Psalms77

The psalmist expresses deep distress and overwhelming sorrow, crying out to God and questioning His enduring mercy and faithfulness. He then resolves to remember God's mighty works and wonders from ancient times. He recalls God's powerful acts of redemption, particularly leading Israel through the Red Sea and the wilderness by Moses and Aaron.

A Cry of Deep Distress

1
For the leader. For Y'dutun. A psalm of Asaf: I cry aloud to God, aloud to God; and he hears me. ​
2
On the day of my distress I am seeking Adonai; my hands are lifted up; my tears flow all night without ceasing; my heart refuses comfort. ​
3
When remembering God, I moan; when I ponder, my spirit fails. (Selah) ​
4
You hold my eyelids [and keep me from sleeping]; I am too troubled to speak.

Questioning God's Faithfulness

5
I think about the days of old, the years of long ago; ​
6
in the night I remember my song, I commune with myself, my spirit inquires:
7
"Will Adonai reject forever? will he never show his favor again? ​
8
Has his grace permanently disappeared? Is his word to all generations done away?
9
Has God forgotten to be compassionate? Has he in anger withheld his mercy?" (Selah) ​

Resolving to Remember God's Works

10
Then I add, "That's my weakness [supposing] the Most High's right hand could change." ​
11
So I will remind myself of Yah's doings; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. ​
12
I will meditate on your work and think about what you have done.
13
God, your way is in holiness. What god is as great as God? ​
14
You are the God who does wonders, you revealed your strength to the peoples.
15
With your arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Ya'akov and Yosef. (Selah) ​

Remembering the Wonders of the Exodus

16
The water saw you, God; the water saw you and writhed in anguish, agitated to its depths. ​
17
The clouds poured water, the skies thundered, and your arrows flashed here and there. ​
18
The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind, the lightning flashes lit up the world, the earth trembled and shook.
19
Your way went through the sea, your path through the turbulent waters; but your footsteps could not be traced. ​
20
You led your people like a flock under the care of Moshe and Aharon. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 77

Verse 1

The psalm begins as a profound lament, attributed to Asaph and set to the tune of Jeduthun (a choir director). The repetition of the phrase 'unto God with my voice' emphasizes the intensity and desperation of the prayer.

Verse 2

The phrase 'my sore ran in the night' (KJV) or 'my hand was stretched out' (ESV) signifies constant affliction. The soul’s refusal to be comforted highlights a state of deep spiritual despair, common in the darkest parts of the lament psalms.

Verse 3

Paradoxically, remembrance of God brings not comfort but further distress, suggesting the Psalmist fears God has become his adversary or judge rather than his deliverer. Selah calls for a pause for musical or meditative reflection on this overwhelming despair.

Verse 5

The Psalmist seeks relief by reflecting on 'the days of old,' hoping to find historical precedent for God’s intervention, yet this reflection initially deepens his anxiety.

Verse 7

Verses 7-9 articulate the core crisis of faith. The Psalmist questions God's eternal attributes: His enduring commitment ('cast off forever'), His unfailing covenant love ('mercy clean gone'), and His ability to keep His promises.

Verse 9

The final question is theological, asking if God has actively 'shut up' or restrained His compassion. This series of rhetorical questions expresses the depth of feeling abandoned by the covenant God.

Verse 10

This verse marks the crucial turning point (the pivot) of the psalm. The Psalmist recognizes his doubt as 'infirmity' (a weakness of faith) and resolves to shift his focus from his feelings to God’s historical acts of power and redemption ('the years of the right hand').

Verse 11

The resolve is stated explicitly: the Psalmist will not dwell on present misery but will intentionally recall God's great deeds ('wonders of old'), a necessary discipline to combat spiritual despair.

Verse 13

The phrase 'Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary' may refer either to the earthly Temple or, more likely, to the sphere of God's holiness and power in heaven. It affirms that God’s methods are holy, transcendent, and incomparable.

Verse 15

The reference to 'Jacob and Joseph' identifies the specific redemptive history the Psalmist will recall: the Exodus, the foundational story of God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery 'with thine arm' (a symbol of divine strength).

Verse 16

The Psalmist now recounts the crossing of the Red Sea. The personification of the waters seeing God and recoiling emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over creation, forcing nature itself to obey His command.

Verse 17

This verse describes the accompanying storm phenomena—rain, thunder, and lightning—often interpreted as the 'warfare' of God against the forces opposing His people, demonstrating His irresistible power.

Verse 19

The imagery of God’s path in the sea refers directly to the Red Sea crossing, but the statement 'thy footsteps are not known' suggests that while God acts powerfully in history, His ultimate plans and methods remain mysterious and beyond full human comprehension.

Verse 20

The psalm concludes by affirming that the mighty, mysterious God is also a tender Shepherd. He led His people gently but firmly, utilizing human leaders (Moses and Aaron) to guide them toward safety.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options