Psalms 77:1

KJV

¶ To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, [even] unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

KJV (with Strong's)

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)}, to Jeduthun {H3038}, A Psalm {H4210} of Asaph {H623}. I cried {H6817}{H8799)} unto God {H430} with my voice {H6963}, even unto God {H430} with my voice {H6963}; and he gave ear {H238}{H8689)} unto me.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the leader. For Y'dutun. A psalm of Asaf: I cry aloud to God, aloud to God; and he hears me.

Berean Standard Bible

I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me.

American Standard Version

I will cry unto God with my voice, Even unto God with my voice; and he will give ear unto me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 77:1 opens with a profound and intensely personal lament, immediately plunging the reader into the psalmist's deep distress as he repeatedly cries out to God. This verse establishes a foundational act of desperate supplication, conveying both the urgency of his need and an underlying, albeit challenged, faith in God's attentiveness and willingness to hear.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 77 begins a deeply personal and emotionally charged lament, with verse 1 serving as the initial, desperate cry that sets the stage for the psalmist's subsequent spiritual wrestling. The immediate narrative flow sees the psalmist moving from this initial plea (verse 1) into a night of restless anguish and questioning God's apparent silence and past actions (verses 2-9). The repetition of "I cried unto God with my voice" in this opening verse underscores the profound distress and sets a tone of urgent supplication, which is crucial for understanding the depth of the psalmist's later doubts and his eventual turning to the remembrance of God's mighty deeds in salvation history (verses 10-20), particularly the Exodus. This opening cry is the emotional anchor, grounding the psalm in a raw, honest expression of human suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription "To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph" provides vital insight into the psalm's setting. Asaph was one of the prominent Levitical choir leaders appointed by King David, indicating that this psalm was composed for and utilized within the structured temple worship of ancient Israel. The practice of lament, including vocal and often public expressions of distress, was a well-established and culturally accepted form of prayer in the ancient Near East, reflecting a deep-seated belief in the deity's ability and willingness to hear human cries. The mention of Jeduthun suggests a specific musical instruction or liturgical style, further highlighting its role in communal or individual worship guided by the temple musicians. This context underscores that the psalmist's desperate cry was not an anomaly but a recognized and encouraged mode of communication with God within Israelite piety.
* **Key Themes:** This inaugural verse introduces several significant themes that resonate throughout Psalm 77 and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **desperate supplication**, powerfully conveyed by the repeated phrase "I cried unto God with my voice." This is not a casual prayer but an urgent, heartfelt outpouring of anguish, echoing the deep cries found in other laments like [Psalm 130:1](/psalms/130-1 "Psalm 130:1 - Out of the depths have I cried"). Intertwined with this is the theme of **God's attentiveness**, expressed in "he gave ear unto me." This phrase signifies more than mere hearing; it implies an active, compassionate listening and responsiveness from God, a fundamental aspect of His covenantal character, as affirmed in [Psalm 34:15](/psalms/34-15 "Psalm 34:15 - The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous"). Finally, the emphasis on **vocal prayer** ("with my voice") highlights the sincerity and earnestness of the psalmist's appeal, underscoring that prayer can be a physical, embodied act of faith and vulnerability, demonstrating the depth of one's need before God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cried (Hebrew, _qara'_):** This verb means to call, cry out, or proclaim. In this context, its use conveys an intense sense of urgency, summoning, or an appeal for divine intervention. The repetition of this word emphasizes the psalmist's profound distress and the persistent, unreserved nature of his plea, indicating a desperate outpouring of emotion rather than a casual request.
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qol'_):** Referring to sound, voice, or even thunder, "voice" here underscores the audible and physical manifestation of the psalmist's prayer. It suggests that the prayer was not merely a thought but a vocalized expression, highlighting the depth of emotion, sincerity, and perhaps the public or communal nature of the lament, even if deeply personal.
* **Gave ear (Hebrew, _qashab'_):** This verb denotes listening attentively, heeding, or paying close attention. It implies a more active and engaged form of listening than simply hearing, suggesting that God is not just aware of the sound but is actively inclined to respond. Its presence in this opening verse establishes the psalmist's initial confidence, despite subsequent doubts, that God is indeed attentive and responsive to his cries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.":** This superscription serves as an essential heading, providing crucial information about the psalm's authorship (Asaph), its intended musical setting (for the chief musician), and possibly a specific melodic or liturgical instruction (to Jeduthun). It situates the psalm within the organized worship life of ancient Israel, indicating its authoritative origin and its purpose in guiding either communal or individual devotion.
* **"I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice;":** This is the heart of the psalmist's opening declaration, characterized by powerful repetition. The emphatic reiteration of "I cried unto God with my voice" conveys the psalmist's extreme distress, the urgency of his situation, and his singular focus on God as the sole source of help. It paints a picture of a desperate, persistent, and deeply personal outpouring of anguish, underscoring the raw honesty and intensity of the lament.
* **"and he gave ear unto me.":** This concluding clause expresses the psalmist's immediate conviction or foundational belief in God's attentiveness. Despite the profound struggles and doubts that will unfold later in the psalm, this opening affirmation asserts that God has indeed heard his cry. It implies an expectation or a past experience of divine responsiveness, setting up the tension between present suffering and the underlying trust in God's ultimate action.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 77:1 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the psalmist's intense emotional state and the nature of his prayer. The most striking is **Repetition**, specifically a form of **Anaphora**, seen in the reiteration of the phrase "I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice." This exact repetition of the entire clause serves to dramatically amplify the urgency, desperation, and singular focus of the psalmist's plea. It conveys an insistent, almost pleading, call to God, emphasizing that this is no casual prayer but a deeply earnest and persistent cry. This repetition also creates a strong sense of **Emphasis**, immediately drawing the reader's attention to the psalmist's overwhelming distress and the profound act of crying out. Furthermore, the phrase "he gave ear unto me" utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human physical characteristic (ears) and action (giving ear) to God. This device makes God's attentiveness more relatable and immediate for the human worshiper, reassuring the psalmist and the audience that God is not distant or indifferent but actively engaged with human suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 77:1 introduces the profound theological truth that God is not only accessible but also profoundly attentive to the cries of His people, even in their deepest anguish. This initial declaration, despite the psalmist's subsequent wrestling with doubt and despair, establishes a foundational principle of biblical faith: that genuine, heartfelt lament is a legitimate and necessary form of prayer, and that God hears such prayers. It underscores the intimate, covenantal relationship where God commits to listening to and engaging with the burdens and anguish of His people. This verse sets the stage for the psalm's journey from personal despair to a remembrance of God's steadfast character and mighty acts in history, demonstrating that even when God feels distant or silent, the act of crying out in faith is the indispensable first step towards renewed hope and trust in His divine responsiveness.

