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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 77:4 You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/77-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/19_Psa_077_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 77:4 - In The Day of Trouble I Sought the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/77-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/77-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/77.htm">Chapter 77</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/77-3.htm" title="Psalm 77:3">◄</a> Psalm 77:4 <a href="/psalms/77-5.htm" title="Psalm 77:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/77.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/77.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/77.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/77.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/77.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/77.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You hold my eyelids <i>open;</i> I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/77.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have held my eyelids <i>open;</i> I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/77.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You have held my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/77.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Thou hast held my eyelids <i>open;</i> I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/77.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You have held my eyelids <i>open</i>; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/77.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You have held my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/77.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have kept me from closing my eyes; I am troubled and cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/77.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have kept me from closing my eyes; I am troubled and cannot speak. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/77.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou holdest mine eyes watching: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/77.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Because of you, Lord God, I can't sleep. I am restless and can't even talk. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/77.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou holdest mine eyes watching: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/77.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />(You keep my eyelids open.) I am so upset that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/77.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He keeps me awake all night; I am so worried that I cannot speak. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/77.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You kept my eyes open; I was troubled and couldn't speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/77.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/77.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You held my eyelids open; I was troubled and could not speak. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/77.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can't speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/77.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou holdest my eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/77.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can’t speak. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/77.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You have taken hold of the watches of my eyes, "" I have been moved, and I do not speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/77.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thou hast taken hold of the watches of mine eyes, I have been moved, and I speak not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/77.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou didst hold mine eyes watching: I was moved, and I will not speak.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/77.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />My eyes prevented the watches: I was troubled, and I spoke not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/77.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 76:5>My eyes anticipated the vigils. I was disturbed, and I did not speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/77.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You have kept me from closing my eyes in sleep; I am troubled and cannot speak. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/77.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You keep my eyelids from closing; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/77.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />My eyes are dazed; I am dumb so that I cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/77.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And dizziness seized me in my eyes; I was dumb and did not speak.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/77.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou holdest fast the lids of mine eyes; I am troubled, and cannot speak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/77.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />All mine enemies set a watch <i>against me</i>: I was troubled, and spoke not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/77-4.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=9355" 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">3</span>I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint. Selah <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/270.htm" title="270: ’ā·ḥaz·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To grasp, take hold, take possession. A primitive root; to seize.">You have kept</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nāy (N-cdc:: 1cs) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">my eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/8109.htm" title="8109: šə·mu·rō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Eyelid. Feminine of passive participle of shamar; something guarded, i.e. An eye-lid.">from closing;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6470.htm" title="6470: nip̄·‘am·tî (V-Nifal-Perf-1cs) -- To thrust, impel. A primitive root; to tap, i.e. Beat regularly; hence to impel or agitate.">I am too troubled</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: ’ă·ḏab·bêr (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">to speak.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>I considered the days of old, the years long in the past.…<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="/job/7-13.htm">Job 7:13-14</a></span><br />When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, / then You frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-49.htm">Lamentations 3:49-50</a></span><br />My eyes overflow unceasingly, without relief, / until the LORD looks down from heaven and sees.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/6-6.htm">Psalm 6:6</a></span><br />I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Psalm 42:3</a></span><br />My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-7.htm">Psalm 102:7</a></span><br />I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-148.htm">Psalm 119:148</a></span><br />My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-14.htm">Isaiah 38:14</a></span><br />I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-1.htm">Jeremiah 9:1</a></span><br />Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Habakkuk 1:2</a></span><br />How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-38.htm">Matthew 26:38-39</a></span><br />Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” / Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-33.htm">Mark 14:33-34</a></span><br />He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed. / Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-44.htm">Luke 22:44</a></span><br />And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-27.htm">John 12:27</a></span><br />Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26</a></span><br />In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-8.htm">2 Corinthians 1:8-9</a></span><br />We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You hold my eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.</p><p class="hdg">holdest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/6-6.htm">Psalm 6:6</a></b></br> I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/6-1.htm">Esther 6:1</a></b></br> On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/7-13.htm">Job 7:13-15</a></b></br> When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; … </p><p class="hdg">I am</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-13.htm">Job 2:13</a></b></br> So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that <i>his</i> grief was very great.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-3.htm">Job 6:3</a></b></br> For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/23-26.htm">Closing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-34.htm">Disquiet</a> <a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Eyelids</a> <a href="/psalms/73-16.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/76-6.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/psalms/76-4.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/73-23.htm">Held</a> <a href="/psalms/75-3.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/psalms/73-23.htm">Holdest</a> <a href="/psalms/73-27.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/psalms/68-8.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/psalms/74-15.htm">Open</a> <a href="/psalms/76-6.