Psalms 77 WBT
Summary: Asaph pours out a night of personal anguish: "I cried unto God with my voice... my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted" (v. 1-2), wondering aloud whether God's mercy has failed permanently. The turning point comes when he deliberately shifts from complaint to memory: "I will remember the works of the LORD... I will meditate also of all thy work" (v. 11-12). He then recalls the exodus in vivid, almost mythic imagery — the waters seeing God and writhing, thunder and lightning at the sea — climaxing in the striking line "thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known" (v. 19), showing God's guidance even where it cannot be traced.
1To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried to God with my voice, [even] to God with my voice; and he gave ear to me.
2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
4Thou holdest my eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with my own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
7Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favorable no more?
8Is his mercy wholly gone for ever? doth [his] promise fail for evermore?
9Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
10And I said, This [is] my infirmity: [but I will remember] the years of the right hand of the Most High.
11I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a God as [our] God!
14Thou [art] the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15Thou hast with [thy] arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were disturbed.
17The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thy arrows also went abroad.
18The voice of thy thunder [was] in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
19Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
20Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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