◄ Psalm 77:10 ►
So I said, "I am grieved that the right hand of the Most High has changed."
Study Bible
So I said
This phrase introduces a personal reflection or declaration by the psalmist. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "אָמַרְתִּי" (amarti), which is a form of the verb "to say." This indicates a moment of introspection or a turning point in the psalmist's thought process. The psalmist is engaging in a dialogue with himself, which is a common feature in the Psalms, reflecting a deep, personal wrestling with faith and doubt.

I am grieved
The Hebrew word for "grieved" here is "חָלָה" (chalah), which can also mean to be weak, sick, or afflicted. This word choice conveys a profound sense of emotional and spiritual turmoil. The psalmist is expressing a deep sorrow or distress, which is not just a fleeting feeling but a significant, burdensome state. This reflects the human condition of grappling with suffering and the feeling of being overwhelmed by life's challenges.

that the right hand of the Most High has changed
The "right hand" is a biblical metaphor for power and authority. In Hebrew, "יְמִין" (yamin) is often used to denote strength and the execution of divine will. The "Most High," or "עֶלְיוֹן" (Elyon), is a title for God that emphasizes His supreme sovereignty and majesty. The psalmist is lamenting a perceived change in God's dealings with him, suggesting a feeling of abandonment or a shift in divine favor. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' experiences of exile and suffering, where they felt distanced from God's protective power. This phrase captures the tension between faith in God's unchanging nature and the reality of life's unpredictable hardships. It invites believers to trust in God's ultimate plan, even when His ways seem inscrutable.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 77, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court. He is known for his deep and reflective psalms that often explore themes of struggle and faith.

2. The Most High
A title for God, emphasizing His supreme authority and power over all creation. It reflects His sovereignty and unchanging nature.

3. The Right Hand of God
Symbolizes God's power and action in the world. In biblical terms, the right hand often represents strength, authority, and deliverance.

4. Israel's History
The context of the psalm reflects on Israel's past experiences of God's deliverance and faithfulness, which are contrasted with the current feelings of abandonment.

5. The Sanctuary
While not directly mentioned in this verse, the sanctuary is often a place of reflection and remembrance of God's past deeds, which is a theme in the surrounding verses.
Teaching Points
Understanding Grief and Doubt
It's natural to experience moments of doubt and grief, even in our faith journey. Asaph's honesty in expressing his feelings is a model for us to bring our struggles before God.

The Unchanging Nature of God
While our circumstances may change, God's nature and His promises remain constant. Reflecting on His past faithfulness can strengthen our trust in Him.

The Power of Remembrance
Remembering God's past deeds can provide comfort and hope during times of spiritual dryness. Regularly recounting His works can renew our faith.

The Role of Community in Faith
Asaph's role as a leader in worship highlights the importance of community in supporting and encouraging one another through difficult times.

Prayer as a Response to Doubt
Turning to prayer and honest communication with God is a vital response when we feel distant from Him. It opens the door for His reassurance and guidance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Asaph's expression of grief in Psalm 77:10 resonate with your own experiences of doubt or spiritual struggle?

2. In what ways can reflecting on God's past faithfulness help you in your current circumstances?

3. How does the concept of God's "right hand" provide comfort and assurance in your life today?

4. What role does community play in helping you navigate times of spiritual doubt or grief?

5. How can you incorporate the practice of remembrance into your daily spiritual routine to strengthen your faith?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 73
Also written by Asaph, this psalm explores similar themes of doubt and faith, providing a broader context for understanding his spiritual journey.

Exodus 15:6
The "right hand" of God is celebrated for its power in delivering Israel from Egypt, illustrating the historical acts of God that Asaph recalls.

Isaiah 41:10
This verse reassures believers of God's unchanging support and strength, countering the feeling of abandonment expressed in Psalm 77:10.
Sermons
A Supreme Mental DistressR. Tuck Psalm 77:10
Holy Remembrance a Means to Recover Out of DistrustT. Horton, D. D.Psalm 77:10
Religious DepressionDaniel Wilson.Psalm 77:10
Spiritual InfirmitiesB. Beddome, M. A.Psalm 77:10
Technical Training in the Spiritual LifeW. L. Watkinson.Psalm 77:10
Temperamental LimitationsW. L. Watkinson.Psalm 77:10
The Best Saints ImperfectExpository OutlinesPsalm 77:10
The True FocusG. Campbell Morgan, M. A.Psalm 77:10
The Years of the Right Hand of GodMorgan Dix, D. D.Psalm 77:10
Refuge in God's UnchangeablenessC. Short Psalm 77:1-15
From Darkness to DawnS. Conway Psalm 77:1-20
God's Ear Open to the Cry of the NeedyJ. C. Ryle.Psalm 77:1-20
The Faculty of Human ThoughtHomilistPsalm 77:1-20
Against Excessive GriefJohn Lindsay, D. D.Psalm 77:7-12
People
Aaron, Asaph, Jacob, Jeduthun, Joseph, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Appeal, Change, Changed, Changes, Grief, Infirmity, Mind, Remember, Spirit, Weakness, Weight
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 77:10

