Psalms 77

Psalms 77:1

To the chief Musician. See App-64.

to Jeduthun. See App-65.

Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65.

of Asaph = for Asaph. The sixth of the twelve Asaph Psalms. App-63.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

He gave ear. Inf. = “to give ear”. Therefore supply Ellipsis (App-6): “He [condescended] to give ear”.

Psalms 77:2

the LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim altered Jehovah to Adonai. See App-32.

My sore ran. Hebrew hand was outstretched: i.e. in prayer.

ceased not: i.e. to be outstretched.

My soul = I (emphatic).

Psalms 77:3

complained = communed [with myself].

my spirit = I (emphatic). Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

Selah. Connecting this self-introspection with its sure result misery. See App-66.

Psalms 77:4

eyes = eyelids; or, Thou keepest mine eyelids from closing.

Psalms 77:6

my song. Note that the whole of this member (verses: Psalms 77:1-6) is occupation with self.

Psalms 77:7

Will . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis, emphasizing the consequence of this introspection. It is continued through the whole of this member (verses: Psalms 77:7-9).

Psalms 77:8

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

promise = word. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the promise given by it.

Psalms 77:9

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.

Selah. Connecting all this misery with the only sure remedy occupation with God: and passing from “I” and “my” to “Thou” and “Thy”. (App-66.)

Psalms 77:10

right hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6.

the MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4.

Psalms 77:11

the works = doings.

THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4.

wonders. Hebrew work. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “wonders”: i.e. wonderful ways or works.

Psalms 77:12

work. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “works” (plural)

Psalms 77:13

the sanctuary. Only here, in God’s presence, is found peace and happiness.

Who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6), for emphasis. This is the cry resulting from occupation with God. Even the cry of His saints. See note on Exodus 15:11.

Psalms 77:14

declared = made known.

people = peoples.

Psalms 77:15

Joseph. Because his sons were not the direct sons of Jacob.

Selah. Connecting the redemption from Egypt with the accomplishment of it as recorded in “the scriptures of truth”. See App-66.

Psalms 77:16

The waters. Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for emphasis: i.e. the waters of the Nile, and the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31).

The depths. Not referring to the “abyss” of Babylonian mythology, which was a corruption of primitive truth (Genesis 1:2), but the Red Sea emphasized in the preceding clause.

Psalms 77:17

clouds = the thick or dark clouds.

arrows. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for lightnings, mentioned below.

Psalms 77:18

was in the heaven. Hebrew. galgal = rolled along.

The. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read “Thy”.

lightened = illumined.

Psalms 77:19

is = was.

the sea. Not the sea-monster, the Ti’amat of Babylonian mythology, but the Red Sea mentioned above. See note on “The depths”, Psalms 77:16.

path. Hebrew text = “paths”; but some codices, with five early printed editions, as in Authorized Version.

footsteps = footprints: i.e. when the waters return to their place.

Psalms 77:20

Moses and Aaron. Only here in this third book.