Psalms 77 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Bible Comments
  • Psalms 77:1 open_in_new

    To the chief Musician. See App-64.

    to Jeduthun. See App-65.

    Title.. Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65.

    of Asaph. for Asaph. The sixth of the twelve Asaph Psalms. App-63.

    God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

    He gave ear. Inf.. "to give ear". Therefore supply Ellipsis (App-6): "He [condescended] to give ear".

  • Psalms 77:2 open_in_new

    the LORD*. One of the 134 places where the Sopherim altered Jehovah to Adonai. See App-32.

    My sore ran. Hebrew hand was outstretched: i.e. in prayer.

    ceased not: i.e. to be outstretched.

    My soul. I (emphatic).

  • Psalms 77:3 open_in_new

    complained. communed [with myself].

    my spirit. I (emphatic). Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

    Selah. Connecting this self-introspection with its sure result misery. See App-66.

  • Psalms 77:8 open_in_new

    mercy. lovingkindness, or grace.

    promise. word. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the promise given by it.

  • Psalms 77:9 open_in_new

    GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.

    Selah. Connecting all this misery with the only sure remedy occupation with God: and passing from "I" and "my" to "Thou" and "Thy". (App-66.)

  • Psalms 77:11 open_in_new

    the works. doings.

    THE LORD. Hebrew Jah. App-4.

    wonders. Hebrew work. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "wonders": i.e. wonderful ways or works.

  • Psalms 77:13 open_in_new

    the sanctuary. Only here, in God '. presence, is found peace and happiness.

    Who... ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6), for emphasis. This is the cry resulting from occupation with God. Even the cry of His saints. See note on Exodus 15:11.

  • Psalms 77:15 open_in_new

    Joseph. Because his sons were not the direct sons of Jacob.

    Selah. Connecting the redemption from Egypt with the accomplishment of it as recorded in "the scriptures of truth". See App-66.

  • Psalms 77:16 open_in_new

    The waters. Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for emphasis: i.e. the waters of the Nile, and the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31).

    The depths. Not referring to the "abyss" of Babylonian mythology, which was. corruption of primitive truth (Genesis 1:2), but the Red Sea emphasized in the preceding clause.

  • Psalms 77:17 open_in_new

    clouds. the thick or dark clouds.

    arrows. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for lightnings, mentioned below.

  • Psalms 77:18 open_in_new

    was in the heaven. Hebrew. galgal. rolled along.

    The. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "Thy".

    lightened. illumined.

  • Psalms 77:19 open_in_new

    is. was.

    the sea. Not the sea-monster, the Ti'amat of Babylonian mythology, but the Red Sea mentioned above. See note on "The depths", Psalms 77:16.

    path. Hebrew text. "paths"; but some codices, with five early printed editions, as in Authorized Version.

    footsteps. footprints: i.e. when the waters return to their place.