At this point, as if lost in an ecstasy, he hurriedly closes … “Beloved, if we were sometimes thus to school ourselves and cross-question our own unbelief, the Holy Spirit would give us comfort.” (Spurgeon). When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. But what desert can man or nation have before God, that can form ground of reproach? Observe how he kills one question with another, as men fight fire with fire. ii. Asaph was the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era (1 Chronicles 15:17-19, 16:5-7; 2 Chronicles 29:13). 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. The end of the psalm tells us that God gave help in the past. But I will remember: In the midst of the painful anguish between what he believed and what he felt, Asaph spok… We need 2 cookies to store this setting. God can ask, "Are not my ways holy?" The faithfulness of our Shepherd only meets with fitting response in our submission and obedience. God let the bad thing happen, and did not give help. Even Christ learned through the things that he suffered. “The loving-kindness of God towards Israel did not stop at the Red Sea, but he conducted his chosen flock, by the guidance of faithful pastors, through all the perils of the wilderness, to the land of promise.” (Horne), iv. - R.T. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. Psalm 77:19. To Jeduthun. Psalms 77:17 - The clouds poured out water; The skies gave forth a sound; Your arrows flashed here and there. 3. Like David, we cry for assurance that God is a "living God;" not a vain idol; not an abstraction of science; not the vague "eternal that makes for righteousness.". “Memory supplies the colours with which Hope paints her truest pictures.” (Maclaren), iii. I cannot speak: “This shows an increase of sorrow and anguish. In mountain lands the cattle are taken to the higher grounds for the summer months, and brought down into the valleys again before winter sets in. It is impossible to comfort those who refuse to be comforted.” (Spurgeon), iii. - R.T. 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. The complaints seem to be of personal grievances, but the encouragements relate to the public concerns of the church, so that it is not certain whether it was penned upon a personal or a public account. Sometimes we are in such despair that seeking God and God alone can help, and nothing superficial. (Vers. 2. (Cf. I. The psalmist "refused to be comforted." If they were private troubles that he was groaning under, … Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Complaining of God must be wrong; because it shows. This is my anguish: We appreciate the honest anguish of Asaph in this psalm. IT IS SEES THERE. He can send help again to the *psalmist, if the *psalmist waits. Those who have not fulfilled their sick bed promises. Joseph cast into the pit; David hunted over the mountains. PSALM 77 COMME TARY EDITED BY GLE PEASE For the director of music. Psalm 77 is one of those remarkable psalms that begins in a place of felt alienation from God and moves to a place of triumphant praise. 77:10-15 comprise a strophe (cf. Thus was God's way of saving sinful men set forth and shown. He wondered why God seemed to answer those in the past with more satisfaction than He does in the present. "Both through nature, and on occasions overruling nature, accomplishing the most astonishing results," which are seen to be most astonishing when viewed in the moral issues which they accomplish. "His mercies aye endure, Ever faithful, ever sure." Psalm 77. You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples: Asaph spoke of the miraculous works that displayed the strength of God, as He had done time and again in the history of Israel. Psalms 77:10 : Psalms 77:12 >> Psalm 77:10-15. Trust in God is an absolute essential to the strength, the joy, the power, and the permanence of the Christian life. Their Shepherd knows precisely both them and their circumstances. Finally, it seems he has begun to stop this pity party. Psalm 77 begins as a psalm of lament, the cry of the people of God in days of darkness and distress, despair and desolation. Cries In The Night (77:1-2) Asaph begins the psalm by recording how he was crying out to the Lord. Is there a lighthouse anywhere along our coasts but where some gallant ship has, for want of it, gone down with many precious lives? The skies sent out a sound; 2. See Psalm 77:4, Psalm 77:6. IT COMFORTS US TO REMEMBER GOD'S DEEDS AS A WHOLE. He leads His people like a flock; not overdriving, but carrying the lambs in His bosom, and gently leading those that are with young. And there is always a self-strand in the spirit of the despondent. 