Psalms 77:10

And I saidintroduces the argument by which the Psalmist thrusts aside the possibility of an affirmative answer to his questionings. But the rest of the verse is obscure, and has been very variously explained. The precise sense of the word rendered my infirmityis doubtful; and in the second line the word sh'nôthmay mean years, or, changing. If the rendering yearsis adopted, the verb I will remembermust be supplied from Psalms 77:11. Two explanations deserve consideration.

(i) Thisapparent desertion of Israel by God is my suffering, and I must bear it (cp. Jeremiah 10:19); but for my consolation I will recall the years of the right hand of the Most High, "the years of ages past" (Psalms 77:3), in which the sovereign power of the Ruler of the world was put forth on behalf of His people.

(ii) It is my weaknesswhich prompts these questionings. To think that the right hand of the Most High doth change!that His power can ever grow feeble (Isaiah 50:2) or His will change (Malachi 3:6)!

The explanation, -This is what grieveth me, that the right hand of the Most High doth change," is untenable, for Psalms 77:10 clearly introduces the answer to his doubts.

The authority of the Ancient Versions is in favour of taking sh'nôthin the sense of change[42], but on the other hand the first explanation retains the sense in which the word has already occurred in Psalms 77:5.

[42] The Targ. however gives alternative renderings.