Psalms 77:7
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 77:7
7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
Chapter Context
Psalms 77 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of righteousness, redemption, judgment. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 77:7
7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H136 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- References Lord: Psalms 37:24, 85:1, 89:46
- Parallel theme: Psalms 85:5, 89:38