The big picture
Psalms 77 opens in verse 1 with “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 10 with “And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the…”, and closes in verse 20 with “Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, people, remember, Selah, troubled. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 20Psalms 77:1-7
1–7: I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave…
Psalms 77:1–7 opens with “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.” and reaches “Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by Lord, night, spirit.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Psalms 77:1-7
King James Version1I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
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.
3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
4Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
7Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
Psalms 77:8-14
8–14: Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
Psalms 77:8–14 opens with “Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?” and reaches “Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by remember, wonders, anger.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Psalms 77:8-14
King James Version8Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
9Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
10And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
11I will remember the works of the LORD : surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
14Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
Psalms 77:15-20
15–20: Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and…
Psalms 77:15–20 opens with “Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.” and reaches “Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by waters, people, Aaron.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.” Naming Jacob and Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 77:15-20
King James Version15Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
17The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
18The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
19Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
20Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 77:1 begins with “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 77:9 forms a natural hinge: “Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.”
The final note
Psalms 77:20 leaves the reader with “Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, people, remember, Selah, troubled, voice help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.