Psalms 77

To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. A Psalm composed by Asaph, and sent by him to that song-master, who was over the children of Jeduthun; in which I imagined, at first sight, that he represented the sad condition of Hezekiah, and the motions of his heart towards God in his sickness, (2 Chron. xxxii. 24. Isa. xxxviii. 1.) But, upon farther consideration, it appears, from the latter part of it, that he bewails the calamity of all the nation: either when Sennacherib overran the country, or else in the captivity of Babylon. If we refer it to the latter, then it was not Asaph the seer, whom 1^ mentioned before, (Psal. lxxiii.) that made this Psalm; but some other in aftertimes, (see Psal. Ixxiv.) who laments the long continuance of their captivity; which looked like an utter forsaking by God; but he comforts’ himself, at last; with the remembrance of what God had done formerly for them, when he delivered them out of the Egyptian bondage.

Psalms 77:1

JL CRIED unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. I have incessantly made my prayer to God, and I will still most earnestly entreat his favour: to him who hath justly afflicted us, and can alone relieve us, have I again and again renewed my importunate suit; which I hope will at last prevail with him for deliverance.

Psalms 77:2

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. I have not negligently discharged this duty, but as the distress is great wherein we are, so I have restlessly implored help from the Lord: in the night, when men are wont to bury their troubles in sleep, I have with unwearied diligence spread out my hands unto him (in token that all my dependance is upon his power alone), resolving to adrait of no consolation, till I obtained a gracious answer from him.

Psalms 77:3

I remembered God, and ivas troubled: I com plained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. ! remem-