Psalms 77:9
Psalms 77:9 in Multiple Translations
Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? [Selah
Has God put away the memory of his pity? are his mercies shut up by his wrath? (Selah.)
Has God forgotten to be kind? Has he angrily slammed the door shut on his compassion? Selah.
Hath God forgotten to be mercifull? hath he shut vp his teder mercies in displeasure? Selah.
Hath God forgotten [His] favours? Hath He shut up in anger His mercies? Selah.
Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah.
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
The sons of Ephraim who bend and shoot with the bow: they have turned back in the day of battle.
God promised to be merciful to us; has he forgotten that? Because he is angry with us, has he decided to not be kind to us?” (Think about that!)
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 77:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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 77:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֶ/אָפֵ֣ס
לָ/נֶ֣צַח
חַסְדּ֑/וֹ
גָּ֥מַר
אֹ֝֗מֶר
לְ/דֹ֣ר
וָ/דֹֽר
הֶ/אָפֵ֣ס
ʼâphêç
H656
to end
Part | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לָ/נֶ֣צַח
netsach
H5331
perpetuity
Prep | N-ms
חַסְדּ֑/וֹ
chêçêd
H2617
kindness
N-ms | Suff
גָּ֥מַר
gâmar
H1584
to cease
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֹ֝֗מֶר
ʼômer
H562
word
N-ms
לְ/דֹ֣ר
dôwr
H1755
generation
Prep | N-ms
וָ/דֹֽר
dôwr
H1755
generation
Conj | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 77:9
הֶ/אָפֵ֣ס
ʼâphêç
H656
"to end"
Part | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To end or disappear means to cease or come to a stop, like something failing or being completely gone. This verb is used to describe something breaking off or finishing. It can also mean to be clean gone or brought to nothing.
Definition: (Qal) to cease, break, come to an end
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: be clean gone (at an end, brought to nought), fail. See also: Genesis 47:15; Psalms 77:9; Isaiah 16:4.
לָ/נֶ֣צַח
netsach
H5331
"perpetuity"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for perpetuity or everlastingness, often used to describe God's nature. It appears in Psalm 9:7, where the psalmist praises God's enduring presence. This word conveys the idea of something lasting forever.
Definition: 1) eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness 1a) eminence 1b) enduring of life 1c) endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end 1d) everlastingness, ever
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), constantly, end, ([phrase] n-) ever(more), perpetual, strength, victory. See also: 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalms 74:10; Psalms 9:7.
חַסְדּ֑/וֹ
chêçêd
H2617
"kindness"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to kindness, mercy, or pity, often used to describe God's loving actions towards humanity. It is translated as 'favour', 'kindness', or 'mercy' in the KJV. It emphasizes God's loving character.
Definition: goodness, kindness, faithfulness
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. See also: Genesis 19:19; Psalms 51:3; Psalms 5:8.
גָּ֥מַר
gâmar
H1584
"to cease"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To cease or come to an end is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, which can also mean to complete or fail. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in the KJV as 'cease' or 'come to an end'.
Definition: 1) to end, come to an end, complete, cease 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to come to an end, be no more 1a2) to bring to an end, complete 2) (TWOT) to fail, perfect, perform Aramaic equivalent: ge.mar (גְּמַר "to complete" H1585)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: cease, come to an end, fail, perfect, perform. See also: Psalms 7:10; Psalms 57:3; Psalms 12:2.
אֹ֝֗מֶר
ʼômer
H562
"word"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to something that is said, like a promise, speech, or command. It is often used to describe God's word or a person's speech.
Definition: utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: promise, speech, thing, word. See also: Job 22:28; Psalms 68:12; Psalms 19:3.
לְ/דֹ֣ר
dôwr
H1755
"generation"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a period of time or a generation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people living at the same time. In the book of Psalms, it describes a generation of people who follow God.
Definition: 1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling 1a) period, age, generation (period of time) 1b) generation (those living during a period) 1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men) 1d) dwelling-place, habitation Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. See also: Genesis 6:9; Esther 9:28; Psalms 10:6.
וָ/דֹֽר
dôwr
H1755
"generation"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to a period of time or a generation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people living at the same time. In the book of Psalms, it describes a generation of people who follow God.
Definition: 1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling 1a) period, age, generation (period of time) 1b) generation (those living during a period) 1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men) 1d) dwelling-place, habitation Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. See also: Genesis 6:9; Esther 9:28; Psalms 10:6.
Study Notes — Psalms 77:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 77:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 77:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 77:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 77:9
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 77:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
- Sermons on Psalms 77:9
Context — In the Day of Trouble I Sought the Lord
7“Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again?
8Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time?
9Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah
10So I said, “I am grieved that the right hand of the Most High has changed.” 11I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 40:11 | O LORD, do not withhold Your mercy from me; Your loving devotion and faithfulness will always guard me. |
| 2 | Isaiah 49:14–15 | But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! |
| 3 | Isaiah 63:15 | Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained. |
| 4 | Psalms 25:6 | Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and loving devotion, for they are from age to age. |
| 5 | 1 John 3:17 | If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? |
| 6 | Luke 13:25–28 | After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out. |
| 7 | Isaiah 40:27 | Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”? |
| 8 | Romans 11:32 | For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone. |
| 9 | Psalms 51:1 | Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. |
Psalms 77:9 Summary
[This verse is a question that the psalmist is asking God, wondering if He has forgotten to be kind and compassionate. It's a honest question that many of us might ask when we're going through tough times and it feels like God is far away. But the Bible tells us that God is always faithful and loving, even when we can't see it, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28. We can trust that God's kindness and compassion will never fail, even when we don't understand what's happening.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is God's anger and compassion contradictory?
