Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 77:1-10

"I will cry unto God with my voice, Even unto God with my voice; and he will give ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My hand was stretched out in the night, and slacked not; My soul refused to be comforted. I remember God, and am disquieted: I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah Thou holdest mine eyes watching: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I have considered the days of old, The years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart; And my spirit maketh diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? And will he be favorable no more? Is his lovingkindness clean gone for ever? Doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah And I said, This is my infirmity; [But I will remember] the years of the right hand of the Most High." — Psalms 77:1-10 (ASV)

Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek Him until we find Him. In the day of his trouble, the psalmist did not seek the diversion of business or amusement, but he sought God, and His favor and grace. Those who are under trouble of mind must pray it away. He dwelled on the trouble; the methods that should have relieved him only increased his grief.

When he remembered God, it was only the Divine justice and wrath. His spirit was overwhelmed and sank under the load. But let us not allow the remembrance of the comforts we have lost to make us unthankful for those that are left. He particularly recalled the comforts with which he supported himself in former sorrows. This is the language of a sorrowful, deserted soul, walking in darkness; it is a common case even among those who fear the Lord (Isaiah 50:10). Nothing wounds and pierces like the thought of God being angry.

God's own people, in a cloudy and dark day, may be tempted to make wrong conclusions about their spiritual state and that of God's kingdom in the world. But we must not give way to such fears. Let faith answer them from the Scripture. The troubled fountain will work itself clear again; and the recollection of former times of joyful experience often raises a hope, tending to relief.

Doubts and fears proceed from the lack and weakness of faith. Despondency and distrust under affliction are too often the infirmities of believers, and, as such, we should reflect on them with sorrow and shame. When unbelief is working in us, we must therefore suppress its risings.