Psalms 77:9

9 Has God 1forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His 2compassion? 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? And will He never be favorable again?
8 Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah.
10 Then I said, "It is my grief, That the right hand of the Most High has changed."
11 I shall remember the deeds of the LORD ; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

Cross References 2

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

Footnotes 1

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