No, God's anger and compassion are not contradictory, as seen in Psalms 77:9, where the psalmist questions if God's anger has shut off His compassion, and in Exodus 34:6-7, where God's mercy and justice are both described as fundamental aspects of His character.
Can God forget to be gracious?
No, God cannot forget to be gracious, as He is a gracious and merciful God, as stated in Psalms 103:8, and His faithfulness and lovingkindness endure forever, as stated in Psalms 100:5.
How can we trust God when it seems like He is not being gracious?
We can trust God because His Word promises that He will never leave us or forsake us, as stated in Hebrews 13:5-6, and that He works all things together for our good, as stated in Romans 8:28.
What is the significance of the word 'Selah' at the end of this verse?
The word 'Selah' is a musical term that indicates a pause or a reflection, and in this context, it invites the reader to pause and reflect on the profound question of whether God's anger has shut off His compassion, as stated in Psalms 77:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I felt like God had forgotten to be gracious, and how did I respond?
- How does the idea that God's anger and compassion can coexist shape my understanding of His character?
- What are some ways that I can trust God's goodness and faithfulness even when I don't understand what He is doing?
- How can I reflect on God's past faithfulness, as the psalmist does in Psalms 77:11, to strengthen my trust in Him today?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 77:9
Hath God forgotten to be gracious,.... He has not, is it possible that he should?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 77:9
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? -The contrast of the past with the sad present suggests the question, Has God, as appearances would imply, completely cast off His people forever?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
Hath God forgotten to be gracious, because he hath so long disused it? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies, so as they can never flow forth, no, not to his own people?
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
Psalms 77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.Ver. 9. Hath God forgotten to be gracious?] So it seemeth sometimes to those that are long afflicted and short-spirited; but what saith the prophet? Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, they may prove unnatural, and grow out of kind, as Medea, and those Suevian women (Heyl. Geog.), who threw their young children at the Romans, under the conduct of Drusus, son-in-law to Augustus, instead of darts, yet God will not forget his people, Isaiah 49:15. Indeed, he can as soon forget himself, and change his nature. Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?] These things the psalmist speaketh not as utterly despairing, but as one courageously, wrestling against an old manslayer, and a misgiving heart of his own. Homines vero securi, et voluptatibus ebrii, nihil horum intelllgunt. This is little understood by profane sensualists, who, therefore, reap no great benefit by the reading of these psalms.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
(7-9) The self-questionings here follow as they rise sigh after sigh in the poet’s heart. God’s silences have always been more appalling to the human spirit than even the most terrible of His manifestations. To the pious Israelite, to whom the past history of his race appeared one scene of opportune interpositions to save at the moment when distress became too intolerable, it seemed as if the divine protection was altogether withdrawn when the misery was protracted and the sign of help withheld.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
Verse 9. Hath God - in anger shut up his tender mercies?] The tender mercies of God are the source whence all his kindness to the children of men flows. The metaphor here is taken from a spring, the mouth of which is closed, so that its waters can no longer run in the same channel; but, being confined, break out, and take some other course. Wilt thou take thy mercy from the Israelites, and give it to some other people? This he most certainly did. He took it from the Jews, and gave it to the Gentiles.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 77:9
9. Has He forgotten or deliberately abandoned those attributes which He once proclaimed as the essence of His Nature (Exodus 34:6)? Cp. Habakkuk 3:2, “In wrath wilt thou remember mercy.”
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 77:9
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? - Has he passed over mercy in administering his government? Has he ceased to remember that man needs mercy? Has he forgotten that this is an attribute of his own nature?
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 77:9
9. Forgotten to be gracious… shut up his tender mercies— “He asks whether it is, then, all at an end with God’s loving-kindness and promise, at the same time saying to himself that this,
Sermons on Psalms 77:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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How to Bear Sorrow by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer addresses the profound sorrow that many experience, emphasizing that such pain is a shared human experience and that even Jesus faced deep anguish. He encourages believe |
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The God Who Helps by D.A. Carson | This sermon emphasizes the need to trust in God's help in times of trouble, acknowledging our dependence on Him and the ongoing need for His mercy and protection. It highlights the |
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The Dejected Believer's Soliloquy. a Discourse Occasioned by the Decease of Mrs. Ann Button. by John Gill | John Gill preaches on the theme of the dejected believer's struggle with despair, drawing from Psalm 40:11. He reflects on the Psalmist's longing for God's presence amidst trials a |
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God Has Not Passed You By by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of greed in various aspects of society, including individuals, ministries, churches, and even high priests. The preacher expresses |
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God Has Not Passed You - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes that even in the darkest times, God has not forsaken His people. It draws parallels from the story in 1 Samuel where a widow faced immense pain and loss, fee |
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Having No Part Dark by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God as our Father, a revelation brought by Jesus. It highlights how unsatisfied Christian lives may stem from not truly knowing God |
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The Forgiving Nature of God by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the forgiving nature of God, illustrating how even in deep despair, like that experienced by David, one can find hope and restoration through God's mercy |