Psalm 77

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:3

I remembered God - That is, I thought on God; I thought on his character, his government, and his dealings; I thought on the mysteries - the incomprehensible things - the apparently unequal, unjust, and partial doings - of his administration. It is evident from the whole tenor of the psalm that these were the things which occupied his attention. He dwelt on them until his whole soul became sad; until his spirit became so overwhelmed that he could not find words in which to utter his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:4

Thou holdest mine eyes waking - literally, “Thou holdest the watchings of my eyes.” Gesenius (Lexicon) translates the Hebrew word rendered “waking,” “eyelids.” Probably that is the true idea. The eyelids are the watchers or guardians of the eyes. In danger, and in sleep, they close. Here the idea is, that God held them so that they did not close. He overcame the natural tendency of the eye to shut. In other words, the psalmist was kept awake; he could not sleep. This he traces to God. The idea... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:5

I have considered the days of old - Rather, “I do consider;” that is, “I think upon.” This refers to his resolution in his perplexity and trouble; the method to which he resorted in examining the subject, and in endeavoring to allay his troubles. He resolved to look at the past. He asked what was the evidence which was furnished on the subject by the former dealings of God with himself and with mankind; what could be learned from those dealings in regard to the great and difficult questions... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:6

I call to remembrance my song in the night - Compare Job 35:10, note; Psalms 42:8, note. The word here rendered “song” - נגינה negı̂ynâh - means properly the music of stringed instruments, Lamentations 5:14; Isaiah 38:20; then, a stringed instrument. It is the word which we have so often in the titles to the psalms (Psalms 4:1-8; Psalms 6:1-10; Psalms 54:1-7; Psalms 55:0; Psalms 67:1-7; Psalms 76:1-12); and it is used here in the sense of song or psalm. The idea is, that there had been times... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:7

Will the Lord cast off for ever? - This was the subject, and the substance, of his inquiry: whether it was a fair and just conclusion that God would show no mercy; would never be gracious again. Evidently the thought passed through his mind that this seemed to be the character of God; that things looked as if this were so; that it was difficult, if not impossible, to understand the divine dealings otherwise; and he asks whether this was a fair conclusion; whether he must be constrained to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:8

Is his mercy clean gone for ever? - The word rendered “clean gone” means to fail; to fail utterly. The idea is, Can it be that the compassion of God has become exhausted - that no more mercy is to be shown to mankind - that henceforth all is to be left to stern and severe justice? What would the world be if this were so! What must be the condition of mankind if mercy were no more to be shown to the race!Doth his promise fail for evermore? - Margin, as in Hebrew, “to generation and generation.”... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:9

Hath God forgotten to be gracious? - Has he passed over mercy in administering his government? Has he ceased to remember that man needs mercy? Has he forgotten that this is an attribute of his own nature?Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? - The original word here rendered “tender mercies” refers to the “bowels,” as the seat of compassion or mercy, in accordance with a usage common in Hebrew. See Psalms 25:6, note; Isaiah 16:11, note; Isaiah 63:15, note. Compare Luke 1:78 (in Greek);... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:10

And I said, This is my infirmity - The meaning of this phrase is not, as would appear from our translation, that his reflections on the subject were to be traced to his weakness, or were a proof of weakness of mind, but that the subject overpowered him. This verse has been very variously rendered. The Septuagint and the Vulgate translate it, “And I said, now I begin; this is a change of the right hand of the Most High,” with what meaning it is difficult to see. Luther renders it, “But yet I... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:11

I will remember the works of the Lord - That is, I will call them to remembrance, or I will reflect on them. I will look to what God has “done,” that I may learn his true character, or that I may see what is the proper interpretation to be put on his doings in respect to the question whether he is righteous or not; whether it is proper to put confidence in him or not. Or, in other words, I will examine those doings to see if I cannot find in them something to calm down my feelings; to remove my... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:12

I will meditate also of all thy work - That is, with a view to learn thy real character; to see whether I am to be constrained by painful facts to cherish the thoughts which have given me such trouble, or whether I may not find reasons for cherishing more cheerful views of God.And talk of thy doings - Or rather, “I will muse on thy doings” - for so the Hebrew word signifies. It is not conversation with others to which he refers; it is meditation - musing - calm contemplation - thoughtful... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 77:12

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