The Book of Psalms
Psalm 77
Psalm LXXVII · Vol. II, p. 1037
1 The psalmist showeth what fierce combat he had with diffidence. 10 The victory which he had by considering God's great and gracious works.
To the chief musician, to aJeduthun, A psalm of1 Asaph.
1 I criedb unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.2
A.M. cir. 2983. B.C. cir. 1021.
a 1 Ch.16.41,42; 25.3,6. Ps.xxxix. lxii. titles.
1 Or, for, 1 Ch.16.7; 25.1. Ps.i. title.
b Ps.50.15; 55.16; 141.1; 142.1,2; 34.6; 6.8,9.
2 This psalm is manifestly the record of an inward struggle in the mind of the writer between good and evil, faith and despair. At first anguish fills his soul, hope seems to desert him, and overwhelmed with affliction he yields himself up to despair. Then, however, memory of past mercies returns; thoughts of divine love and power spring up, and at length hope dawns, and he rejoices in the salvation of the Lord.—P.
2 Inc the day of my trouble I sought the LORD: my 3sore4 rand in the night, and ceased not: emy soul refused to be comforted.
6 I call to remembrance my ksong in the night: lI commune with mine own heart; and my spirit made diligent search.
7 Willn the LORD cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
n Ps.13.1-3; 6.3; 74.1; 85.5. La.3.31,32.
10 And I said, qThis is my infirmity: but I will remember the ryears of the right hand of the most High.7
11 Is will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
s Ps.111.2,4; 107.43, with Is.5.12. Ps.28.5.
15 Thouz hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
z Ex.6.6. Is.51.9; 63.9,12. Ps.136.11,12.
16 Thea waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
a Ex.14.21; 15.18. Ps.114.3; 18.15. Hab.3.8-10.
18 Thec voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
c 2 Sa.22.14. Job 37.1-5. Ps.29.3-9; 50.3; 97.4; 114.4. Hab.3.5,6. Jos.2.9,10.
20 Thoue leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.2
e Ex.14.19. Hos.12.13. Ps.78.52. Is.63.11-14. Je.32.20,21. Ac.7.36. Ne.9.12-14.
2 The sustaining and comforting influence of a study of God's goodness, as displayed in the history of his church in all ages, is here incidentally shown. It is sufficient to cheer the soul under all circumstances. It is calculated to preserve the church from faithless despondency, no matter how great the calamities that beset her. Let churches and individuals alike learn the lesson.—P.
Notes
Ver. 1. There is one, and one only, 'whom the Father heareth always,' Jn. 11. 42, and in whose name alone are the prayers of sinners heard—that one is Christ. C.
Ver. 15. The sons of Joseph who was sold into slavery—the sons of Jacob who were brought into it in search of food, and hope of protection and prosperity. The first, the emblem of the natural man, 'sold under sin;' the second, the emblem of the spiritual man, for a time seduced, like Peter, to forget and deny his Lord. C.
Ver. 18. There is here a description of a storm of rain, hail, thunder, and lightning, with most probably an earthquake, not recorded in any of the books of Moses. The occasional supply of such omissions, when thus furnished by the Spirit, is serviceable as reminding us that the Scriptures were written, not to be histories of men, but of God and his government—a consideration that will often solve the most remarkable Scripture difficulties. C.
Reflections.—What days of trouble saints have to endure from temptations, corruptions, afflictions, and desertions! But in distress we must flee to the compassionate bosom of our God, and pour out our complaints before him. And if we would speed we must be both importunate and unwearied in our application. If we but speak in groans God can understand us and will answer. But often, under strong temptations, saints feed their sorrows and reject the consolations which God suggests to them in his Word: often they indulge the melancholy apprehension that he hath forsaken them and left them to eternal perdition. Terrible then is their case: and dishonourable to God is this their distrust. But hopeful is the appearance when they are brought to condemn their own unbelief, and to cast themselves on his almighty power and mercy; and when they continue meditating on and declaring his former almighty works of providence or grace. This awakens themselves and others to honourable thoughts of his conduct and to grateful praise. However deep and mysterious the dispensations of his providence, they are all holy and just. And however awful, they are infinitely gracious, and issue in the deliverance of believers from their manifold bondage, and in their guidance, by Jesus their great Leader and Priest, to the Canaan above.