Psalm 77 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Psalm 77)

Verse 2

[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.

Night — Which to others was a time of rest and quietness.

Verse 3

[3] I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. /*Selah*/.

Troubled — Yea, the thoughts of God were now a matter of trouble, because he was angry with me.

Overwhelmed — So far was I from finding relief.

Verse 4

[4] Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

Waking — By continual grief.

Verse 5

[5] I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

The days — The mighty works of God in former times.

Verse 6

[6] I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

My song — The mercies of God vouchsafed to me, and to his people, which have obliged me to sing his praises, not only in the day, but also by night.

Verse 7

[7] Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

Cut off — His peculiar people.

Verse 10

[10] And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

I said — These suspicions of God's faithfulness proceed from the weakness of my faith.

The years — The years wherein God hath done great and glorious works, which are often ascribed to God's right-hand.

Verse 13

[13] Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

In holiness — God is holy and just, and true in all his works.

Verse 16

[16] The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

Afraid — And stood still, as men astonished, do.

Verse 17

[17] The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

Poured — When the Israelites passed over the sea.

Arrows — Hail-stones or lightnings.

Verse 19

[19] Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

Not known — Because the water returned and covered them.

Verse 20

[20] Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Leddest — First through the sea, and afterwards through the wilderness, with singular care and tenderness, as a shepherd doth his sheep.