Psalm 77:7-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 77:1-10

We have here the lively portraiture of a good man under prevailing melancholy, fallen into and sinking in that horrible pit and that miry clay, but struggling to get out. Drooping saints, that are of a sorrowful spirit, may here as in a glass see their own faces. The conflict which the psalmist had with his griefs and fears seems to have been over when he penned this record of it; for he says (Ps. 77:1), I cried unto God, and he gave ear unto me, which, while the struggle lasted, he had not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 77:7

Will the Lord cast off for ever ?.... The Syriac version of this, and the two following verses, is not by way of interrogation, but affirmation: "the Lord hath forgotten me for ever, nor will he", &c.; and so expresses the language of unbelief; but the Arabic version, in connection with the last words, with which it begins this verse, is, "and I weighed in my spirit whether the Lord", &c.; and so makes it a subject of inquiry, and at most of questioning or doubting. The Targum,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 77:8

Is his mercy clean gone for ever ?.... Or "his grace" F17 חסדו "gratia ipsius", Cocceius, Gejerus. ; and mercy is no other than grace to objects in misery; Unbelief says it is gone, that no more will be shown, and that the treasures of it are exhausted; but Faith says it is not gone, and observes that God is the God of all grace, is rich in mercy, and abundant in goodness; that his Son is full of grace and truth, and so is the covenant; and that though there is an abundance of it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 77:9

Hath God forgotten to be gracious ,.... He has not, is it possible that he should? as the Targum; it is not; he cannot forget the purposes of his grace and mercy, nor the covenant and promises of it, nor people the objects of it; and much less can he for his grace and mercy itself, so agreeable to his nature, what he delights in, and which he has proclaimed in Christ: hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? ; as an avaricious man shuts up his hand, and will not communicate... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 77:7

Will the Lord cast off for ever? - Will there be no end to this captivity? Has he not said, "Turn, ye backsliders; for I am married unto you: I will heal your backsliding, and love you freely." Will he then be favorable no more? Thus the psalmist pleads and reasons with his Maker. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 77:8

For evermore? - ודר לדר ledor vador , "to generation and generation." From race to race. Shall no mercy be shown even to the remotest generation of the children of the offenders? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 77:9

Hath God - in anger shut up his tender mercies? - The tender mercies of God are the source whence all his kindness to the children of men flows. 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; but, being confined, break out, and take some other course. Wilt thou take thy mercy from the Israelites, and give it to some other people? This he most certainly did. He took it from the Jews, and gave it to the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 77:7

Verse 7 7.and 8.Will the Lord cast off for ever? The statements here made undoubtedly form a part of the searchings which engaged the Psalmist’s mind. He intimates that he was almost overwhelmed by a long succession of calamities; for he did not break forth into this language until he had endured affliction for so long a period as hardly to venture to entertain the hope that God would in future be favorable to him. He might well argue with himself whether God would continue to be gracious; for... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 77:9

Verse 9 9.Hath God forgotten to be merciful? The prophet still continues debating with himself the same subject. His object, however, is not to overthrow his faith, but rather to raise it up. He does not put this question, as if the point to which it refers were a doubtful matter. It is as if he had said, Hath God forgotten himself? or, hath he changed his nature? for he cannot be God unless he is merciful. I indeed admit that he did not remain unshaken as if he had had a heart of steel. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 77:1-15

Refuge in God's unchangeableness. Occasion of the psalm uncertain. "The poet flees from the sorrowful present away into the memory of the years of olden times, and consoles himself especially with the deliverance out of Egypt. But it remains obscure what kind of affliction it is which drives him to find refuge from the God now hidden in the God who was formerly manifest." I. HE PERSEVERES IN PRAYER , THOUGH HE HAS NO SENSE OF THE PRESENCE OR MERCY OF GOD ... read more

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