Psalms 77:5 — Word Study
WLCחִשַּׁ֣בְתִּי יָמִ֣ים מִקֶּ֑דֶם שְׁ֝נ֗וֹת עוֹלָמִֽים׃
BSAto graspʼâchaz wakingshᵉmurâh△ eyeʻayin to troublepâʻam notlôʼ to speakdâbar
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| חִשַּׁ֣בְתִּי | I thought about | Verb, Piel, perfect first person common singular |
| יָמִ֣ים | days | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| מִקֶּ֑דֶם | from antiquity | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| שְׁ֝נ֗וֹת | years of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| עוֹלָמִֽים׃ | antiquiti | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I considered the days of old, the years long in the past. |
| KJV | I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. |
| ASV | I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. |
| YLT | I have reckoned the days of old, The years of the ages. |
| WEB | I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. |
| BBE | My thoughts go back to the days of the past, to the years which are gone. |
Translations agree on the meaning of חִשַּׁ֣בְתִּי — see How Translations Differ.
The structure features a main verb followed by two noun phrases that provide the objects of the psalmist's consideration.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָחַז
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 77:5
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Reflections on the Pastgenerated
Psalm 77:5 reveals the psalmist's contemplation of the past, specifically the days and years that have long since passed. This reflection occurs in a context of distress, as the psalmist grapples with feelings of abandonment and seeks to understand God's actions in light of history. The verses surrounding this one emphasize a longing for divine intervention and a desire to remember God's past deeds, as seen in Psalm 77:6.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 74:12–18 | Yet God is my King from ancient times, working salvation on the earth. |
| 2 | Psalm 143:5 | I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 32:7 | Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you. |
| 4 | Isaiah 51:9 | Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? |
| 5 | Isaiah 63:9–15 | In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חִשַּׁ֣בְתִּי, chi.Shav.tigenerated
The verb חִשַּׁבְתִּי (chi.Shav.ti) is a perfect form in the Piel stem, indicating a completed action of thinking or devising. It suggests a deep, intentional consideration of the past, rather than a fleeting thought.
This word encompasses a range of meanings, including to account, to plan, and to devise. In this context, it indicates a reflective process where the psalmist is not merely recalling events but actively engaging with their significance.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations largely agree on the rendering of חִשַּׁ֣בְתִּי as considered, with the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all using similar terms.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is חִשַּׁ֣בְתִּי (chi.Shav.ti), which governs the entire clause. The structure includes a noun phrase indicating the object of consideration and a prepositional phrase providing temporal context.
The sentence flows from the subject's reflection on the past, with the arrangement of words emphasizing the importance of the days and years being remembered.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חִשַּׁ֣בְתִּי as προκατελάβοντο, suggesting a proactive taking hold of the past. This choice indicates a more assertive engagement with memory, contrasting with the more passive 'considered' in the Hebrew.
This translation reflects a nuanced interpretation of the act of remembering, emphasizing the active role of the psalmist in recalling significant moments.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 77:5 expresses the psalmist's deep reflection on the days and years of the past. In a time of trouble, the psalmist recalls these moments, seeking to understand their significance in light of current struggles.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The 'days of old' refer to significant times in the past that the psalmist reflects on, likely moments of divine intervention or personal experiences that shaped their faith.
Remembering the past serves as a way for the psalmist to seek comfort and understanding during troubling times, highlighting God's previous faithfulness.
This verse connects to the surrounding verses by providing a backdrop for the psalmist's current distress, contrasting memories of the past with feelings of abandonment.
We can learn the importance of reflecting on our past experiences to find strength and perspective in our present challenges.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What past experiences have shaped my understanding of God's faithfulness?
- How can reflecting on the past help me in times of trouble?
- What specific events from my life can I remember to encourage my faith today?
- In what ways does remembering the past influence my present actions and decisions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss themes of memory and reflection in their writings. Quotations from Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine of Hippo, and Leo the Great are included.
Sufficient defense has been offered on these points, and as for that which Eunomius says by way of calumny against our doctrine, that “Christ was emptied to become himself” there has been sufficient discussion in what has been said above,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 77 →
"I have thought on ancient days" [Psalms 77:5]. Now he, as if he were one who had been beaten out of doors,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 77 →
What mind can understand this mystery, what tongue has the capability of explaining this grace? Iniquity turns back into innocence, oldness into newness. Strangers come into adoption, and foreigners enter on an inheritance.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 77 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 77:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI have considered the days of old,.... Either the former part of his life, the various occurrences of it, how it had been with him in time past, what experience he had had of the divine goodness; so
Read John Gill on Psalms 77 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 77 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI have considered, if by that means I could get any comfort, the days of old, i.e. the mighty works of God done for his people in former times. Days are put for events done in them, as 137:7 .
