Verses 1-20

The Ps. records the writer's experience of personal perplexity and darkness, which, however, has been caused by the contemplation of Israel's national distress. It may be dated appropriately in the time of the exile. Psalms 77:1-3 describe the Psalmist's trouble, in which even prayer has brought no comfort. Psalms 77:4-9 speak of his meditations on the brighter past, which lead to the question whether God has finally rejected His people. In Psalms 77:10-20 he turns for comfort to the story of God's wonderful works of old, and dwells especially upon His deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Psalms 77:15), His sublime manifestation of power at the Red Sea (Psalms 77:16-19), and His guidance of His people through the wilderness (Psalms 77:20). At this point the Ps. comes to an abrupt close.

Title.—Jeduthun] see on Psalms 39.

1. Cried.. gave] RV 'will cry.. will give.'

2. My sore ran] RV 'my hand was stretched out,' in the attitude of prayer.

3. Selah] see on Psalms 3:4.

4. Mine eyes waking] rather, 'the guards of my eyes.' The eyelids are kept from closing.

6. My song in the night] a former time of happiness and praise: see Psalms 42:8; Job 35:10.

10. This is my infirmity] The Psalmist here recognises that his doubts are due to his own weakness and not to any change in God.

10b. RM reads, 'That the right hand of the Most High doth change,' which may be taken as an exclamation, mentioning the idea only to dismiss it as impossible.

11. Remember] RV 'make mention of.'

12. Talk of] RV 'muse on.'

13. In the sanctuary] RV 'in holiness.'

14. People] RV 'peoples.'

15. The sons of Jacob and Joseph] Jacob represents the kingdom of Judah, and Joseph (father of Ephraim and Manasseh) the northern kingdom of Israel. The division of the nation is clearly hinted at: see on Psalms 80:1, Psalms 80:2.

16. The waters] the Red Sea: Exodus 14:21-31.

17. Sound] thunder. Arrows] lightning.

18. Heaven] RV 'whirlwind.'

19. Is., are] RV 'was.. were.' Footsteps.. not known] when the waters had returned to their place.