Psalms 77:9

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Psalms 77:9 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Interlude
The Message Bible (MSG)
9 Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us?
American Standard Version (ASV)
9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? [Selah
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he locked up his compassion because of his anger? Selah
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?" Selah
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
9 Has God forgotten to show us his favor? Has he held back his tender love because he was angry?" "Selah"

Psalms 77:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 77:9

Hath God forgotten to be gracious
He has not, is it possible that he should? as the Targum; it is not; he cannot forget the purposes of his grace and mercy, nor the covenant and promises of it, nor people the objects of it; and much less can he for his grace and mercy itself, so agreeable to his nature, what he delights in, and which he has proclaimed in Christ:

hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?;
as an avaricious man shuts up his hand, and will not communicate liberally; or as the sea is shut up with doors, that its waters may not overflow; no, the mercies of God are not restrained, though unbelief says they are, at least queries if they are not, ( Isaiah 63:15 ) , but Faith says they flow freely through Christ, and the people of God are crowned with lovingkindness and tender mercies; God gives liberally, and upbraideth not; and though he may hide his face in a little seeming wrath for a moment, yet with great mercies will he gather, and with everlasting kindness will he have mercy.

Selah. (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

Psalms 77:9 In-Context

7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 25:6; Psalms 40:11; Psalms 51:1
  • 2. Isaiah 49:15
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