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Psalm 77:9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?" Selah
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Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/77.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/77.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/77.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/77.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/77.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/77.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/77.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/77.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger shut up His compassion? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/77.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/77.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? ” Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/77.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?” Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/77.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? [Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/77.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Have you forgotten how to have pity? Do you refuse to show mercy because of your anger?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/77.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/77.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he locked up his compassion because of his anger? [Selah]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/77.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has anger taken the place of his compassion?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/77.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/77.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has his anger stifled his compassion?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/77.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?" Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/77.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/77.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/77.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/77.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Has God forgotten [His] favors? Has He shut up His mercies in anger? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/77.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Hath God forgotten His favours? Hath He shut up in anger His mercies? Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/77.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Did God forget to compassionate? or in anger did he gather his compassion? Silence.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/77.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Or will God forget to shew mercy? or will he in his anger shut up his mercies? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/77.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 76:10>And would God ever forget to be merciful? Or, would he, in his wrath, restrict his mercies?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/77.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten how to show mercy, in anger withheld his compassion?” <i>Selah</i> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/77.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/77.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Has God forgotten to be gracious? has he in anger shut up his tender mercies?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/77.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Or has God forgotten to love, or does he withhold his mercies in his wrath?"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/77.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath He in anger shut up his compassions?' Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/77.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Will God forget to pity? or will he shut up his compassions in his wrath? Pause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/77-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9384" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm">In The Day of Trouble I Sought the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">Has God</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: hă·šā·ḵaḥ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">forgotten</a> <a href="/hebrew/2603.htm" title="2603: ḥan·nō·wṯ (V-Piel-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore.">to be gracious?</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: bə·’ap̄ (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">Has His anger</a> <a href="/hebrew/7092.htm" title="7092: qā·p̄aṣ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- Draw together, shut. A primitive root; to draw together, i.e. Close; by implication, to leap; specifically, to die.">shut off</a> <a href="/hebrew/7356.htm" title="7356: ra·ḥă·māw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Compassion. From racham; compassion; by extension, the womb; by implication, a maiden.">His compassion?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5542.htm" title="5542: se·lāh (Interjection) -- To lift up, exalt. From calah; suspension, i.e. Pause.">Selah</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>So I said, “I am grieved that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-14.htm">Isaiah 49:14-15</a></span><br />But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!” / “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-31.htm">Lamentations 3:31-33</a></span><br />For the Lord will not cast us off forever. / Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion. / For He does not willingly afflict or grieve the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-7.htm">Isaiah 54:7-8</a></span><br />“For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. / In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-20.htm">2 Corinthians 1:20</a></span><br />For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-29.htm">Romans 11:29</a></span><br />For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/23-19.htm">Numbers 23:19</a></span><br />God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a></span><br />Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-13.htm">2 Timothy 2:13</a></span><br />if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-6.htm">Deuteronomy 31:6</a></span><br />Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27-31</a></span><br />Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my claim is ignored by my God”? / Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. / He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-22.htm">1 Samuel 12:22</a></span><br />Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-6.htm">Malachi 3:6</a></span><br />“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-56.htm">1 Kings 8:56</a></span><br />“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/21-45.htm">Joshua 21:45</a></span><br />Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Has God forgotten to be gracious? has he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/40-27.htm">Isaiah 40:27</a></b></br> Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/49-14.htm">Isaiah 49:14,15</a></b></br> But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/63-15.htm">Isaiah 63:15</a></b></br> Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where <i>is</i> thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?</p><p class="hdg">shut up</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/13-25.htm">Luke 13:25-28</a></b></br> When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/11-32.htm">Romans 11:32</a></b></br> For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a></b></br> But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels <i>of compassion</i> from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/76-7.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/psalms/72-13.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/psalms/69-16.htm">Compassions</a> <a href="/job/19-17.htm">Favours</a> <a href="/psalms/44-20.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/psalms/67-1.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/psalms/77-6.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/69-16.htm">Mercies</a> <a href="/psalms/67-1.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/psalms/72-13.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/psalms/77-3.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/69-15.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/69-16.htm">Tender</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-9.htm">Withdrawn</a> <a href="/psalms/66-20.htm">Withheld</a> <a href="/psalms/76-12.htm">Wrath</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/psalms/79-8.htm">Compassions</a> <a href="/job/19-17.htm">Favours</a> <a href="/psalms/102-4.htm">Forgotten</a> <a href="/psalms/86-3.