King James Version
Psalms 77
20 verses with commentary
In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. of: or, for
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.</strong> Psalm 77 opens with personal lament—Asaph's cry to God during deep distress. The doubled expression "with my voice... with my voice" (<em>qoli... qoli</em>, קוֹלִי... קוֹלִי) emphasizes the intensity and persistence of his prayer. This was not silent meditation but vocal crying out.<br><br>"I cri...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **I cried . . .**—Better, following the Hebrew literally,
“My voice to God—and let me cry;
My voice to God—and He hears me.”
The Authorised Version has followed the LXX. and Vulg. in neglecting the striking changes in mood running through this psalm. Soliloquy and narrative alternate as the poet’s mood impels him—now to give vent to his feelings in sobs and cries, now to analyse and describe t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-13. favourest--**or tenderly lovest me (Ge 34:19), evinced by relief from his enemies, and, farther, God recognizes his innocence by upholding him.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →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. sore: Heb. hand
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord</strong> (בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי אֲדֹנָי דָּרַשְׁתִּי)—the Hebrew <em>darash</em> (דָּרַשׁ) means to seek earnestly, inquire, or pursue with intensity. This is not casual prayer but desperate pursuit. The phrase <strong>my sore ran in the night, and ceased not</strong> (יָדִי לַיְלָה נִגְּרָה) literally reads "my hand [was stretched out] in the night, dr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **My sore ran** **. . .**—The text of this verse is evidently faulty. As it stands it is unintelligible. *My hand was poured out and grew not dull *(like a corpse).
The LXX. and Vulg. have, “with my hands against Him**, **and I was not deceived,” pointing to a different reading. Symmachus has, however, “my hand was stretched out,” which may be a possible meaning of the Hebrew, though a compari...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-13. favourest--**or tenderly lovest me (Ge 34:19), evinced by relief from his enemies, and, farther, God recognizes his innocence by upholding him.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I remembered God, and was troubled</strong> (אֶזְכְּרָה אֱלֹהִים וָאֶהֱמָיָה)—paradoxically, remembering God brings <em>hamah</em> (tumult, groaning, disturbance) rather than peace. When God's promises seem contradicted by present suffering, the very thought of God intensifies anguish. This exposes faith at its breaking point: when theology collides with experience, when doctrine offers no...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **I remembered.**—Better,
“If I remember God I must sigh;
I meditate, and my spirit faints.”
**Or,**
“Let me remember God, and sigh;
I must complain, and my spirit faints.”
The word rendered *overwhelmed *(comp. Psalm 142:3; Psalm 143:4) means properly *covers itself up. *In Psalm 107:5 it is translated *fainted.*
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou holdest mine eyes waking</strong> (אָחַזְתָּ שְׁמֻרוֹת עֵינָי)—<em>achaz</em> (אָחַז) means to seize, grasp, or hold fast. God Himself keeps the psalmist's eyes open through the night watches (<em>shemurot</em>, vigil periods). This is not insomnia by human anxiety but divine wrestling, recalling Jacob's all-night struggle at Jabbok (Genesis 32:24-30). God prevents sleep to force spir...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Thou holdest mine eyes waking.**—Rather, *Thou hast closed the guards of my eyes—i.e., *my eyelids. The Authorised Version mistakes the noun. *guards, *for a participle, and mistranslates it by the *active *instead of the *passive. *For the verb *hold *in the sense of *shut, *see Nehemiah 7:3, and Job 26:9, where God is described as veiling His throne in cloud, and so shutting it up, as it w...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 42 Psa 42:1-11. Maschil--(See on Psa 32:1, title). For, or of (see Introduction) the sons of Korah. The writer, perhaps one of this Levitical family of singers accompanying David in exile, mourns his absence from the sanctuary, a cause of grief aggravated by the taunts of enemies, and is comforted in hopes of relief. This course of thought is repeated with some variety of detail, but closing...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times</strong> (חִשַּׁבְתִּי יָמִים מִקֶּדֶם שְׁנוֹת עוֹלָמִים). The verb <em>chashav</em> (חָשַׁב) means to think, reckon, or calculate deliberately. Asaph begins the crucial pivot from present despair to historical reflection. <em>Qedem</em> (קֶדֶם, ancient past) and <em>olamim</em> (עוֹלָם, ages/eternity) stretch memory back to fou...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 42 Psa 42:1-11. Maschil--(See on Psa 32:1, title). For, or of (see Introduction) the sons of Korah. The writer, perhaps one of this Levitical family of singers accompanying David in exile, mourns his absence from the sanctuary, a cause of grief aggravated by the taunts of enemies, and is comforted in hopes of relief. This course of thought is repeated with some variety of detail, but closing...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I call to remembrance my song in the night</strong> (אֶזְכְּרָה נְגִינָתִי בַּלָּיְלָה)—<em>neginah</em> (נְגִינָה) refers to stringed instrument music or song. The psalmist recalls past nights of worship and joy, contrasting with the present night of anguish (v.2). Memory becomes complex: remembering God brought trouble (v.3), yet remembering past praise offers a lifeline. This demonstrat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **I call to remembrance.**—Better,
“Let me recall my harpings in the night;
Let me complain in my own heart,
And my spirit questions and questions.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. Where is thy God?--**implying that He had forsaken him (compare 2Sa 16:7; Psa 3:2; 22:8).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Will the Lord cast off for ever?</strong> (הַלְעוֹלָמִים יִזְנַח אֲדֹנָי). <em>Zanach</em> (זָנַח) means to reject, spurn, or cast away permanently. <em>Le'olamim</em> (לְעוֹלָמִים) emphasizes perpetual abandonment. This begins a series of seven anguished questions (vv.7-9) that expose faith's darkest doubts. The questions are not rhetorical exercises but genuine wrestling with apparent di...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7-9) The self-questionings here follow as they rise sigh after sigh in the poet’s heart. God’s silences have always been more appalling to the human spirit than even the most terrible of His manifestations. To the pious Israelite, to whom the past history of his race appeared one scene of opportune interpositions to save at the moment when distress became too intolerable, it seemed as if the divi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. The verbs are properly rendered as futures, "I will remember," &c.,--**that is, the recollection of this season of distress will give greater zest to the privileges of God's worship, when obtained.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore ? for evermore: Heb. to generation and generation?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Is his mercy clean gone for ever?</strong> (הָאָפֵס לָנֶצַח חַסְדּוֹ). <em>Chesed</em> (חֶסֶד)—God's covenant loyalty, steadfast love, faithful kindness—is central to Hebrew theology. <em>Aphes</em> (אָפֵס) means to cease, come to an end, be exhausted. Can <em>chesed</em>—God's defining attribute—simply terminate? The question is theologically shocking yet psychologically honest.<br><br><s...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5. Hence he chides his despondent soul, assuring himself of a time of joy.
**help of his countenance--**or, "face" (compare Nu 6:25; Psa 4:6; 16:11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Hath God forgotten to be gracious?</strong> (הֲשָׁכַח חַנּוֹת אֵל). <em>Shakach</em> (שָׁכַח) means to forget, ignore, or neglect. <em>Chanun</em> (חַנּוֹת) from <em>chanan</em> (חָנַן) means to show grace, mercy, or compassion. Can the God whose very nature is grace somehow forget His own character? The question borders on absurdity yet expresses the soul's desperate confusion when suffer...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6. Dejection again described.
**therefore--**that is, finding no comfort in myself, I turn to Thee, even in this distant "land of Jordan and the (mountains) Hermon, the country east of Jordan.
