Psalms77
English Standard Version
1To the : to . A of . I to , to , and he will me.
2In the of my I the ; in the my is ; my to be .
3When I , I ; when I , my .
4You my ; I am so that I .
5I the of , the .
6I said, Let me my in the ; let me my . Then my made a diligent :
7Will the , and be ?
8Has his ? Are his at an for ?
9Has to be ? Has he in his ?
10Then I , I will to this, to the of the of the .
11I will the of the Lord; , I will your .
12I will your , and on your .
13Your , O , is . is like our ?
14You are the who ; you have made your among the .
15You with your your , the of and .
16When the you, O , when the you, they were ; , the .
17The ; the ; flashed on every .
18The of your was in the ; your the ; the and .
19Your was through the , your through the ; yet your were .
20You your like a by the of and .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 77.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The psalmist's troubles and temptation. (1–10). He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people. (11–20).
vv1-10
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but he sought God, and his favor and grace. Those that are under trouble of mind, must pray it away. He pored upon the trouble; the methods that should have relieved him did but increase his grief. When he remembered God, it was only the Divine justice and wrath. His spirit was overwhelmed, and sank under the load. But let not the remembrance of the comforts we have lost, make us unthankful for those that are left. Particularly he called to remembrance the comforts with which he supported himself in former sorrows. Here is the language of a sorrowful, deserted soul, walking in darkness; a common case even among those that fear the Lord, Isa 50:10. Nothing wounds and pierces like the thought of God's being angry. God's own people, in a cloudy and dark day, may be tempted to make wrong conclusions about their spiritual state, and that of God's kingdom in the world. But we must not give way to such fears. Let faith answer them from the Scripture. The troubled fountain will work itself clear again; and the recollection of former times of joyful experience often raises a hope, tending to relief. Doubts and fears proceed from the want and weakness of faith. Despondency and distrust under affliction, are too often the infirmities of believers, and, as such, are to be thought upon by us with sorrow and shame. When, unbelief is working in us, we must thus suppress its risings.
vv11-20
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typical of the great redemption to be wrought out in the fulness of time, both by price and power. If we have harboured doubtful thoughts, we should, without delay, turn our minds to meditate on that God, who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, that with him, he might freely give us all things.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְדוּתוּן: Jeduthun, an Israelite
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
אָסָף: Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
צָעַק: to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
קוֹל: a voice or sound
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
אָזַן: to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
Cross References
Psalms 77Direct parallel celebrating God's holiness, sanctuary way, and unmatched greatness among the gods.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historic event of the Red Sea dividing when the waters saw God's power.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Echoes leading His people like a flock through the wilderness by designated leaders.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbatim verbal parallel of the grieving soul refusing to be comforted.
Supported by JFB
Parallel discipline of remembering the days of old and meditating on God's works.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Recalls singing praise and holding communion with God in the night seasons.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Theological parallel of God's unsearchable judgments and untraceable, mysterious paths.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Remembers the ancient days of Moses and the bringing up of the flock.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the concept of God giving songs in the night during deep affliction.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Encouragement for the servant of God walking in darkness with no light.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Remembering the Lord when the soul fainted, moving from despair to hope.
Supported by JFB
Finding the resolution of agonizing spiritual doubts by entering the sanctuary of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic description of God walking through the sea and the heap of great waters.
Supported by JFB
Eye trickling down and ceasing not, matching the constant flow of grief.
Supported by John Calvin