A Sleepless Night of Sorrow
Study note
The psalmist cried out to God in his trouble but his soul refused to be comforted. He could not sleep and was too troubled to speak. He asks painful questions: Has God cast us off forever? Has his mercy ended?
1 I called out to God with all my voice. I called out to God, and he listened to me. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
2 When I was going through a terrible time, I looked for the Lord. All through the night I reached out my hands toward him. Nothing could comfort my soul. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
3 When I thought about God, I let out a deep groan. The more I turned things over in my mind, the weaker my spirit felt. Selah. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
4 You would not let me close my eyes. I was so upset that words would not come. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 My mind drifted back to the old days, to years that have long since passed. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6 During the night I recalled the songs I used to sing. I talked it over in my heart, and my spirit kept looking for answers. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
7 Will the Lord push us away and never accept us again? Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
8 Has his steady love disappeared for good? Has every promise he made come to an end? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
9 Has God stopped being kind? Has his anger locked away all his tenderness? Selah. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
Remembering God's Mighty Deeds
Study note
The turning point comes when the psalmist chooses to remember God's wonders of old. He meditates on God's works and declares: Who is so great a God as our God? God redeemed his people with his mighty arm.
10 Then I told myself, "Here is what breaks my heart: the mighty hand of the Most High seems different now." And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
11 But I will keep thinking about what the Lord has done. Yes, I will hold on to the memory of the amazing things you did long ago. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12 I will think carefully about everything you have done and let my mind dwell on your powerful acts. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13 God, everything about your way is set apart and pure. What other god comes close to being as great as you? Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does things that seem impossible. You showed your strength for all the nations to see. Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15 With your strong arm you bought your people back -- the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
God's Path Through the Sea
Study note
The psalm ends with a stunning description of God leading Israel through the Red Sea. The waters saw God and trembled. Thunder and lightning filled the sky. God led his people like a flock through the hand of Moses and Aaron.
16 The waters caught sight of you, God. The waters saw you and shook with fear. Even the deepest ocean trembled. The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
17 Rain poured from the clouds. Thunder rumbled across the sky. Your bolts of lightning shot in every direction. The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
18 Your thunder rolled through the whirlwind. Flashes of lightning made the whole world bright. The ground shook and rocked beneath us. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
19 You carved your road through the middle of the sea. You walked through the deep waters, yet nobody could find your footprints. Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
20 You guided your people the way a shepherd leads a flock, with Moses and Aaron showing the way. Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.