Psalms 77:3

I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

I remembered {H2142}{H8799)} God {H430}, and was troubled {H1993}{H8799)}: I complained {H7878}{H8799)}, and my spirit {H7307} was overwhelmed {H5848}{H8691)}. Selah {H5542}.

When remembering God, I moan; when I ponder, my spirit fails. (Selah)

I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint. Selah

I remember God, and am disquieted: I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. [Selah

Psalm 77:3 (KJV): "I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah."

Context

Psalm 77 is attributed to Asaph and is a deeply personal lament. The psalm opens with the psalmist crying out to God in a time of intense distress and sleepless nights. The initial verses, including verse 3, describe the depth of his anguish and internal turmoil as he grapples with difficult circumstances, possibly national or personal, feeling as though God has abandoned him or forgotten to be gracious. This verse captures the paradoxical experience of remembering God, yet finding no immediate comfort, but rather increased trouble and an overwhelming spirit.

Commentary on Psalm 77:3

This verse vividly portrays the psalmist's inner struggle. The phrase "I remembered God, and was troubled" seems counterintuitive. Remembering God should bring peace, yet for the psalmist in his moment of despair, it intensified his pain. Perhaps he remembered God's past actions or promises, contrasting them with his current suffering, leading to confusion and distress. The word translated "troubled" (Hebrew: hamah) can mean to groan, roar, be moved, or disquieted, suggesting a deep, internal agitation.

Following this remembrance and trouble, the psalmist says, "I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed." He expresses his grief and frustration openly ("I complained"), not suppressing his feelings before God. This act of complaining leads to his spirit being "overwhelmed" (Hebrew: ataph), which means to faint, grow weak, or be covered over, indicating a profound sense of helplessness and despondency. This verse normalizes the experience of struggling emotionally even when thinking about God, acknowledging the reality of deep spiritual and emotional pain.

The term "Selah" appears here, as it does frequently in the Psalms. While its exact meaning is debated, it is generally understood as a musical or liturgical direction, likely indicating a pause for reflection or emphasis. Here, it marks a moment to ponder the weight of the psalmist's confession of trouble and overwhelming despair.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Distress: The verse highlights the reality of profound inner turmoil and anxiety experienced by believers.
  • Paradox of Faith in Suffering: It captures the confusing experience of remembering God during hardship and feeling more troubled rather than comforted.
  • Expressing Grief: The psalmist models honesty in expressing complaint and being overwhelmed before God. This resonates with biblical encouragement to bring all our concerns to God.
  • Reflection (Selah): The inclusion of "Selah" prompts the reader to pause and contemplate the depth of the emotion described.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "troubled," hamah (הָמָה), carries a sense of internal commotion or roaring, like waves. It's not just passive trouble but an active disturbance within. The word for "overwhelmed," ataph (עָטַף), means to cover or wrap oneself, often implying a fainting or growing weak, as if the spirit is draped in despair and losing strength. These words emphasize the intense physical and emotional impact of the psalmist's distress.

Reflection and Application

Psalm 77:3 offers comfort in its raw honesty. It assures us that it is okay, even within faith, to struggle with overwhelming emotions and to voice our complaints and confusion to God. Remembering God doesn't always instantly remove pain, but the psalmist's journey through the rest of the psalm shows that wrestling with these feelings before God can lead to a deeper understanding of His character and faithfulness. We are invited to cast our cares upon Him, even when our spirit feels overwhelmed.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 61:2

    From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.

  • Psalms 142:2

    I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.

  • 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.

  • Job 31:23

    For destruction [from] God [was] a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

  • Job 23:15

    Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

  • Job 23:16

    For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

  • Psalms 102:3

    For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
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