Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

77:5 The days of old and the years long ago refer to earlier times, when it seemed that the condition of the people of God was better--this provokes the question, did God use up his favor? The answer is in vv. 10-11, repeating parts of these expressions: the "years of the right hand of the Most High" and the "wonders of old."

77:6 my song in the night. Since the word for "song" (Hb. neginah) occurs often in the sense of "stringed instruments" used in public worship (titles of Psalms 4; 6; 55; 61; 67; 76; Hab. 3:19; cf. Isa. 38:20), it is reasonable to suppose that these songs are worship songs, celebrating God's mighty deeds for his people, which the faithful Israelite might sing in private for edification or comfort.

77:7-9 It does not offend God when his troubled people raise these questions with an interest in the explanation. Indeed, just putting the questions invites the answer, since they touch on the points of Ex. 34:6, which describes the enduring benevolence of God toward his people: if God abounds in steadfast love, then it cannot cease, nor can his promises be at an end; if God is gracious, he cannot forget to continue that grace, nor can he shut up his compassion. The key matter is the last line: has he done this in anger? God's anger is a response to unfaithfulness on the part of his people, and will only remain if they remain impenitent. Hence this calls the people to examine themselves and to lay hold of the covenant afresh.