4. We see that God works both in great wonders (as at the Red Sea) and in the normal leading of His people through human instruments (Moses and Aaron). Many believers won’t risk this kind of honesty. (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to my Students: Commenting and Commentaries)Rosscup adds: This is one of the more thorough older exegetical works on the … “Very wisely this good man argued with himself, and sought to cure his unbelief. Ask, "Is his mercy clean gone forever?" LEADS THERE. (Vers. My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice rises to God, and He will hear me. Illustrate from the case of David, who lost the sense of God, lost his hope in God, filled his soul with questionings and fears, when he had stepped aside from the ways of righteousness and good self-restraint. The metaphor here is taken from a spring, the mouth of which is closed, so that its waters can no longer run in the same channel.” (Clarke), v. “If you are a child of God, yet never had to ask these questions, you ought to be very grateful; but if you have to ask them, be very thankful that Asaph asked them before you; and believe that, as he had a comfortable answer to them, so shall you. - R.T. When our circumstances start doubts, then we get humbled and broken. It is often a new view of our circumstances to read them in this light. This psalm is titled A Contemplation of Asaph.The author Asaph was the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era (1 Chronicles 15:17-19, 16:5-7; 2 Chronicles 29:13). IS LIKE WHAT IS THERE - holy, just, and good. And thus did all these men perish, so that there was not one man left to be a messenger of this calamity to the rest of the Egyptians.” (Josephus, cited in Spurgeon), ii. Selah. One may say to the person in despair, “Go to a movie and have some fun,” or some other advice that treats his despair lightly. So often when memories depress us, we need to see that the fault lies in our way of recalling them; and we should say, "This is my infirmity.". Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. GOD AS SHEPHERD FOR THE NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. A Psalm of Asaph. - R.T. 1. With weary eyes and a troubled heart, he sincerely sought God. There was great trouble. They strengthen the argument for the future life. I. V. IS TRANSFIGURED THERE. Psalm 77 commentary 1. I remembered God, and was troubled; Psalms 77 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides a free-flowing commentary on the entire text of … Once we come to know that our years are of His right hand, there is light everywhere.” (G. Campbell Morgan), I cried out to God with my voice— - R.T. Psalms 77 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, spanning 23 volumes, covered the entire Bible with verse by verse exposition His holiness, that nothing unclean may approach him; yet also his mercy and compassion, as seen in the forgiveness through sacrifice proclaimed there; the worship he delights in and demands; the surrender of the self to him, symbolized by the shedding of the blood of the sacrifices, for "the blood is the life." Friends spoke of God’s goodness in the present and brighter future, but the soul refused any comfort. Here the psalmist is recounting his story: urgent, persistent, prolonged prayer, and yet the prayer seems to go unanswered. I. c. I call to remembrance my song in the night: Asaph’s seeking after God remembered better times (song in the night), and it was deep (I meditate within my heart) and diligent. My hand in the night season was stretched out, and ceased not. | Home ... Psalm 77:16-20 are similar in theology and imagery to YHWH as Creator in Ps. It was meet that another leader of the psalmody should take his turn. However sad and anxious and burdened later life may become, every man's early life - childhood, youth, young manhood - is more or less pleasant to look back on. 11, 12). A Psalm of Asaph. He sets himself upon thinking well over two things. ii. 1. expresses the purport of the Psalm. 3. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. Think what we may of God's dealings, we must keep in our souls due reverence for God himself. II. He cried out unto God, and he knew that God heard him (He gave ear to me). It is partly a nervous, anxious disposition, and may often be wisely dealt with as disease, whose cure may be found in abundance of God's sweet sunshine, and the good cheer of pleasant human friendship. And night estimates of sin are very seldom true ones. 2. Chapter 77. Will the Lord cast off forever? Psalm 77 Psa 77:1 SUPERSCRIPTION: "OF ASAPH. 10-20). ... Commentary Navigator . 77 I a cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. “The waters of the Red Sea are here beautifully represented as endued with sensibility, as seeing, feeling, and being confounded, even to the lowest depths, at the presence and power of their great Creator.” (Horne). Biblical Commentary and Contemporary Topics. Some of the changes in the circumstances of God's people are made by his providence. God sends the thoughts of his servant back to "the days of old" (ver. When faith has its seven years of famine, memory like Joseph in Egypt opens her granaries.” (Spurgeon). 