Psalm 77
This psalm relates to, (1.) A most afflicted case, in which are remarkable, fervent, and incessant prayers, agonizing restlessness, heart-overwhelming meditations, melancholy fears, and almost desperate outcries, concerning God, ver. 1-9. (2.) The effectual cure of this mournful case, by serious meditation on, and solemn acknowledgment of the power, greatness, and grace of God, as our God; and of the holiness and mysteriousness of his providential conduct; particularly in bringing Israel out of Egypt, and leading them through the wilderness, to the promised land, ver. 10-20.
While I sing, let me stand in awe of that God, who so chastiseth his favourite saints. Let me sympathize with men of wounded spirits. If my soul is overwhelmed within me, let me call to mind the gracious character, and great works of my God, for his church, or for my soul.
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.
1 Unto the Lord I with my voice,
I unto God did cry;
Ev’n with my voice, and unto me
his ear he did apply.
2 I in my trouble sought the Lord,
my sore by night did run,
And ceasèd not; my grievèd soul
did consolation shun.
3 I to remembrance God did call,
yet trouble did remain;
And overwhelm’d my spirit was,
whilst I did sore complain.
4 Mine eyes, debarred from rest and sleep,
thou makest still to wake;
My trouble is so great that I
unable am to speak.
5 The days of old to mind I called,
and oft did think upon
The times and ages that are past
full many years agone.
6 By night my song I call to mind,
and commune with my heart;
My sp’rit did carefully enquire
how I might ease my smart.
7 For ever will the Lord cast off,
and gracious be no more?
8 For ever is his mercy gone?
fails his word evermore?
9 Is’t true that to be gracious
the Lord forgotten hath?
And that his tender mercies he
hath shut up in his wrath?
10 Then did I say, That surely this
is mine infirmity:
I’ll mind the years of the right hand
of him that is most High.
11 Yea, I remember will the works
performed by the Lord:
The wonders done of old by thee
I surely will record.
12 I also will of all thy works
my meditation make;
And of thy doings to discourse
great pleasure I will take.
13 O God, thy way most holy is
within thy sanctuary;
And what god is so great in pow’r
as is our God most high?
14 Thou art the God that wonders do’st
by thy right hand most strong:
Thy mighty pow’r thou hast declared
the nations among.
15 To thine own people with thine arm
thou didst redemption bring;
To Jacob’s sons, and to the tribes
of Joseph that do spring.
16 The waters, Lord, perceivèd thee,
the waters saw thee well;
And they for fear aside did flee;
the depths on trembling fell.
17 The clouds in water forth were poured,
sound loudly did the sky;
And swiftly through the world abroad
thine arrows fierce did fly.
18 Thy thunder’s voice alongst the heav’n
a mighty noise did make;
By lightnings lightened was the world,
th’ earth tremble did and shake.
19 Thy way is in the sea, and in
the waters great thy path;
Yet are thy footsteps hid, O Lord;
none knowledge thereof hath.
20 Thy people thou didst safely lead,
like to a flock of sheep;
By Moses’ hand and Aaron’s thou
didst them conduct and keep.
