Psalm 77
I remember my trouble, my song in the night
I remember the good years

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Text
Explanation
The cry of one who felt cast off by God
At v11, hope changes to confidence.
 1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.>> I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
 2  In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
 3  I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
  1 - Asaph " Assembler, a celebrated musician in David's time, and one of the leaders of the temple music.  1Ch 16:5; 25:1,2.  This service appears to have been hereditary in his family, Ne 7:44; 11:22.  He is also called a seer [prophet], 2Ch 29:30; and his name is prefixed to twelve Psalms, (Ps 50:1-23; 73:1-83:18) but whether they were written by him, or for him or his family to sing, is unknown." (ATS Dict.)
  2 - In ... trouble .. I sought Intense prayer. See ps05015, ge3503.
  2 - My sore Literally "my hand." The connection is seen in jb2302.
  2 - My soul Or "my self."
  2 - Refused Patience is needed when we don't understand. ge3735, je3115.
 4  Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
 5  I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
.6  I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
  4 You keep my eyes awake; I am troubled and I cannot speak. (MKJV)
  5 - Days of old See v14, de3207, is6311.
  6 - Song From neginah, thought to be from stringed instruments. Assuming David to be the author of this psalm (see on v1). He had played a harp 1sa1623 and may have recalled his own music. The message of the psalm for us is fully important whether the author is Asaph or David.
.7  Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
 8  Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
 9  Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
  7 - Will the Lord cast off? See 1ki0907.
 10  And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
 11 ¶ I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
 12  I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
.13  Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
 14  Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
 15  Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
  10 - My infirmity The Psalmist accepts that the problem is not a fault of the Lord.
  13 - Sanctuary From qodesh meaning "sacred place" as in da0813. The whole way of salvation may be seen in the services of the sanctuary. The psalmist recognizes that God has revealed his plan to us.
.16  The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
 17  The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
.18  The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
 19  Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
.20  Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

  16 - Waters Here is a description of the crisis for the Egyptians who pursued the children of Israel into the sea. ex1423.
  18 - Earth trembled ps09901.
  20 - Like a flock Moses learned to care for Jethro's sheep and thus became a caring leader. Education in its truest sense is character building of this type.
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