     1265   hand of God
     1270   right hand of God

Psalm 77:7-12

     6233   rejection, experience

Psalm 77:10-20

     8724   doubt, dealing with

Library
June the Eleventh the Path Across the Sea
"Thy way is in the sea." --PSALM lxxvii. 11-20. And the sea appears to be the most trackless of worlds! The sea is the very symbol of mystery, the grim dwelling-house of innumerable things that have been lost. But God's way moves here and there across this trackless wild. God is never lost among our mysteries. He knows his way about. When we are bewildered He sees the road, and He sees the end even from the beginning. Even the sea, in every part of it, is the Lord's highway. When His way is in …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

A Question for a Questioner
The question which makes our text is meant to end other questions. You may carry truth as far as ever you like, and it will always be truth. Truth is like those crystals which, when split up into the smallest possible fragments, still retain their natural form. You may break truth in pieces, you may do what you like with it, and it is truth throughout; but error is diverse within itself, and evermore bears its own death within itself. You can see its falsehood even in its own light. Bring it forward, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 31: 1885

Ere Another Step I Take
"I commune with mine own heart." -- Psalm 77:6. Ere another step I take In my wilful wandering way, Still I have a choice to make -- Shall I alter while I may? Patient love is waiting still In my Savior's heart for me; Love to bend my froward will, Love to make me really free. Far from Him, what can I gain? Want and shame, and bondage vile -- Better far to bear the pain Of His yoke a little while. Soon I might its comfort find; Soon my thankful heart might cry, "In Thy meek obedient mind, As …
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations

Despondency Self-Corrected. --Ps. Lxxvii.
Despondency Self-Corrected.--Ps. lxxvii. In time of tribulation, Hear, Lord, my feeble cries, With humble supplication To Thee my spirit flies: My heart with grief is breaking, Scarce can my voice complain; Mine eyes, with tears kept waking, Still watch and weep in vain. The days of old, in vision, Bring vanish'd bliss to view; The years of lost fruition Their joys in pangs renew; Remember'd songs of gladness, Through night's lone silence brought, Strike notes of deeper sadness, And stir desponding …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

A Path in the Sea
'And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How the Whole and the Sick are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 13.) Differently to be admonished are the whole and the sick. For the whole are to be admonished that they employ the health of the body to the health of the soul: lest, if they turn the grace of granted soundness to the use of iniquity, they be made worse by the gift, and afterwards merit the severer punishments, in that they fear not now to use amiss the more bountiful gifts of God. The whole are to be admonished that they despise not the opportunity of winning health for ever. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Letter iii (A. D. 1131) to Bruno, Archbishop Elect of Cologne
To Bruno, [8] Archbishop Elect of Cologne Bernard having been consulted by Bruno as to whether he ought to accept the See of Cologne, so replies as to hold him in suspense, and render him in awe of the burden of so great a charge. He advises him to seek counsel of God in prayer. 1. You seek counsel from me, most illustrious Bruno, as to whether you ought to accept the Episcopate, to which it is desired to advance you. What mortal can presume to decide this for you? If God calls you, who can dare …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Letter Xlii to the Illustrious Youth, Geoffrey De Perrone, and his Comrades.
To the Illustrious Youth, Geoffrey de Perrone, and His Comrades. He pronounces the youths noble because they purpose to lead the religious life, and exhorts them to perseverance. To his beloved sons, Geoffrey and his companions, Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, wishes the spirit of counsel and strength. 1. The news of your conversion that has got abroad is edifying many, nay, is making glad the whole Church of God, so that The heavens rejoice and the earth is glad (Ps. xcvi. 11), and every tongue …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Covenant Duties.
It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. The law and covenant of God are co-extensive; and what is enjoined in the one is confirmed in the other. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He Associates with Malchus
[Sidenote: 1095.] 1. Our Malachy, born in Ireland,[134] of a barbarous people, was brought up there, and there received his education. But from the barbarism of his birth he contracted no taint, any more than the fishes of the sea from their native salt. But how delightful to reflect, that uncultured barbarism should have produced for us so worthy[135] a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of God.[136] He who brings honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock[137] …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
1. A brief recapitulation of the leading points of the whole discussion. The scope of this chapter. The necessity of the doctrine of faith. This doctrine obscured by the Schoolmen, who make God the object of faith, without referring to Christ. The Schoolmen refuted by various passages. 2. The dogma of implicit faith refuted. It destroys faith, which consists in a knowledge of the divine will. What this will is, and how necessary the knowledge of it. 3. Many things are and will continue to be implicitly …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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