Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET
PSALM 77
To Jeduthun—(See on JFB for Psa 39:1, 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.
1. expresses the purport of the Psalm.
2. his importunacy.
my sore ran...night—literally, "my hand was spread," or, "stretched out" (compare Psa 44:20).
ceased not—literally, "grew not numb," or, "feeble" (Gen 45:26; Psa 38:8).
my soul...comforted—(compare Gen 37:35; Jer 31:15).
3-9. His sad state contrasted with former joys.
was troubled—literally, "violently agitated," or disquieted (Psa 39:6; 41:5).
my spirit was overwhelmed—or, "fainted" (Psa 107:5; Jon 2:7).
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.
10. Omitting the supplied words, we may read, "This is my affliction—the years of," etc., "years" being taken as parallel to affliction (compare Psa 90:15), as of God's ordering.
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.
13. Thy way...in the sanctuary—God's ways of grace and providence (Psa 22:3; (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 Exd 15:11).
14-20. Illustrations of God's power in His special interventions for His people (Exd 14:1-31), and, in the more common, but sublime, control of nature (Psa 22:11-14; Hab 3:14) which may have attended those miraculous events (Exd 14:24).
15. Jacob and Joseph—representing all.
19. waters..., footsteps—may refer to His actual leading the people through the sea, though also expressing the mysteries of providence.