77:1 *[For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.] I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. / *In Hebrew texts 77:1-20 is numbered 77:2-21.
77:2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.
77:3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.* / *The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 9 and 15.
77:4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
77:5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
77:6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
77:7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
77:8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
77:9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
77:10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
77:11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
77:12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
77:13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
77:14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
77:15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
77:16 The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.
77:17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.
77:18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.
77:19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
77:20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.