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 77 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 77:5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.Ver. 5. I have considered the days of old] What thou didst for Adam, Abraham, Israel, in Egypt, &c., all which was written purposely, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. See Deuteronomy 32:7.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 77 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. I have considered the days of old] חשבתי chishshabti, I have counted up; I have reckoned up the various dispensations of thy mercy in behalf of the distressed, marked down in the history of our fathers.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 77 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. “Not pathetic only but profound also and of the most solid substance was that reply made by an old Carthusian monk to the trifler who asked him how he had managed to get through his life:—Cogitavi dies antiquos, et annos aeternos in mente habui.”
Read Cambridge on Psalms 77 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI have considered the days of old - Rather, “I do consider;” that is, “I think upon.” This refers to his resolution in his perplexity and trouble; the method to which he resorted in examining the
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 77 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible5. I have considered the days of old—I recount the providence of God toward the nation in ancient times, and contrast with that its present forsaken condition.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 77 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I considered the days of old, the years long in the past.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I considered the days of old, the years long in the past.
I thought about the days of old, about ancient times.
Tyndale line
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
Then I considered the daies of olde, and the yeeres of ancient time.
Strictly literal
I consider the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I have reckoned the days of old, The years of the ages.
I have reckoned the days of old, || The years of the ages.
(77:6) I think over the days of old, the years of ancient times.
I thought about the days of old, about times long past.
From the Latin
And he set up a testimony in Jacob: and made a law in Israel. How great things he commanded our fathers, that they should make the same known to their children:
Simplified
I think of the old days, years ago.
My thoughts go back to the days of the past, to the years which are gone.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, with all five words matched. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the verse's content across these texts.
חִשַּׁ֣בְתִּי יָמִ֣ים מִקֶּ֑דֶם שְׁ֝נ֗וֹת עוֹלָמִֽים׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 77:5
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word חָשַׁב (chashab) is a primitive root meaning to think, account, or devise. It encompasses a range of actions including planning, valuing, and inventing, both for humans and in relation to God. The entries indicate various grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, and Hithpael, each reflecting different nuances of thought and consideration.
חָשַׁב vb. think, account
Qal
of man:
think, account
devise, plan, mean
charge, impute
esteem, value, regard
invent ingenious and artistic things
of God:
think
devise, plan, mean
inpute, reckon
esteem, value, regard
invent ingenious and artistic things
Niph.
be accounted, thought, esteemed
be computed, reckoned
be imputed to any one
Pi.
think upon, consider, be mindful of
think to do, devise, plan
count, reckon, the years since a sale of land
Hithp. among the nations it shall not reckon itself
base
H2803 חָשַׁב think, account .. of man: . think, account
. devise, plan, mean
. charge, impute
. esteem, value, regard
. invent ingenious and artistic things
. of God: . think
. devise, plan, mean
. inpute, reckon
. esteem, value, regard
. invent ingenious and artistic things
. . be accounted, thought, esteemed
. be computed, reckoned
. be imputed to any one
. . think upon, consider, be mindful of
. think to do, devise, plan
. count, reckon, the years since a sale of land
. among the nations it shall not reckon itself
2803 chashab khaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e.
(literally) to weave or (gen.) to fabricate; figuratively, to
plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from
the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute:--(make)
account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work,
workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine,
impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made),
regard, think.
חָשַׁב (cha.shav) — to devise: design.
: design/skillful
1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to think, account
1a2) to plan, devise, mean
1a3) to charge, impute, reckon
1a4) to esteem, value, regard
1a5) to invent
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed
1b2) to be computed, be reckoned
1b3) to be imputed
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of
1c2) to think to do, devise, plan
1c3) to count, reckon
1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
חָשַׁב (cha.shav) — to devise: count.
: count/regard_as
1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to think, account
1a2) to plan, devise, mean
1a3) to charge, impute, reckon
1a4) to esteem, value, regard
1a5) to invent
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed
1b2) to be computed, be reckoned
1b3) to be imputed
HVpp1cs — Verb · Piel · perfect first person common singularHVpp1cs
a-bout': The use of this word as a preposition, in the sense of "around," is confined to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, generally an adverb, for Greek hos or "hosei." The Revised Version (British and American) adopts it in several idiomatic translations of mello, referring to what is about to be, i.e. on the point of occurring, or immediately impending, amending the King James Version, in Ac 5:35; 27:2; Re 12:4, etc.
