---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 77"
description: "PSALM 77   :-. To Jeduthun—(See on  :-, title). In a time of great affliction, when ready to
despair, the Psalmist derives relief from calling to mind God"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/77"
---

PSALM 77

. *To Jeduthun*—(See on , 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 [Psalms 44:20](../../../kjv/psalms/44/20)).
**ceased not**—literally,
"grew not numb," or, "feeble" ([Genesis 45:26](../../../kjv/genesis/45/26);
[Psalms 38:8](../../../kjv/psalms/38/8)).
**my soul . . .
comforted**—(compare [Genesis 37:35](../../../kjv/genesis/37/35);
[Jeremiah 31:15](../../../kjv/jeremiah/31/15)).

**3-9.** His sad state contrasted
with former joys.
**was troubled**—literally,
"violently agitated," or disquieted ([Psalms 39:6](../../../kjv/psalms/39/6);
[Psalms 41:5](../../../kjv/psalms/41/5)).
**my spirit was overwhelmed**—or,
"fainted" ([Psalms 107:5](../../../kjv/psalms/107/5);
[Jonah 2:7](../../../kjv/jonah/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.

**3-9.** His sad state contrasted
with former joys.
**was troubled**—literally,
"violently agitated," or disquieted ([Psalms 39:6](../../../kjv/psalms/39/6);
[Psalms 41:5](../../../kjv/psalms/41/5)).
**my spirit was overwhelmed**—or,
"fainted" ([Psalms 107:5](../../../kjv/psalms/107/5);
[Jonah 2:7](../../../kjv/jonah/2/7)).

**10.** Omitting the supplied words,
we may read, "This is my affliction—the years of," &c.,
"years" being taken as parallel to affliction (compare ), 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 ([Psalms 22:3](../../../kjv/psalms/22/3);
[Psalms 67:2](../../../kjv/psalms/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 [Psalms 67:2](../../../kjv/psalms/67/2)).

**14-20.** Illustrations of God's
power in His special interventions for His people (), and, in the more common, but sublime, control of nature
([Psalms 22:11-14](../../../kjv/psalms/22/11-14); [Habakkuk 3:14](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/14))
which may have attended those miraculous events ([Habakkuk 3:14](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/14)).

**15. Jacob and Joseph**—representing
all.

**14-20.** Illustrations of God's
power in His special interventions for His people (), and, in the more common, but sublime, control of nature
([Psalms 22:11-14](../../../kjv/psalms/22/11-14); [Habakkuk 3:14](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/14))
which may have attended those miraculous events ([Habakkuk 3:14](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/14)).

**19. waters . . . , footsteps**—may
refer to His actual leading the people through the sea, though also
expressing the mysteries of providence.

**14-20.** Illustrations of God's
power in His special interventions for His people (), and, in the more common, but sublime, control of nature
([Psalms 22:11-14](../../../kjv/psalms/22/11-14); [Habakkuk 3:14](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/14))
which may have attended those miraculous events ([Habakkuk 3:14](../../../kjv/habakkuk/3/14)).

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