The Book of Psalms

⭑ Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 77 -

In the day of trouble I sought the Lord

Unto the end. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.

I cried out to the Lord with my voice, to God with my voice, and he attended to me.

In the days of my tribulation, I sought God, with my hands opposite him in the night, and I was not deceived. My soul refused to be consoled.

I was mindful of God, and I was delighted, and I was distressed, and my spirit fell away.(a)

My eyes anticipated the vigils. I was disturbed, and I did not speak.

I considered the days of antiquity, and I held the years of eternity in my mind.

And I meditated in the night with my heart, and I was distressed, and I examined my spirit.

So then, will God reject for eternity? Will he not continue to allow himself to show favor?(b)

Or, will he cut off his mercy in the end, from generation to generation?

And would God ever forget to be merciful? Or, would he, in his wrath, restrict his mercies?

And I said, “Now I have begun. This change is from the right hand of the Most High.”

I was mindful of the works of the Lord. For I will be mindful from the beginning of your wonders,

and I will meditate on all your works. And I will take part in your intentions.

Your way, O God, is in what is holy. Which God is great like our God?

You are the God who performs miracles. You have made your virtue known among the peoples.

With your arm, you have redeemed your people, the sons of Jacob and of Joseph.

The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you, and they were afraid, and the depths were stirred up.

Great was the sound of the waters. The clouds uttered a voice. For your arrows also pass by.

The voice of your thunder is like a wheel. Your flashes have illuminated the whole world. The earth has quaked and trembled.

Your way is through the sea, and your paths are through many waters. And your traces will not be known.

You have conducted your people like sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Footnotes

(a)76:4 This verse sums up the contemplative way. First, you consider God with your mind. Second, you find delight in God and receive light and consolation. Third, you encounter hardships, walking, as it were, a dark and rocky road to Calvary. This third step is called the dark night of the soul. Fourth, you arrive at a contemplation of God whereby your sense of self and all traces of self-interest fall away, leaving only God.(Conte)

(b)76:8 The word ‘numquid’ indicates that the answer to the question is ‘no.’ Therefore, the phrasing of the question must also indicate that fact. The latter part of this verse is translated loosely, otherwise the meaning would be obscured.(Conte)

In the day of trouble I sought the Lord

My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, and for him to listen to me.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted.

I remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah.

You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can’t speak.

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

I remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; my spirit diligently inquires:

“Will the Lord reject us forever? Will he be favorable no more?

Has his loving kindness vanished forever? Does his promise fail for generations?

Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah.

Then I thought, “I will appeal to this: the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

I will remember the LORD’s deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old.

I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings.

Your way, God, is in the sanctuary. What god is great like God?

You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples.

You have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

The waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they writhed. The depths also convulsed.

The clouds poured out water. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows also flashed around.

The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.

Your way was through the sea, your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known.

You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.