King James Version

What Does Psalms 77:8 Mean?

Psalms 77:8 in the King James Version says “Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore ? for evermore: Heb. to generation and generation?” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 77 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore ? for evermore: Heb. to generation and generation?”

Psalms 77:8 · KJV

Context

6

I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

7

Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

8

Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore ? for evermore: Heb. to generation and generation?

9

Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

10

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Is his mercy clean gone for ever? (הָאָפֵס לָנֶצַח חַסְדּוֹ). Chesed (חֶסֶד)—God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, faithful kindness—is central to Hebrew theology. Aphes (אָפֵס) means to cease, come to an end, be exhausted. Can chesed—God's defining attribute—simply terminate? The question is theologically shocking yet psychologically honest.

Doth his promise fail for evermore? (גָּמַר אֹמֶר לְדֹר וָדֹר). Gamar (גָּמַר) means to complete, finish, or cease. Omer (אֹמֶר) is God's spoken word or promise. Le-dor va-dor (לְדֹר וָדֹר) means "generation to generation." Could God's word—which is "for ever settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89)—actually fail across generations? The psalmist articulates what many believers feel but fear to say: What if God breaks His word?

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Historical & Cultural Context

God's chesed is His covenant commitment demonstrated supremely in the exodus (Exodus 15:13, 20:6). His promises to Abraham, Moses, and David formed Israel's confidence. Yet historical catastrophes—Egyptian bondage, wilderness wandering, Assyrian invasion, Babylonian exile—seemed to contradict these promises. The prophets insisted chesed never ceases (Lamentations 3:22, Isaiah 54:10). The New Testament reveals God's ultimate chesed in Christ (John 1:14, Ephesians 2:4-7).

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the significance of questioning whether God's <em>chesed</em> (covenant love) can fail?
  2. How do you respond when circumstances seem to contradict God's explicit promises?
  3. How does the cross demonstrate that God's <em>chesed</em> and promises are eternally secure?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
הֶאָפֵ֣ס1 of 7

“clean gone”

H656

to disappear, i.e., cease

לָנֶ֣צַח2 of 7

“for ever”

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

חַסְדּ֑וֹ3 of 7

“Is his mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

גָּ֥מַר4 of 7

“fail”

H1584

to end (in the sense of completion or failure)

אֹ֝֗מֶר5 of 7

“doth his promise”

H562

a promise, a saying

וָדֹֽר׃6 of 7

“for evermore”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

וָדֹֽר׃7 of 7

“for evermore”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 77:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 77:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 9:62 Peter 3:9Numbers 23:19Numbers 14:34Luke 16:25-26Jeremiah 15:18

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