יוֹם (yowm) means 'day' and refers to a division of time, contrasting with night. It can denote a literal 24-hour period, a general time span, or even a year. The term is used in various contexts, including the 'day of Yahweh,' which signifies a time of divine judgment. It also appears in phrases indicating temporal references like today, yesterday, and tomorrow.
יוֹם 2285 n.m. day
day, opp. night
Day as division of time
יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
Pl. days of anyone
Days
יוֹם = time
Phrases
base
H3117 יוֹם day . day, opp. night
. Day as division of time
. יוֹם י׳ day of Yahweh, chiefly as time of his coming in judgment, involving often blessedness for righteous
. Pl. days of anyone
. Days
. יוֹם = time
. Phrases
3117 yowm yome
from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm
hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one
sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by
an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, +
chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to)
day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, +
(for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as
(... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually,
presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space,
then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble,
weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole
(+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
יוֹם (yom) — day.
: day/when/time/period
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: old.
: old/(full/many)[days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
1b2a) a working day, a day's journey
1c) days, lifetime (pl.)
1d) time, period (general)
1e) year
1f) temporal references
1f1) today
1f2) yesterday
1f3) tomorrow
יוֹם (yom) — day: year.
: year[of_days]
1) day, time, year
1a) day (as opposed to night)
1b) day (24 hour period)
1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1
1b2) as a division of time
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word קֶ֫דֶם (*qedem*) means 'east' and also refers to 'front' or 'ancient time.' It is derived from another root and can indicate direction (eastward) or time (aforetime, antiquity). The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including geographical and temporal references, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
קֶ֫דֶם n.[m.] front, east, aforetime
loc.
front
East; elsewh. מִקּ׳ = eastward
temp., ancient time, aforetime:
הַרְרֵי ק׳ Dt 33:15 ancient mts.
בִּימֵי ק׳ ψ 44:2 in ancient days
מִקּ׳ from of old
ק׳ alone, as adv. anciently, of old
beginning
base
[קֵ֫דֶם], קֵ֫דְמָה adv. eastward, to, toward the E.
base
H6924a קֶ֫דֶם front, east, aforetime . loc. . front
. East
. temp. ancient time, aforetime
H6924b קֵ֫דֶם, קֵ֫דְמָה eastward, to, toward the E.
6924 qedem keh'-dem
or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from 6923; the front, of place
(absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time
(antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently,
eastward):--aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end,
part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old,
past. Compare 6926.
see HEBREW for 06923
see HEBREW for 06926
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — East.
This name means east, antiquity, front
קֵ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — east.
adv
eastward, to or toward the East
Another spelling of qe.dem (קֶ֫דֶם ": east" H6924)
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: east.
: east
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: old.
: old/ancient
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: forward.
: forward
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
HR/Ncmsa — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
שָׁנָה (shaneh) means 'year' and is derived from the root meaning to change or revolve. It encompasses various aspects of time, including divisions of time, measures of age, and even a lifetime. The Aramaic equivalent is שְׁנָה (she.nah), also meaning 'year'.
שָׁנָה 877 n.f. year (etym. v. √[v.ek.aa])
base
H8141 שָׁנָה year (etym. v. √[8138a])
8141 shaneh shaw-neh'
(in plura or (feminine) shanah {shaw-naw'}; from 8138; a year
(as a revolution of time):--+ whole age, X long, + old,
year(X -ly).
see HEBREW for 08138
שָׁנָה (sha.neh) — year.
1) year
1a) as division of time
1b) as measure of time
1c) as indication of age
1d) a lifetime (of years of life)
Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
HNcfpc — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
עוֹלָם (owlam) refers to concepts of long duration, antiquity, and futurity, encompassing meanings like eternity and perpetual existence. It is derived from a root meaning 'concealed' or 'the vanishing point.' The term is used to describe both ancient times and an indefinite future, indicating continuity and everlastingness.
עוֹלָם 439 n.m. long duration, antiquity, futurity
base
H5769 עוֹלָם long duration, antiquity, futurity
5769 `owlam o-lawm'
or lolam {o-lawm'}; from 5956; properly, concealed, i.e. the
vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future),
i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
(especially with prepositional prefix) always:--alway(-s),
ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for,
(n-))ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of)
old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world
(+ without end). Compare 5331, 5703.
see HEBREW for 05956
see HEBREW for 05331
see HEBREW for 05703
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: enduring.
: enduring/eternal
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — Everlasting.
This name means long duration, everlasting, perpetual
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: any time.
: any_time
1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world
1a) ancient time, long time (of past)
1b) (of future)
1b1) for ever, always
1b2) continuous existence, perpetual
1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity
עוֹלָם (o.lam) — forever: antiquity.
: old/ancient
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa