And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
-This is the transition point to hope. The recalling of past deliverances vouchsafed by God, which had hitherto only aggravated the Psalmist's despondency, here suggests firm faith.
Verse 10. And I said, This is my infirmity - i:e., my affliction appointed by God; literally, my sickness ( chalowtiy (H2470)) (Jeremiah 10:19; Psalms 39:9).
(But I will remember) the years of the right hand of the Most High. The words italicized in the English version are supplied from Psalms 77:11. Instead of yielding to despair, because of my affliction, I will remember the many years wherein formerly God manifested His grace and power in His people's behalf. Hengstenberg takes the whole verse, 'it is my sickness ... the years of the right hand of the Most High.' These years of affliction are only the years which the right hand of the Most High has brought in; therefore they are to be borne patiently. So 1 Peter 5:6, 'the mighty hand of God' - i:e., His afflicting hand. I prefer the English version, as there is an allusion to Psalms 77:5, 'I consider the years of ancient times'-namely, when He interposed in His people's behalf. The ellipsis is natural, since he had already spoken of considering the years of God's former grace (Psalms 77:5). Then the consideration of them only added to His present pain by the contrast; but now the consideration suggests hope and trust. The abruptness of the exclamatory clause standing without a verb, implies the sudden transition from despondency to believing, "The years of the right hand of the Most High." The mere mention of them is enough. Faith supplies the ellipsis. The Chaldaic, Septuagint, Vulgate, Ethiopic, and Arabic take the Hebrew, shªnowt (H8141), for "years." as 'change:' 'there is a change of the right hand of the Most High.' He is no longer, as formerly, ready to help us. But the same Hebrew in Psalms 77:5 establishes the sense, "years."
Verse 11. I will remember the works of the Lord - the true way to regaining hope and faith.
Verse 12. I will meditate also of all thy work - singular. The whole series of God's acts of grace and might in behalf of His people are regarded as one great work.