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

77:10-20 The Appeal: What God Has Done in the Past for His People. This psalm directs attention to what God has done for his people in the past, especially in the exodus and in the wilderness, as grounds for confidence that God will not abandon his purpose for his people: the spiritual condition of any particular generation will not derail that purpose, though it may indeed prevent members of that generation from receiving saving benefits from God, and from participating constructively in the outworking of that purpose in the world. This is why the appeal is not to the people, but to the years of the right hand of the Most High. God's "right hand" is the expression of his power for the sake of his people (e.g., Ex. 15:6, 12). God's deeds, wonders, work, and mighty deeds (Ps. 77:11-12) are likewise great things he has done to save and preserve his people. The colorful recollection of the exodus (vv. 16-19) comes to a soft landing with the simple statement that God led his people like a flock through the wilderness, by the hand of Moses and Aaron (v. 20). The singing congregation is left to draw the conclusion for themselves: the God who has done these great things certainly has the power to do them again if need be; and all the records of these events (the Pentateuch) speak clearly of God's unwavering commitment to bring blessing to Abraham's children, and through them to the world. So this song helps God's people to refresh their hope and renew their commitment to be a holy people, an attractive advertisement of the true God to the rest of the world.