* [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - In my distress I called to the Lord")
* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The righteous cry, and the Lord hears")
* [Lamentations 3:55-57](/lamentations/3-55 "Lamentations 3:55-57 - I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 77:1 offers profound encouragement and validation for believers navigating seasons of intense distress, doubt, or spiritual darkness. It teaches us that authentic faith does not demand stoicism or the suppression of pain, but rather invites us to bring our raw, unvarnished anguish directly to God. The psalmist's repeated, vocal cry models a desperate earnestness that God not only tolerates but welcomes. In a world that often pressures us to present a facade of strength, this verse reminds us that vulnerability before God is a pathway to genuine connection and healing. It assures us that even when our prayers feel like desperate shouts into the void, God's ear is inclined towards us, and His compassionate attention is unwavering. This foundational trust in God's hearing, even amidst the wrestling, empowers us to persist in prayer, knowing that our cries are never unheard, and that the journey from lament to renewed hope often begins with this honest, vocal outpouring of our deepest fears and desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the psalmist's "repeated cry" reveal about the nature of his distress and his approach to God?**
* **How does the phrase "he gave ear unto me" provide a foundation for hope, even when God's presence feels distant or silent?**
* **In what ways might vocalizing your prayers, as the psalmist did, deepen your personal connection and sense of earnestness with God?**
* **How can Psalm 77:1 encourage you to be more honest and persistent in your own prayers, especially during times of struggle or spiritual darkness?**

