Psalm 77 Study Notes

77:11-12 Your ancient wonders probably refers to the exodus, God’s supreme act of power and grace on his people. Meditate is the same word as in Ps 1:2.

77:13 A hymn (vv. 13-20) immediately follows the end of the lament. God’s way (Hb derek), the determination and exercise of his divine will, reflects his holy character. The rhetorical question What god is great like God? often introduces incomparability statements in hymns emphasizing the Lord’s sovereignty (18:31; Ex 15:11; 2Sm 22:32; Is 40:18), omnipotence (Ex 15:11; Dt 3:24; Ps 71:19; 89:8), omniscience (Is 44:7), stature (Ps 113:5; Is 40:25), and capacity for forgiveness (Mc 7:18).

77:14 God’s strength, revealed through Israel’s redemption from bondage, alludes to the exodus, which provided the paradigm against which Israel anticipated the Lord’s deliverance from future enemies. The reference to “descendants of Jacob and Joseph” in v. 15 reinforces the exodus allusion.

77:15 With power is literally “by arm.” By his powerful arm, God redeems, saves, and executes judgment (44:3; 89:13; 98:1; 118:15; Is 50:2; 51:5; 52:10; 59:1).

77:16-18 Using divine warrior imagery, the psalmist declared that cosmic upheaval accompanies God’s presence (18:7-15; 114:3-5; Ex 19:16-19), and creation exults in worship before him. The Lord’s arrows (v. 17) refer to lightning bolts (29:7; 76:3). The storm language depicts his control over all of nature’s forces.

77:19 Referring to Israel’s procession through the parted water of the Red Sea, the psalmist recalled the mysterious work of the Lord, who was unseen yet present.

77:20 The psalms of Asaph often use shepherd and flock imagery to emphasize the Lord’s compassion and care.