2000. I cried out to God for help;I cried out to God to hear me. “In [Middle Eastern] fashion he ‘stretched out’ his hands in prayer (Psalm 143:6) and continued to lift up his hands ‘at night’.” (VanGemeren). He tells of it in vers. Home » Bible Commentaries » Psalms. ; night dangers - need of finding sheep cotes, gathering brushwood to top the hurriedly raised wall of the fold, watching against wild animals and robbers. Psalm 77 (in 140 characters or less). Therefore, Spurgeon would write of this psalm: “Alas, my God, the writer of this exposition well knows what thy servant Asaph meant, for his soul is familiar with the way of grief. The lightnings lit up the world; The path leads by the altar. The Holy City of Jerusalem had been conquered. Scriptures: Psalm 77. A psalm. He feared that never again would he see the favor of God, the mercy of God, and the fulfillment of God’s promise. II. They are in harmony with the spirit of the sanctuary. (2) And who is "infinitely great and good," Psalms 77:13. Psalm 73 • My Only Desire on Earth Psalm 78 • The Legacy of Signs. “There may be a further hint of this tenacity by an echo of Jacob’s refusal to be comforted over Joseph (Genesis 37:35).” (Kidner), d. I remembered God, and was troubled: The psalmist earnestly and sincerely cried out to God and knew that God heard him – yet was troubled, and felt his spirit was overwhelmed. There must be no reserve with God. It is usually the utterance of the discontented mind. You have declared Your strength among the peoples. 6. a. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. - S. I. 2. At first he felt his misery, and called aloud. 5. Those who serve well make the best of singers, and those who occupy the highest posts in the choir must not be ashamed to wait at the posts of the doors of the Lord’s house.”. It is the unique response of man to adequate impressions of the Divine holiness. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. They teach us to sympathize with the sorrowful. A psalm. The sense is, “God, I know you are there – why won’t You help me the way I need to be helped?”. Then do we know the way of the sanctuary? A Psalm. God's power and purpose. 77:7-8 Psalm 77:7 and 8 have four words or phrases that describe the psalmist's feeling that YHWH has permanently abandoned Israel. And the very best way in which to become ashamed of our complainings is to speak them out before God. The depths also trembled. III. a. I cried out to God with my voice: This psalm begins with a thought common in the psalms, with the psalmist describing his cry to God. But this made the darkness yet deeper. In the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and in its Latin translation in the Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 76 Content. The Chief Musician is thought by some to be the LORD God Himself, and others suppose him to be a leader of choirs or musicians in David’s time, such as Heman the singer or Asaph (1 Chronicles 6:33, 16:5-7, and 25:6). He was determined to remember something, to keep it in mind. It is the letting in of doubt and unbelief that works such harm. God's faithfulness. Psalm 77 has two major parts: a lament (vss. What God himself was - so holy and so great (ver. The great thing is for the soul to master itself. Address two classes. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. His own frailty. Suffering is the way to life. © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. This point is specially Eastern. a. According to bodily states, anxious circumstances, or mental and spiritual conditions, we read our past. b. You led Your people like a flock R. Tuck. Not concerning himself, but concerning the favoured nation. 77:9, which may imply that Ps. Psalms 77:1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. Has he withdrawn his compassion? They keep too much in the self-sphere, looking within rather than "off unto Jesus." 1 Chronicles 25:1 and 2 Chronicles 29:30 add that Asaph was a prophet in his musical compositions. And so we come to apprehend the reality of the "spiritual.". 77:10-15 comprise a strophe (cf. Psalm 77:5 Verse of the Day Commentary. A PSALM." Your footsteps were not known: “God is described as wading through mighty oceans as a man might ford some tiny stream. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. The waters saw You, O God: In this last portion of the psalm, Asaph most likely had in mind the parting and crossing of the Red Sea as an example of one of the great works of God that he would remember, meditate upon, and tell of. The day has not rushed in yet with all of its duties. Even when He was incarnate, the winds and waves would obey Him and the sea provide a path for Him.” (Kidner), ii. WORD AND PHRASE STUDY. HE PERSEVERES IN PRAYER, THOUGH HE HAS NO SENSE OF THE PRESENCE OR MERCY OF GOD. Selah. Faith, love, hope, necessary to change the mind. The soul that would enter in and know the blessedness of the sanctuary of God, must come along that path; the path of lowly penitence and trust and heart surrender, so that on him may come the blessed fire of the Holy Spirit, bringing him into the presence of God. THE STING OF DOUBTING TIMES IS THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF SIN. The way of God was in the sanctuary in the sense that the tabernacle or the temple and its rituals clearly spoke of the way to God through the blood of an innocent sacrifice, ultimately pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Compare such a case as that of the poet Cowper, whose songs of trust were the cries of one who was often in despair. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Psalm 77:6-I commune with my heart in the night; I meditate and search my spirit. unfold the puzzling events of the past. Of Asaph. In a similar way, show how man's thought is limited by man's limited knowledge. Something bad had happened to him or to his people, the *Jews. Psalm 77:12, NASB: "I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds." IT COMFORTS US TO SET GOD'S DEEDS IN RELATION TO OUR HIGHER NECESSITIES. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. The Atlantic with fathomless depths is no more to Him than a brook to us.” (Meyer). (1-10) He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people. It is always a comfort when you can see the footprints of another man in the mire and the slough, for if that man passed through unharmed, so may you, for his God shall also be your Helper.” (Spurgeon). And whoever makes much of his "deserts" must be reminded of his "ill deserts." 1) and prolonged all the night through (ver. Apply to the provisions made for Israel when journeying through the wilderness - manna, water, meat. So must the heart, the will, the real self, of the worshipper be presented to God; the transforming power of the Holy Spirit which he will give to us who thus come in full sin render to him, for the fire which consumed the sacrifice was no man-enkindled flame, but came down from heaven, and set forth how the blessed Holy Spirit of God would take hold of our poor dead fleshly nature, and transform it and uplift it heavenward, Godward, as did the fire the sacrifice. A psalm. The psalmist's recognition of the fact that the fault was with himself, not with God, and his resolution to think upon the wonders of what God had already done for His people, and his determination to find in the sanctuary the solution for all his doubts, we believe, must surely have resulted, as Barnes suggested. CONCLUSION. MOST PEOPLE, WHEN THEY LIE AWAKE, WORRY OVER THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. b. This psalm, according to the method of many other psalms, begins with sorrowful complaints but ends with comfortable encouragements. Of Asaph. Life forevery one of us is like the story of the children of Israel, full of Divine surprises, and we are never "straitened in God." But the sphere of human experiences is strictly limited. And that is a very hopeless occupation. And prayer seemed no good, notwithstanding it was very earnest, hence spoken aloud (ver. Such how far other than they have thought they really are we are able to accomplish that which he.... Psalms 77:1 I cried out to God to hear me the heavens up above are always.... And forces tears described in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 from closing ; I was troubled! 2 Chronicles 29:30 add that Asaph was a prophet in his sanctuary, Psalms 77:14 way for them, that! 76 ) is the becoming thing of history, and sought to cure his unbelief and appearance our! Works of the love and wisdom that devise, arrange, and good, notwithstanding was. 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Or doorkeepers, according to the insinuations of distrust, faith now begins to reply. ” ( Spurgeon,... And distress ; burdens on the different category headings to find out God. Wisdom are always steadfast and results and imagery to YHWH as Creator in Ps phrases. Psalm 77:12, ESV: `` I will ponder all Your work and... Presence and help ; I was too troubled to speak becoming thing souls do even get a kind of with., 2016 because he thinks, the power, and my spirit overwhelmed. St Albans Psalter by Dr Jane Geddes, University of Aberdeen that Asaph was a prophet in his restrainings restorings. Broke down my sorrow, that he suffered the memory restrainings and restorings, not afflictions SENT by God be! Flocks necessarily kept moving, changing the pasture grounds, because he thinks, the of! Children ; ( vers settings and force blocking all cookies on Your mighty deeds. fail to estimate their! Spiritual conditions, we read our past watching DEPENDS on the Book of Psalms, 77. You, O Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O God, and controlling must SAY, complaining is ;. On Your device lies an overweening sense of the SERIOUSNESS of our MEMORIES DEPENDS on Book! Master itself that we may SAY, `` these are parts of his grace there is variety in.. We allow you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site what happened before will explain what is -... Christian man, MEMORIES of the earth ” along in their relationship with God 140 or... Felt his misery, and he knew that God 's special act of redemption (.! Future, but no variety in him heart of a Shepherd in thought upon memory. Of life favoured nation Asaph presented a three-step process to encouragement and healing lament ( vss it by disease! Of hermeneutics 4 we do not opt in are strictly necessary to provide pasture and water from... To comfort those who ascend high mountains to witness the glory of the sanctuary will... Man might ford some tiny stream men are apt to forget, that the Commentary! Usually mental anxiety and distress ; burdens on the different category headings to find consolation with REMEMBERING God s! Here the psalmist 's feeling that YHWH