### FAQ
**Why is the psalmist's cry repeated ("even unto God with my voice")?**

Answer: The repetition of "I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice" is a powerful literary device used to emphasize the intensity, urgency, and singular focus of the psalmist's plea. It conveys a profound sense of desperation and persistence, indicating that this was not a casual prayer but an earnest, almost relentless, outpouring of anguish. This rhetorical emphasis underscores the depth of the psalmist's distress and his unwavering conviction that God is the only one who can provide relief, setting the stage for the deep spiritual wrestling that unfolds in the rest of [Psalm 77](/psalms/77 "Psalm 77 - A Psalm of Lament and Remembrance").

**Does "he gave ear unto me" mean God immediately answered the psalmist's prayer?**

Answer: While "he gave ear unto me" signifies God's attentiveness and willingness to hear, it does not necessarily imply an immediate or complete resolution to the psalmist's distress. In the context of [Psalm 77](/psalms/77 "Psalm 77 - A Psalm of Lament and Remembrance") as a whole, the psalmist continues to express deep anguish and doubt in subsequent verses (e.g., [Psalms 77:2-9](/psalms/77-2 "Psalm 77:2-9 - The Psalmist's Continued Distress and Questioning")). Therefore, "he gave ear unto me" functions more as a foundational statement of faith in God's character—that He is a God who hears—rather than a declaration of immediate deliverance. It sets up the tension between the psalmist's present suffering and his underlying trust in God's ultimate responsiveness, a trust that is ultimately affirmed through remembering God's mighty acts in history.

**What is the significance of the superscription "To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph"?**

Answer: The superscription provides crucial information for understanding the psalm's origin and purpose. "A Psalm of Asaph" attributes the psalm to Asaph, one of the three chief Levitical musicians appointed by King David to lead worship in the tabernacle and later the temple. This indicates its authoritative origin and its place within the sacred music of Israel. "To the chief Musician" (or "choir director") signifies that it was intended for public liturgical use, under the guidance of the lead musician. "To Jeduthun" likely refers to a specific musical instruction, perhaps a tune, a style of performance, or a particular choir division associated with Jeduthun, another prominent Levitical musician. Together, these elements highlight the psalm's role in the structured worship life of ancient Israel, suggesting it was used to guide the community in expressing lament and seeking God's presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 77:1, with its raw depiction of desperate crying out to God and the affirmation of His attentive ear, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist cries out from a place of personal anguish, Jesus, the perfect Man and Son of God, experienced the deepest human suffering and cried out to His Father. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus "offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears" ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience")), demonstrating the ultimate embodiment of desperate supplication. His cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes the deepest lament, yet it was precisely through this ultimate cry of abandonment that God's ear was attentive, not to spare Him from the cross, but to accomplish salvation for humanity. Through Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death, humanity's cries for deliverance from sin and death are heard and answered. Believers now have direct access to God's attentive ear through Christ, our great High Priest, who "is able to sympathize with our weaknesses" ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Great High Priest")). Thus, the psalmist's initial hope that God "gave ear unto me" is fully realized in the new covenant, where every cry of the believer is heard by a Father who sent His Son to bridge the gap, ensuring that in Christ, we always have an advocate before the throne of grace ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 3:4

¶ I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psalms 142:1

¶ Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.

Psalms 142:3

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

Psalms 39:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [even] to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

Psalms 50:1

¶ A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, [even] the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

Psalms 62:1

¶ To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him [cometh] my salvation.

Psalms 34:6

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.