Ps. 77:0 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed upon the occasion of some sore and long calamity of God’s people; either the Babylonish captivity, or some other.

This verse seems to contain the sum of the whole Psalm, consisting of two parts, to wit, his earnest cry to God in his deep distress; and God’s gracious return to his prayers, by supporting him under them, and giving him assurance of a good issue out of them; of both which he speaks more distinctly…

My sore ran: the hand in the Hebrew tongue, and Scripture use, is oft put for a blow or stroke given by the hand. Heb. My hand, or hands, (the singular number being frequently put for the plural,) flowed or poured forth, i.e. spread abroad to God in prayer.

Yea, the thoughts of God, and of his infinite power, and truth, and goodness, which used to be very sweet and comfortable to me, were now matter of terror and trouble, because they were all engaged against me, and God himself, my only friend, was now very angry with me, and become mine enemy.

Thou holdest mine eyes waking, by those sharp and continual griefs, and those perplexing and tormenting thoughts and cares, which from time to time thou stirrest up in me.

I have considered, if by that means I could get any comfort, the days of old, i.e. the mighty works of God done for his people in former times. Days are put for events done in them, as Ps. 37:13, Ps. 137:7, Obad. 12, Mic. 7:4.

I call to remembrance my song in the night, the many and great mercies and favours of God vouchsafed by him to me, and to his people, which have obliged me to adore him, and sing his praises not only in the day, the time appointed for that work. but also by night, as oft as they come into my mind.

Will the Lord cast off his peculiar and chosen people? This doth not seem to agree either with God’s nature, or with that everlasting covenant which he hath made with them.

Are all the stores of his mercy quite spent? Doth he now cease to be what he hath styled himself, the Lord gracious and merciful, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness? Will he never more make good those gracious promises upon which he hath commanded us to hope?

Hath God forgotten to be gracious, because he hath so long disused it? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies, so as they can never flow forth, no, not to his own people?

I said; I thus answered these objections. This is my infirmity; these suspicions of God’s faithfulness and goodness proceed from the weakness of my faith, and from the mistake of a diseased mind.

And yet upon second and serious thoughts of what God had formerly done for his people, many times far above their expectations, I will take comfort in remembrance of them, because God is still the same that he was in power, and goodness, and love to his people, and therefore will pity and help us…

Thy way, i.e. thy doings, or the course of thy providence, which is oft called God’s way; the various methods and causes of thy dealings with thy people. In the sanctuary; is there contained and declared.

By the mighty effects of it here following.

Redeemed thy people, to wit, out of Egypt, after a long and hard bondage; which he here mentions to strengthen his faith in their present captivity. Jacob and Joseph; whom he mentions, partly, as a most eminent portion of the sons of Jacob, branched forth into two numerous tribes; partly, because…

The waters saw thee; they felt the visible effects of thy powerful presence. They were afraid; and stood still, as men or beasts astonished commonly do.

The clouds poured out water, when the Israelites passed over the sea; in respect whereof the Israelites are said to have been baptized in the cloud (i.e. sprinkled with water poured forth from the clouds) and in the sea, 1 Cor. 10:2.

This tempest is not particularly recorded in its proper place, yet it may well be gathered from what is said Ex. 14:24–25, and is in effect acknowledged by Josephus in his history.

Is in the sea; or rather was at that time; thou didst walk and lead thy people in untrodden paths. Are not known, because the waters suddenly returned and covered them.

Thou leddest thy people; first through the sea, and afterwards through the vast howling wilderness to Canaan. Like a flock; with singular care and tenderness, as a shepherd doth his sheep.