Song (Psalm) 77

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

77:1 God’s leadership

God’s Mighty Deeds Recalled; Comfort in Time of Distress

For the musical director: a song for Yedutun by Asaf.

For the leader: according to Jeduthun: for Asaph: a psalm; For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.; To the leader: according to Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A Psalm.; For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of Asaph.

77 I will call out to God with my voice.

I’ll call with my voice to God, and my God will hear me.

2 ≈When I had troubles, I ≈asked my master for help.

At night I stretched my hands out, and they didn’t get tired.

≈The knot in my stomach wouldn’t go away.

3 I thought of God as I groaned.

I thought about him as I grew faint. (Instrumental break.)

4 You held my eyes open.

I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the days of old,

≈about times long past.

6 I call my song to remembrance in the night.

I meditate within my heart,

and my spirit makes searches around diligently.

7 Will my master reject me forever?

≈Will he never again show me favour?

8 Was his loyal commitment gone forever?

≈Had his promise failed forever?

9 Had God forgotten to be gracious?

≈Had his anger ≈masked his compassion? (Instrumental break.)

10 I said, “This is ≈what saddens me:

→the highest >one ≈no longer using his power to help us.”

11 But I will call to mind ≈what you’ve done previously, Yahweh.

≈I will think about ≈the wonderful things that you did in the past.

12 I will ponder all your activities

≈and will reflect on them.

13 Your way, God, is ^without imperfection.

What god compares to our ≈terrific God?

14 You are the God who does miracles.

You’ve revealed your strength among the peoples.

15 You gave your people victory by use of your great power—

the descendants of Yakov and Yosef. (Instrumental break.)

16 The waters saw you, God.

The waters saw you, and they were afraid.

≈The ocean depths trembled.

17 The clouds poured down water.

The cloudy skies also emitted a thunderous sound.

≈Your arrows of lightning flew about.

18 Your thunderous voice was heard in the wind.

The lightning lit up the world.

The earth trembled and shook.

19 Your path went through the sea

and your trail through the surging waters,

but your footprints couldn’t be seen.

20 You led your people like a flock

≈under the supervision of Mosheh and Aharon (Moses and Aaron).

↑ 77  For_the_director on Yədūtūn/(Jeduthun)\f + \fr 77:1 \ft OSHB variant note: ידיתון: (x-qere) ’יְדוּת֗וּן’: lemma_3038 n_1 morph_HNp id_19GNT יְדוּת֗וּן\f* of_ʼĀşāf a_song.

2 \f + \fr 77:2 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

1\f* my_sound/voice to god and_cry_aloud my_sound/voice to god and_hear to_me.

3 \f + \fr 77:3 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

2\f* in/on_day trouble_of_my my_master I_sought hand_of_my night it_was_stretched_out and_not it_grew_numb it_refused to_be_comforted soul_of_my.

4 \f + \fr 77:4 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

3\f* I_will_remember god and_moan I_will_complain my_breath/wind/spirit and_grows_faint Şelāh.

5 \f + \fr 77:5 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

4\f* you_held the_eyelids_of eyes_of_my I_was_troubled and_not I_spoke.

6 \f + \fr 77:6 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

5\f* I_thought_about days from_east years_of antiquiti(es).

7 \f + \fr 77:7 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

6\f* I_will_remember song_of_my in/on/at/with_night with heart_of_my I_will_meditate my_breath/wind/spirit and_ponders.

8 \f + \fr 77:8 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

7\f* the_to_forevers will_he_reject my_master and_not will_he_repeat to_favourable again.

9 \f + \fr 77:9 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

8\f* the_ceased to_forever steadfast_love_of_his has_it_come_to_an_end a_message for_generations and_genration.

10 \f + \fr 77:10 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

9\f* forgotten to_have_compassion god or has_he_shut_off in/on/at/with_anger compassion_of_his Şelāh.

11 \f + \fr 77:11 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

10\f* and_said grief_I it the_changing of_the_right_hand_of the_Most_High.

12 \f + \fr 77:12 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

77.

11\f* I_will_remember\f + \fr 77:12 \ft OSHB variant note: אזכיר: (x-qere) ’אֶזְכּ֥וֹר’: lemma_2142 morph_HVqi1cs id_19pcc אֶזְכּ֥וֹר\f* the_deeds_of Yah if/because I_will_remember from_east wonders_of_your.