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.
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A Cry of Deep Distress

1
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. ​
2
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. ​
3
I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. ​
4
Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

Questioning God's Faithfulness

5
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. ​
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?
9
Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. ​

Resolving to Remember God's Works

10
And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. ​
11
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. ​
12
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? ​
14
Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15
Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. ​

Remembering the Wonders of the Exodus

16
The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. ​
17
The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. ​
18
The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
19
Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. ​
20
Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. ​

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.

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