Psalms 77:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You hold my eyelids [and keep me from sleeping]; I am too troubled to speak.

Berean Standard Bible:

You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak.

American Standard Version:

Thou holdest mine eyes watching: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Thou holdest{H270}{H8804)} mine eyes{H5869} waking{H8109}: I am so troubled{H6470}{H8738)} that I cannot speak{H1696}{H8762)}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Job 7:13

  • When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;

Job 7:15

  • So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life.

Psalms 6:6

  • I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

Job 2:13

  • 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 [his] grief was very great.

Esther 6:1

  • ¶ 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.

Job 6:3

  • For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

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Commentary for Psalms 77:4

Psalm 77:4 is part of a lament psalm traditionally attributed to Asaph, a Levite and one of the leaders of King David's choir. The verse reflects a moment of deep personal anguish and spiritual struggle. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by troubles that are so intense they affect him both emotionally and physically, to the point where he is unable to speak. The imagery of "Thou holdest mine eyes waking" suggests a state of sleeplessness, indicating that the psalmist's distress is so profound that it robs him of rest and peace.

In the broader historical context of the Psalms, such expressions of despair often arose from the tumultuous experiences of the Israelites, including times of oppression, exile, and national crisis. The psalmist's cry can be seen as a representation of the collective suffering of the people, as well as an individual's heartfelt plea for divine intervention and comfort. This verse captures the raw humanity of a person reaching out to God in the midst of overwhelming circumstances, seeking solace and a restoration of hope. It speaks to the universal experience of grappling with distress and the search for meaning and relief in the presence of the Divine.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H270
    There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָחַז
    Transliteration: ʼâchaz
    Pronunciation: aw-khaz'
    Description: a primitive root; to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession); [phrase] be affrighted, bar, (catch, lay, take) hold (back), come upon, fasten, handle, portion, (get, have or take) possess(-ion).
  2. Strong's Number: H5869
    There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עַיִן
    Transliteration: ʻayin
    Pronunciation: ah'-yin
    Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
  3. Strong's Number: H8109
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁמֻרָה
    Transliteration: shᵉmurâh
    Pronunciation: shem-oo-raw'
    Description: feminine of passive participle of שָׁמַר; something guarded, i.e. an eye-lid; waking.
  4. Strong's Number: H6470
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּעַם
    Transliteration: pâʻam
    Pronunciation: paw-am'
    Description: a primitive root; to tap, i.e. beat regularly; hence (generally) to impel or agitate; move, trouble.
  5. Strong's Number: H1696
    There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָבַר
    Transliteration: dâbar
    Pronunciation: daw-bar'
    Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.