Psa 77 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-10 Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him.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 he sought God, and his favor and grace. Those that are under trouble of mind, must pray it away. He pored upon the trouble; the methods that should have relieved him did but increase 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 not the remembrance of the comforts we have lost, make us unthankful for those that are left. Particularly he called to remembrance the comforts with which he supported himself in former sorrows. Here is the language of a sorrowful, deserted soul, walking in darkness; a common case even among those that fear the Lord, #Isa 50:10|. Nothing wounds and pierces like the thought of God's 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 want and weakness of faith. Despondency and distrust under affliction, are too often the infirmities of believers, and, as such, are to be thought upon by us with sorrow and shame. When, unbelief is working in us, we must thus suppress its risings.

‏ Psalms 77

* The psalmist's troubles and temptation. (1-10) He encourages

himself by the remembrance of God's help of his people. (11-20)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have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him.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 he sought God, and his

favor and grace. Those that are under trouble of mind, must pray

it away. He pored upon the trouble; the methods that should have

relieved him did but increase 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 not the

remembrance of the comforts we have lost, make us unthankful for

those that are left. Particularly he called to remembrance the

comforts with which he supported himself in former sorrows. Here

is the language of a sorrowful, deserted soul, walking in

darkness; a common case even among those that fear the Lord,

#Isa 50:10|. Nothing wounds and pierces like the thought of

God's 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 want and weakness of faith. Despondency and distrust under

affliction, are too often the infirmities of believers, and, as

such, are to be thought upon by us with sorrow and shame. When,

unbelief is working in us, we must thus suppress its risings. 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

typical of the great redemption to be wrought out in the fulness

of time, both by price and power. If we have harboured doubtful

thoughts, we should, without delay, turn our minds to meditate

on that God, who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up

for us all, that with him, he might freely give us all things