Psalms 77:7
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
Original Language Analysis
הַֽ֭לְעוֹלָמִים
for ever
H5769
הַֽ֭לְעוֹלָמִים
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֹסִ֖יף
and will
H3254
יֹסִ֖יף
and will
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
5 of 7
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
Cross References
Psalms 85:1LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.Psalms 85:5Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?Psalms 37:24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.Psalms 89:46How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?Psalms 89:38But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
Historical Context
The fear of divine rejection haunted Israel's consciousness, especially during exile. Lamentations 3:31-32 answers: "The Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion." God's covenant promises (Genesis 17:7, 2 Samuel 7:14-16) guaranteed He would not utterly forsake His people, yet circumstances often contradicted this assurance. The tension between promise and experience generates these anguished questions.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between expressing honest doubt to God and abandoning faith in God?
- What biblical promises directly address the fear of permanent divine rejection?
- How does Christ's experience of forsakenness on the cross address your own sense of abandonment?
Analysis & Commentary
Will the Lord cast off for ever? (הַלְעוֹלָמִים יִזְנַח אֲדֹנָי). Zanach (זָנַח) means to reject, spurn, or cast away permanently. Le'olamim (לְעוֹלָמִים) emphasizes perpetual abandonment. This begins a series of seven anguished questions (vv.7-9) that expose faith's darkest doubts. The questions are not rhetorical exercises but genuine wrestling with apparent divine abandonment.
Will he be favourable no more? (וְלֹא־יֹסִיף לִרְצוֹת עוֹד). Ratsah (רָצָה) means to be pleased with, to show favor, to accept. The psalmist fears God's permanent withdrawal of covenant affection. These questions echo Israel's recurring complaint: "Has God forgotten?" (Psalms 10:11, 13:1). They also anticipate Christ's desolate cry: "My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46). Scripture validates asking hard questions in faith's crucible.