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/psalms/75-5.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/psalms/77-3.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/psalms/71-10.htm">Watching</a> <a href="/psalms/75-5.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/1-9.htm">Closing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-34.htm">Disquiet</a> <a href="/psalms/132-4.htm">Eyelids</a> <a href="/psalms/78-12.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/89-28.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/psalms/78-21.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/94-18.htm">Held</a> <a href="/psalms/79-8.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-18.htm">Holdest</a> <a href="/psalms/78-10.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/psalms/78-58.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/psalms/78-2.htm">Open</a> <a href="/psalms/78-65.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/psalms/78-19.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/psalms/77-16.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/psalms/119-82.htm">Watching</a> <a href="/psalms/78-1.htm">Words</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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>You have kept my eyes from closing;</b><br>This phrase reflects a state of intense distress and sleeplessness, often experienced during times of deep spiritual or emotional turmoil. In the biblical context, sleeplessness can be seen as a result of divine intervention or a spiritual struggle. The psalmist attributes this condition to God, suggesting a belief that God is actively involved in the circumstances causing the distress. This aligns with other biblical instances where God is seen as sovereign over human experiences, such as in <a href="/job/7-3.htm">Job 7:3-4</a>, where Job describes his own sleepless nights as part of his suffering. The imagery of eyes being kept open can also symbolize vigilance or a heightened state of awareness, possibly indicating a period of spiritual testing or refinement.<p><b>I am too troubled to speak.</b><br>The inability to speak due to overwhelming trouble is a common biblical theme, reflecting a depth of anguish that transcends verbal expression. This mirrors the experience of other biblical figures, such as Hannah in <a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">1 Samuel 1:10-13</a>, who prayed silently in her distress. The psalmist's silence can be seen as a form of lament, a significant aspect of Hebrew worship and expression, where the absence of words conveys the gravity of the situation. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative of suffering and reliance on God, as seen in <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26</a>, where the Spirit intercedes with groans too deep for words. The psalmist's silence may also foreshadow the silence of Christ before His accusers, as described in <a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Isaiah 53:7</a>, highlighting a type of Christ in the psalmist's suffering and submission to God's will.<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, known for his deep and reflective psalms.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation often represented in the Psalms, experiencing various trials and tribulations, which are reflected in the psalmist's laments and prayers.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in the psalm, who is both the source of the psalmist's distress and the ultimate hope for deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_sleepless_nights.htm">The Reality of Sleepless Nights</a></b><br>Many believers experience sleepless nights due to anxiety or distress. This is a common human experience, even among the faithful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_lament.htm">The Power of Lament</a></b><br>Lamenting before God is a biblical practice. It is an honest expression of our struggles and a way to seek God's presence and comfort.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_our_distress.htm">God's Sovereignty in Our Distress</a></b><br>Even when we are too troubled to speak, God is aware of our situation. Trusting in His sovereignty can bring peace amidst turmoil.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_response_to_distress.htm">Prayer as a Response to Distress</a></b><br>When words fail us, prayer can be a powerful response. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, even when we cannot articulate our needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_support.htm">Community Support</a></b><br>Sharing our burdens with fellow believers can provide comfort and support. The church community is a vital resource in times of distress.<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/bible's_view_on_overcoming_grief.htm">What does the Bible say about overcoming grief?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/types_of_psalms.htm">What are the different types of Psalms?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_faithful_believers_suffer.htm">Psalm 9:10 promises protection for those who seek God; why do many believers still suffer abandonment or persecution despite faithfulness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_righteous_face_poverty.htm">In Psalm 37:25 ('I have not seen the righteous forsaken'), why do historical records reveal numerous cases where faithful people faced dire poverty or were seemingly abandoned?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/77.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Thou holdest mine eyes waking.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">Thou hast closed the guards of my eyes--i.e., </span>my eyelids. The Authorised Version mistakes the noun. <span class= "ital">guards, </span>for a participle, and mistranslates it by the <span class= "ital">active </span>instead of the <span class= "ital">passive. </span>For the verb <span class= "ital">hold </span>in the sense of <span class= "ital">shut, </span>see <a href="/nehemiah/7-3.htm" title="And I said to them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.">Nehemiah 7:3</a>, and <a href="/job/26-9.htm" title="He holds back the face of his throne, and spreads his cloud on it.">Job 26:9</a>, where God is described as veiling His throne in cloud, and so shutting it up, as it were, from the access of men.<p><span class= "bld">I am so troubled.</span>--The verb is used elsewhere of the <span class= "ital">awestruck </span>state into which the mind is thrown by a mysterious dream (<a href="/genesis/41-8.htm" title="And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them to Pharaoh.">Genesis 41:8</a>; <a href="/daniel/2-1.htm" title="And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, with which his spirit was troubled, and his sleep broke from him.">Daniel 2:1</a>; <a href="/daniel/2-3.htm" title="And the king said to them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.">Daniel 2:3</a>), and once (<a href="/judges/13-25.htm" title="And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.">Judges 13:25</a>) of inspiration, such as impelled the judges of old to become the liberators of their country. The parallelism here shows that it is used in the first connection. The poet has been <span class= "ital">struck dumb </span>(the verb is rendered <span class= "ital">strike </span>in the Lexicons) by a mysterious dream; he is too overawed to speak. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/77.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou holdest mine eyes waking;</span> literally, <span class="accented">thou boldest the watches of mine eyes; i.e.</span> preventedst me from obtaining any sleep. <span class="cmt_word">I am so troubled that I</span> <span class="cmt_word">cannot speak;</span> literally, <span class="accented">I</span> <span class="accented">was perplexed and did not speak.</span> The perplexity was probably caused by an inability to understand God's ways. Why had he afflicted his people? Was the affliction always to continue? Was Israel cast off? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/77-4.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">You have kept</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֭חַזְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥaz·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_270.htm">Strong's 270: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grasp, take hold, take possession</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵינָ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from closing;</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמֻר֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mu·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8109.htm">Strong's 8109: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something guarded, an eye-lid</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I am too troubled</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֝פְעַ֗מְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(nip̄·‘am·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6470.htm">Strong's 6470: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tap, beat regularly, to impel, agitate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to speak.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדַבֵּֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/77-4.htm">Psalm 77:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/77-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 77:4 You hold my eyelids open (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/77-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 77:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 77:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/77-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 77:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 77:5" /></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>