For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of Asaph. 

 

Asaph wrote this song for Jeduthun. He was one of the Levitical choir directors appointed by David to lead public worship. This song would be performed at the appointed Jewish festivals.

 

77:1 I will cry out to God and call for help! I will cry out to God and he will pay attention to me. 

 

Asaph was in trouble, so he would cry out to God for help.

 

77:2 In my time of trouble I sought the Lord. I kept my hand raised in prayer throughout the night. I refused to be comforted. 

 

Asaph prayed all night long.  Whenever Jesus prayed, He looked up and not down.

 

77:3 I said, “I will remember God while I groan; I will think about him while my strength leaves me.” (Selah) 

 

Asaph will remember God during his pain. Asaph may have been ill, because his strength was beginning to leave him. He asked the congregation to think and meditate upon these spiritual concepts.

 

77:4 You held my eyelids open; I was troubled and could not speak. 

 

God would not allow Asaph to get any sleep.

 

77:5 I thought about the days of old, about ancient times. 

 

During Asaph’s depression, he thought about the ancient times.

 

77:6 I said, “During the night I will remember the song I once sang; I will think very carefully.” I tried to make sense of what was happening. 

 

During his depression, Asaph remembered old songs in which he once sang.

 

77:7 I asked, “Will the Lord reject me forever? Will he never again show me his favor? 

 

In his depression, Asaph wondered if God had rejected him forever.

 

77:8 Has his loyal love disappeared forever? Has his promise failed forever?

 

In his depression, Asaph wondered if God’s loyal love had disappeared. He wondered if God would fail to keep His promise. 

 

77:9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has his anger stifled his compassion?” 

 

In his depression, Asaph wondered if God had forgotten how to be merciful. He wondered if God’s anger was greater than His compassion.

 

77:10 Then I said, “I am sickened by the thought that the sovereign One might become inactive. 

 

In his depression, Asaph began to think that the sovereign will of God might have become inactive. Maybe God was not sovereign over all things?

 

77:11 I will remember the works of the Lord. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago! 

 

In his depression, Asaph begin to remember the amazing things that God had done in the past.

 

77:12 I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!” 

 

In his depression, Asaph would think about all of the great things in which God had done. He would reflect upon His mighty deeds of the past.

 

77:13 O God, your deeds are extraordinary! What god can compare to our great God? 

 

Asaph begin to praise God for His past extraordinary deeds, causing Asaph's depression to disappear.

 

77:14 You are the God who does amazing things; you have revealed your strength among the nations. 

 

Asaph continued his praise. He proclaimed that God does amazing things. He praised God for revealing His omnipotent strength against the Gentiles.

 

77:15 You delivered your people by your strength— the children of Jacob and Joseph. (Selah) 

 

Asaph praised God for His Exodus deliverance.

 

77:16 The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and trembled. Yes, the depths of the sea shook with fear. 

 

Asaph praised God for the global flood. The global flood was a good thing, because it exterminated the demon hybrids out of the world.

 

77:17 The clouds poured down rain; the skies thundered. Yes, your arrows flashed about. 

 

Asaph praised God again for the global flood.

 

77:18 Your thunderous voice was heard in the wind; the lightning bolts lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook.

 

During the global flood, the thunderous voice of God was heard in the wind. Lighting was seen in the sky. All of the men trembled on the earth, as they now knew that Noah’s 120 years of preaching was the truth.

 

77:19 You walked through the sea; you passed through the surging waters, but left no footprints. 

 

During the parting of the Red Sea, God walked before the Israelites, but He left no footprints.

 

77:20 You led your people like a flock of sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 

 

Asaph praised God for leading Israel into the promised land through the shepherding hands of Moses and Aaron.