**hill Mizar--**as a name of a small hill contrasted with the mountains round about Jerusalem, perhaps denoted the contempt with which the place of exile was regarded.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.</strong> This pivotal verse marks Asaph's transition from despair to hope. After posing anguished questions (verses 7-9) about whether God has permanently rejected His people, Asaph catches himself and redirects his focus.<br><br>"This is my infirmity" (<em>challoti hi</em>, חַלּוֹתִי הִיא) ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **And I said . . .**—The word rendered “infirmity” may, by derivation, mean “wounding” or “piercing.” So Symmachus, “my wound;” Aquila, “my sickness.” Gesenius says, “that which makes my sickness.” If we keep this meaning we must understand mental sickness or “madness,” and understand the poet to say that to indulge in despairing cries is mere madness (comp. King Lear’s, “Oh! that way madness...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. The roar of successive billows, responding to that of floods of rain, represented the heavy waves of sorrow which overwhelmed him.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 77
Chapter Outline
The psalmist's troubles and temptation.(1-10)
He encourages himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people.(11-20)
**Verses 1-10**
Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but...
Read full commentary →I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
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KJV Study Commentary
After expressing distress (vv.1-10), the psalmist pivots to recollection: "I will remember the works of the LORD" (Hebrew <em>ezkor ma'ale Yah</em>). The verb "remember" is active, deliberate—not passive nostalgia but intentional meditation. "Thy wonders of old" (Hebrew <em>pil'ekha miqqedem</em>) refers to God's redemptive acts in history, especially the Exodus. This verse models faith's movement...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **I will remember.**—The written text is, “I will celebrate.” The intention is the same in both cases. Instead of continuing to despair, the poet resolves on seeking encouragement for his faith in grateful praise of God for past mercies, and especially for the ancient deliverance from Egypt, which occupies the prominent place in his thoughts; “works” and “wonders” should be in the singular, r...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. Still he relies on as constant a flow of divine mercy which will elicit his praise and encourage his prayer to God.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I will meditate also of all thy work</strong> (וְהָגִיתִי בְכָל־פָעֳלֶךָ). <em>Hagah</em> (הָגָה) means to meditate, muse, ponder deeply—often with the connotation of verbal repetition (Psalms 1:2, 119:15). <em>Po'al</em> (פֹּעַל) means work, deed, or action. The psalmist commits to contemplating the totality of God's historical acts. This verse parallels verse 11 but adds the dimension of...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
9-10. in view of which [Psa 42:8], he dictates to himself a prayer based on his distress, aggravated as it was by the cruel taunts and infidel suggestions of his foes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm declares "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary" (Hebrew <em>Elohim baqqodesh darkekha</em>)—God's ways are revealed in His holy presence and worship. The rhetorical question "Who is so great a God as our God?" (Hebrew <em>mi-El gadol ka-Elohim</em>) expects the answer "none." This juxtaposes God's transcendent greatness with His condescending nearness in the sanctuary. The verse affirms t...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **In the sanctuary.**—Rather, *with the holy, i.e., *with “Israel,” the “saint” of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
9-10. in view of which [Psa 42:8], he dictates to himself a prayer based on his distress, aggravated as it was by the cruel taunts and infidel suggestions of his foes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalmist declares: "Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people" (Hebrew <em>atah ha-El oseh fele hit-hoda va-amim uzzekha</em>). "Doest wonders" (Hebrew <em>oseh fele</em>) emphasizes God's miraculous interventions—works that transcend natural causation. "Declared thy strength" indicates that God's mighty acts reveal His character and power to nations...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11. This brings on a renewed self-chiding, and excites hopes of relief.
**health--**or help.
**of my countenance--**(compare Psa 42:5) who cheers me, driving away clouds of sorrow from my face.
**my God--**It is He of whose existence and favor my foes would have me doubt.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people</strong> (גָּאַלְתָּ בִּזְרוֹעַ עַמֶּךָ). <em>Ga'al</em> (גָּאַל) is the kinsman-redeemer verb—to redeem, reclaim, or buy back what rightfully belongs to one's family. <em>Zeroa</em> (זְרוֹעַ, arm) represents divine power and strength. The "outstretched arm" becomes shorthand for the exodus deliverance (Exodus 6:6, Deuteronomy 4:34, Psalm 136:12...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid</strong> (רָאוּךָ מַּיִם אֱלֹהִים רָאוּךָ מַּיִם יָחִילוּ). The repetition "the waters saw thee... saw thee" emphasizes intensity. <em>Ra'ah</em> (רָאָה) is visual perception—the waters literally beheld God's presence. <em>Chil</em> (חִיל) means to writhe, tremble, or be in anguish—personifying the waters as sentient creatur...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16-20) The prominence given to Joseph is a feature common to the Asaphic psalm. With this magnificent lyric of the passage of the Red Sea comp. Habakkuk 3:10-11. The narrative in Exodus says nothing of a storm, but Josephus has preserved the tradition (*Ant., *2:16. 3). Philo also mentions the storm.
(16) **The waters saw thee.**—Possibly alluding to the “look” which troubled the Egyptians (Exodu...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 43 Psa 43:1-5. Excepting the recurrence of the refrain, there is no good reason to suppose this a part of the preceding, though the scope is the same. It has always been placed separate.
**1. Judge--**or, "vindicate" (Psa 10:18).
**plead, &c.--**(Psa 35:1).
**ungodly--**neither in character or condition objects of God's favor (compare Psa 4:3).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. poured: Heb. were poured forth with water
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The clouds poured out water</strong> (זֹרְמוּ מַיִם עָבוֹת). <em>Zaram</em> (זָרַם) means to gush, pour forth abundantly. <em>Avoth</em> (עָבוֹת) are dark rain clouds. This likely references the pillar of cloud that guided Israel (Exodus 13:21) or the thunderstorm at Sinai (Exodus 19:16-19). The imagery blends exodus and Sinai theophany, both demonstrating God's powerful presence.<br><br><...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. God of my strength--**by covenant relation my stronghold (Psa 18:1).
**cast me off--**in scorn.
**because--**or, "in," that is, in such circumstances of oppression.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven</strong> (קוֹל רַעַמְךָ בַּגַּלְגַּל). <em>Ra'am</em> (רַעַם) is thunder. <em>Galgal</em> (גַּלְגַּל) literally means wheel or whirlwind—possibly the rolling thunder or the circular motion of the storm. Thunder is God's voice declaring His majesty and power (Job 37:2-5, Psalm 29:3-9). At Sinai, thunder accompanied God's speaking the Ten Commandmen...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **In the heavens.**—Literally, *in the vault. *The Hebrew, *galgal, *from *gālal, *“to roll,” has the same derivation as “vault” (*volutum, *from *volvo*)*. *It is strange that this rendering, which so well suits the parallelism, should have been set aside by modern scholars in favour of “whirlwind” or “rolling chariot wheels.” The LXX. and Vulg. have “wheel,” but possibly with reference to t...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. light--**as in Psa 27:1.
**truth--**or, "faithfulness" (Psa 25:5), manifest it by fulfilling promises. Light and truth are personified as messengers who will bring him to the privileged place of worship.
**tabernacles--**plural, in allusion to the various courts.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.</strong> The psalm's closing section (verses 16-20) recalls the exodus, and this verse captures both the glory and the mystery of God's ways. Having moved from despair to memory, Asaph now contemplates divine transcendence.<br><br>"Thy way is in the sea" (<em>bayam darkekha</em>, בַּיָּם דַּרְכֶּךָ) r...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Are not known.**—“We know not, they knew not, by what precise means the deliverance was wrought; we know not by what precise track through the gulf the passage was effected. We know not; we need not know. The obscuring, the mystery, here as elsewhere, was part of the lesson. . . . All that we see distinctly is, that through this dark and terrible night, with the enemy pressing close behind,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. the altar--**as the chief place of worship. The mention of the harp suggests the prominence of praise in his offering.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.</strong> The psalm concludes with tender shepherd imagery, completing the movement from despair to confident memory. The God who walked through impossible waters also led His people with intimate, pastoral care.<br><br>"Thou leddest" (<em>nachita</em>, נָחִיתָ) uses <em>nachah</em>, meaning to guide, lead, or bring along....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-20**
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typica...
Read full commentary →