Psalms 77

Psalms 77:1

THE title: Of Asaph] here Asaph is the composer. see upon Psal. 5. upon the title: [to Ieduthan. Or to them of the issue, or of the company of this chiefe of the Musitians, see Psal. 62. in the title. And hee gave] the Italian, because hee should give, or hee shall give &c.

Psalms 77:2

My sore] the Italian, my hands, the gesture of a discomforted and afflicted person, or my hands have melted, and run, that is to say, my strength is utterly decayed.

Psalms 77:3

Was troubled] in servency, and great agi〈…〉n of spirit, Psal. 55. 2. 17.

Psalms 77:4

Troubled] the Italian, astonished, the Hebrew word properly signifieth an astonishment caused by some great blow received.

Psalms 77:5

I have considered] either to aggravate my present griefe, by comparing these dayes with those happy times which where heretosore, or to strengthen mee so much the more, by the examples of Gods goodnesse, who having once declared himselfe a loving Father to his elect, never changeth nor altereth his minde, though hee doe vary the effects of it, and so comfort my selfe with hope, that the times will bee againe as they were heretofore.

Psalms 77:6

My song] when I yeelded solemne thanks to the Lord, and sung praises unto him for his loving kindnesses: [made diligent search] it discourseth and en quireth within it selfe, how this alteration should come, and what should be the reason of it, whether any good issue may bee hoped for, and what meanes may be used to bring it to passe.

Psalms 77:8

Is his mercy] is the effect of his promises quite ceased.

Psalms 77:10

The right band, &c.] the Italian, the right hand of the most high is changed, God doth not any longer shew forth his power in my behalfe, as hee did heretofore. A representation of the soules combate, amidst the distrusts of the flesh.

Psalms 77:13

Thy way] that is to say, every one of the elect may and ought to learne in thy Church the conduct, and proceeding of thy providence, towards those that are thine: by the generall example of the whole body of the Church, oftentimes afflicted, even to the extremity; as it was in Egypt, and then miraculousty delivered, see Psal. 73. 17. whereupon he hath matter to strengthen himselfe in all his trialls, still hoping for a happy issue.

Psalms 77:15

Redeemed] namely out of Egypt: [Ioseph] Iosephs issue is many times spoken of severally from the other tribes, by reason of their great number and power.

Psalms 77:16

The waters] namely of the red sea.

Psalms 77:17

The cloudes] these particulars are not specified by Moses, but they may be supposed, by what is written, Exodus 1:1-22. 24.

Psalms 77:19

Thy way] thou wentest in the cloudy and fiery pillar through the sea, before all thy people, [thy foot steps] after thy people were gone through; the waters returned into their naturall course, Exod. 14. 26. 27. whence it appeares that this miracle was no naturall effect, nor casuall accident, and that it is appointed so to be by thee only, for the deliverance of thy people.