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/psalms/77-11.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/79-8.htm">Mercies</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/psalms/77-15.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/79-8.htm">Tender</a> <a href="/psalms/85-3.htm">Withdrawn</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm">Withheld</a> <a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Wrath</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 77</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/77-1.htm">The psalmist shows what fierce combat he had with distrust</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/77-10.htm">The victory which he had by consideration of God's great and gracious works.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/77.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/77.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Has God forgotten to be gracious?</b><br>This phrase reflects a deep sense of despair and questioning of God's character. In the biblical context, the psalmist is expressing a moment of doubt during a time of distress. The question implies a struggle with understanding God's nature, which is consistently portrayed as gracious throughout Scripture. In <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6</a>, God is described as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." This rhetorical question highlights the tension between the psalmist's current experience and the historical understanding of God's character. It invites reflection on the nature of divine grace, which is unmerited favor, and challenges believers to trust in God's unchanging nature even when circumstances seem contrary.<p><b>Has His anger shut off His compassion?</b><br>This phrase suggests a fear that God's wrath might have eclipsed His mercy. In the historical and cultural context of Israel, God's anger was often understood as a response to covenant unfaithfulness, as seen in the cycles of sin and redemption in the Book of Judges. However, God's compassion is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, as seen in <a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">Lamentations 3:22-23</a>, which assures that "His compassions never fail. They are new every morning." The psalmist's question reflects a common human struggle to reconcile God's justice with His mercy. It also points to the prophetic hope found in Jesus Christ, who embodies both God's justice and mercy, offering redemption and reconciliation.<p><b>Selah</b><br>The term "Selah" is often found in the Psalms and is thought to be a musical or liturgical marker, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or emphasis. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it serves as an invitation to pause and meditate on the preceding words. In this context, "Selah" encourages the reader to contemplate the profound questions about God's nature and to seek a deeper understanding of His grace and compassion. It underscores the importance of reflection in the life of faith, allowing believers to process their doubts and reaffirm their trust in God's unchanging character.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/asaph.htm">Asaph</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm">Psalm 77</a>, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court. He is known for his deep and often questioning psalms that reflect on God's character and actions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of Israel is often the backdrop for the psalms, reflecting their collective struggles, doubts, and faith in God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_compassion_and_grace.htm">God's Compassion and Grace</a></b><br>Central themes in this verse, reflecting on God's nature and His relationship with His people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exodus.htm">The Exodus</a></b><br>While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm">Psalm 77</a> reflects on God's past deliverance of Israel, particularly the Exodus, as a reminder of His faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctuary.htm">The Sanctuary</a></b><br>Asaph often reflects on the sanctuary, the place where God's presence dwelt among His people, as a source of hope and remembrance of God's past deeds.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_nature.htm">Understanding God's Nature</a></b><br>God's character is consistent; He is always gracious and compassionate. Our circumstances do not change His nature.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dealing_with_doubt.htm">Dealing with Doubt</a></b><br>It's natural to question and doubt in times of distress. Like Asaph, we can bring our doubts to God in prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/remembering_past_faithfulness.htm">Remembering Past Faithfulness</a></b><br>Reflecting on God's past actions in our lives and in Scripture can strengthen our faith during challenging times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a></b><br>Sharing our struggles and doubts with fellow believers can provide support and remind us of God's truths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_timing.htm">Trusting in God's Timing</a></b><br>God's timing and ways are perfect, even when they are beyond our understanding. Trusting in His plan is crucial.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_77.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 77</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_77_9_fit_god's_mercy.htm">If Psalm 77:9 asks whether God can forget to be gracious, how does this align with the Bible’s broader depiction of God as eternally merciful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_teachings_on_compassion.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on compassion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god's_mercy_universal.htm">Is God merciful to all? (Psalm 145:9 vs. Isaiah 13:9)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_humanity's_origin.htm">What does the Hebrew word 'hesed' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/77.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hath</span> <span class="cmt_word">God forgotten to be gracious?</span> Can God, who forgets nothing and no one (<a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a>), have forgotten his own nature, which is to be "merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness" (<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6</a>)? Assuredly not. The higher nature in the psalmist, as Professor Cheyne observes, expostulates with the lower one. <span class="cmt_word">Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?</span> Has he shut them up, "as in a closed hand" (Kay, Canon Cook)? (comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/15-7.htm">Deuteronomy 15:7</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/77-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Has God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forgotten</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲשָׁכַ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(hă·šā·ḵaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be gracious?</span><br /><span class="heb">חַנּ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥan·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2589.htm">Strong's 2589: </a> </span><span class="str2">Be gracious, entreat </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Has His anger</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּ֝אַ֗ף</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shut off</span><br /><span class="heb">קָפַ֥ץ</span> <span class="translit">(qā·p̄aṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7092.htm">Strong's 7092: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw together, close, to leap, to die</span><br /><br /><span class="word">His compassion?”</span><br /><span class="heb">רַחֲמָ֥יו</span> <span class="translit">(ra·ḥă·māw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7356.htm">Strong's 7356: </a> </span><span class="str2">Compassion, the womb, a maiden</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Selah</span><br /><span class="heb">סֶֽלָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(se·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5542.htm">Strong's 5542: </a> </span><span class="str2">Suspension, pause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/77-9.htm">Psalm 77:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/77-9.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 77:9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/77-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 77:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 77:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/77-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 77:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 77:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>