Psalms 77:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist questions whether God's mercy and promises have entirely ended.
The Context of Psalms 77:8
The psalmist questions the permanence of God's mercy and the reliability of divine promises.
What Does Psalms 77:8 Mean?
'Is his mercy clean gone for ever?' frames God's mercy as something that might be wholly exhausted or withdrawn. Mercy is the tender compassion by which God chooses to show kindness despite human unworthiness. The phrase 'clean gone' suggests a total absence, leaving no reservoir of grace to draw upon in this desperate hour.
'doth his promise fail for evermore?' shifts from God's present character (mercy) to his reliability (promise). Promises define a covenantal relationship—a binding commitment to act in a certain way. If God's promise fails, the entire foundation of trust crumbles. The psalmist articulates not mere emotional despair but theological crisis: questions about the nature and faithfulness of God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 77:8
What does Psalms 77:8 mean?
The psalmist questions whether God's mercy and promises have entirely ended.
What is the context of Psalms 77:8?
The psalmist questions the permanence of God's mercy and the reliability of divine promises.