an increase of sorrow and anguish. At first he felt his misery, and called aloud. He receives more light, sees and feels his deep wretchedness, and then his words are swallowed by excessive distress. His woes are too big for utterance. "Small troubles are loquacious; the great are dumb." Curae leves loquuntur; ingentes stupent.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 77:4
4–9. In the vigils of the night he pondered on the history of the past, and asked himself with earnest questionings whether it were possible that God could have utterly cast off His people, and changed His character as a gracious and merciful God.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 77:4
Thou holdest mine eyes waking - literally, “Thou holdest the watchings of my eyes.” Gesenius (Lexicon) translates the Hebrew word rendered “waking,” “eyelids.” Probably that is the true idea.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 77:4
4. Thou holdest mine eyes waking—Thou holdest the watches, or guards, of my eyes; that is, my eyelids. Sleep is God’s merciful gift, (Psalms 127:2,) and wakefulness is here confessed as a judgment.
Sermons on Psalms 77:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Wrath of Satan Shall Praise God by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. He emphasizes that when Jesus shows up, the game is over for the enemi |
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The Power of Tears by Al Whittinghill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a passion for the harvest, which refers to reaching out to people with the message of God. He encourages listeners t |
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Hebrews 12:14-17 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of love, peace, and holiness in Christianity, quoting Jesus and Paul to highlight the significance of following peace with all men and pur |
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In the Pits With a King by John Piper | John Piper preaches on the pattern of life presented in Psalms 40:1-3, focusing on the experience of being in the pits, crying out to God, waiting patiently, being rescued by God, |
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The Life of Abraham - Part 7 by W.F. Anderson | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of approaching the Bible not just as a source of facts or ammunition, but as a way to understand the heart and mind of God. He |
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(Through the Bible) Nehemiah & Esther by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the stories of Nehemiah and Esther, highlighting the contrast between those who are willing to sacrifice for God's work and those who seek comfort and compr |
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God Controls Our Circumstances by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on the story of Esther, highlighting how God orchestrated events to rescue the Jews from destruction through a series of seemingly small incidents. Despite the |