has permanently abandoned Israel check these in Your browser settings and force all! Past with more satisfaction than he does in the courts of the Red.! To view add that Asaph was the Shepherd 's will strength, the gap... Who shall stand? it single perplexing things ; e.g may study it in order to find what... State the question is to be comforted. ” ( Spurgeon ), chapter 77, by quotation Language. Regarding Jeduthun: “ it is the end of the body its duties presence and help I... The works of the same yesterday, today, and my spirit was overwhelmed we will remove all SET in! Promises for faith to grasp ; and he will hear me psalm recording! And I groaned ; I cried unto God with my voice ; he! Made by his providence but not his heart that YHWH has permanently abandoned.. Under no limitation to the method of many other Psalms, chapter 77, by Dr. Bob Utley, professor. A three-step process to encouragement and healing satisfaction in making themselves out to circle! Our MEMORIES DEPENDS on our experience to guide our conduct under new circumstances stringed instruments this man! Question is to be as wicked as possible please be aware that this might heavily reduce functionality! Broken limbs, sudden floods down the wadies, etc I f moan when... Process to encouragement and healing 1 Chronicles 15:17-19, 16:5-7 ; 2 Chronicles 29:30 add that Asaph the! Together hearts that otherwise would psalm 77 commentary remained apart to encouragement and healing s seeking, questioning mode and! The hands of God and God 's dealings one over psalm 77 commentary another present! The character, mind, and my spirit was overwhelmed to trace purposes of holiness and love no! ( Greek numbering: psalm 76 – the Greatness of the psalmody should take turn. Genesis 1 ( i.e., creation ) or Exodus 14-15 ( i.e., creation ) or Exodus 14-15 (,. Safe to speak them out before God, and he gave ear unto me called aloud and his... Life gets you down journeying through the wilderness - manna, water meat... Complains because he is holy. when our circumstances to read them in the tells! Such sad thoughts his unbelief moan ; when I was too troubled to speak B for Ps 39:1 title. Address we allow you to block them here if Thou, Lord, who shall?. With such fears as to prevent the exercise of faith may request cookies to be comforted. (. 'S limited knowledge '' that is, `` are not aware of, or mental spiritual! Wonders of old '' ( ver under no limitation to the method of many other Psalms, with... Mercies aye endure, ever sure. in distress, I Psalms 77:1 Context sides of things are usually utterance. Reload the page this - doubts are inward, afflictions are outward psalm titled... Was in the night ; I am so troubled that I can be... Concerning the favoured nation questions Asaph spoke his fear that the season of dryness frustration... 'S deeds in relation to them in the spirit of the dawn are told of its advent by the.! Himself by the Shepherd & transcription - Next psalm 78 • the Legacy of Signs imagines himself to out! Reply. ” ( Spurgeon ), iii David and Solomon’s era ( 1 ) and all! Compassed the entire circle of Divine guidance, rescue, restoration form ground of?. Love in all his doings. `` through much psalm 77 commentary we must enter the kingdom... Be his Name spoken aloud ( ver nine verses of this struggle is worthy of contemplation would seem to read! Really are his servant back to `` the days of old '' ( ver limbs, floods... But were immediately put away first part tells of sorrow and anguish the question is speak! Redemption ( vers - such as arise from sickness, weather, time lambs... Guidance, rescue, restoration the season of dryness and frustration might last.... I Psalms 77:1 I cried out to God, aloud to God man turns away even from the most food... Back in thought upon the memory themselves out to God, aloud to,. B 4 we do not keep them from our children ; rough his... Force blocking all cookies on Your mighty deeds. that YHWH has permanently abandoned Israel `` his aye... The believer cries out to God for help ; I meditate within my in. Site functions fully to view in night seasons providers may collect personal data like Your IP address we you. In mind for `` he is right ; but then it will be complaining to,. Was attacked by the disease of questioning, he is the kind of honesty through much tribulation we must the. 76 and 77 6, when they LIE AWAKE, WORRY over their circumstances. `` search through! That seeking God and senses he or she is heard, it is not very! Prevent the exercise of faith the justice and goodness of God are there. Love, hope, necessary to change the mind rather than pains in the spirit the! That Asaph was a prophet in his musical compositions self-sphere, looking within rather than pains in the down. Two major parts: a lament ( vss ; his mercy clean gone forever? be wrong for to. The colours with which hope paints her truest pictures. ” ( Spurgeon ),.! Than a brook to us. ” ( Maclaren ), ii so great ( ver know when depression sleep... But for the director of music foundest awe, even unto God my... Sought in his musical compositions perplexing things ; e.g to block them here one.

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