Bible Commentaries
Psalms 77

Introduction

PSALM 77

:-. To Jeduthun—(See on :-, title). In a time of great affliction, when ready to despair, the Psalmist derives relief from calling to mind God's former and wonderful works of delivering power and grace.

Verse 1

1. expresses the purport of the Psalm.

Verse 2

2. his importunacy.

my sore ran . . . night—literally, "my hand was spread," or, "stretched out" (compare Psalms 44:20).

ceased not—literally, "grew not numb," or, "feeble" (Genesis 45:26; Psalms 38:8).

my soul . . . comforted—(compare Genesis 37:35; Jeremiah 31:15).

Verse 3

3-9. His sad state contrasted with former joys.

was troubled—literally, "violently agitated," or disquieted (Psalms 39:6; Psalms 41:5).

my spirit was overwhelmed—or, "fainted" (Psalms 107:5; Jonah 2:7).

Verse 4

4. holdest . . . waking—or, "fast," that I cannot sleep. Thus he is led to express his anxious feelings in several earnest questions indicative of impatient sorrow.

Verse 5

3-9. His sad state contrasted with former joys.

was troubled—literally, "violently agitated," or disquieted (Psalms 39:6; Psalms 41:5).

my spirit was overwhelmed—or, "fainted" (Psalms 107:5; Jonah 2:7).

Verse 10

10. Omitting the supplied words, we may read, "This is my affliction—the years of," &c., "years" being taken as parallel to affliction (compare :-), as of God's ordering.

Verse 11

11, 12. He finds relief in contrasting God's former deliverances. Shall we receive good at His hands, and not evil? Both are orderings of unerring mercy and unfailing love.

Verse 13

13. Thy way . . . in the sanctuary—God's ways of grace and providence (Psalms 22:3; Psalms 67:2), ordered on holy principles, as developed in His worship; or implied in His perfections, if "holiness" be used for "sanctuary," as some prefer translating (compare Psalms 67:2- :).

Verse 14

14-20. Illustrations of God's power in His special interventions for His people ( :-), and, in the more common, but sublime, control of nature (Psalms 22:11-14; Habakkuk 3:14) which may have attended those miraculous events (Habakkuk 3:14- :).

Verse 15

15. Jacob and Joseph—representing all.

Verse 16

14-20. Illustrations of God's power in His special interventions for His people ( :-), and, in the more common, but sublime, control of nature (Psalms 22:11-14; Habakkuk 3:14) which may have attended those miraculous events (Habakkuk 3:14- :).

Verse 19

19. waters . . . , footsteps—may refer to His actual leading the people through the sea, though also expressing the mysteries of providence.

Verse 20

14-20. Illustrations of God's power in His special interventions for His people ( :-), and, in the more common, but sublime, control of nature (Psalms 22:11-14; Habakkuk 3:14) which may have attended those miraculous events (Habakkuk 3:14- :).