The middle phrase in the superscription of Psalm 77, which may be part of the postscript of Psalm 76, says "To Jeduthun"—the last of three occurrences of this designation in the psalms (see also the titles of Psalms 39 and 62). As mentioned regarding the previous occurrences, Jeduthun was one of David's three music directors, apparently synonymous with Ethan, who was over the Merarite performers (i.e., of the Levitical sub-tribe of Merari), as Asaph led the Gershonite choir and Heman led the Kohathite performers (compare 1 Chronicles 6:16, 1 Chronicles 6:33, 1 Chronicles 6:39, 1 Chronicles 6:43-44; 1 Chronicles 15:17-19; 1 Chronicles 16:41-42; 1 Chronicles 25:1, 1 Chronicles 25:6; 2 Chronicles 5:12; 2 Chronicles 35:15).

In great duress over some unnamed circumstance, Asaph has poured out his heart to God, knowing God has heard him (verse 1). He speaks in verse 2 of "the day of my trouble." While seemingly personal, this may, like some of the other psalms in this section, reflect a time of national tragedy—particularly considering the focus of the end of the psalm on God's past intervention for Israel.

Asaph has lifted his outspread hands to God in prayer through the night as he just can't get comfortable or go to sleep (verses 2, 4a). Thinking about God is only troubling to him (verse 3) because he doesn't understand why God is permitting or causing what is happening. He doesn't know what to say (verse 4b).

In verses 5-6, Asaph is trying to put the present situation into perspective by thinking on the past. Yet this engenders the question of why God is not showing mercy as He has before. In its note on verses 7-9, The Expositor's Bible Commentary states: "The formulation of questions has a therapeutic effect.... These questions go from the present situation of rejection (v. 7) to the cause: the Lord's 'anger' (v. 9). In asking these questions and in expressing his doubts, the heart of the psalmist comes to rest; for he knows the God of Abraham...will remain faithful to 'his promise.'"

Though in turmoil, Asaph determines to recall and meditate on God's mighty intervention of times past (verses 10-13). If the added italicized "is" in verse 13 (NKJV) is dropped, as it could be, the clause here, starting with the end of the previous verse could read, "...and talk of Your deeds—Your way, O God—in the sanctuary." The next line reflects what he would say: "Who is so great a God as our God?"

Through the remainder of the psalm, Asaph thinks about God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt in the days of Moses and Aaron (verses 14-20). Asaph's mind is moved as he meditates. "Unconsciously he has jumped from (a) talking about God, to (b) talking to God. Then he finds himself in prayer (c) confessing God's greatness, and finally (d) he seizes on the fact that of course...he belongs to that people whom God has already redeemed" (George Knight, Psalms, comments on verses 12-15).

Asaph concludes the psalm with declarations of God's sovereignty over the "waters"—a symbol of chaotic, threatening forces. The waters here are viewed as the thunderclouds of storm (verses 17-18) and the mighty sea, which God divided to lead his people through (verses 16, 19-20). "Lost in contemplation of the greatness of God, the poet seems thoroughly distracted from his pain. He does not mention it again, not daring to compare it to the greatness of the Almighty" (Nelson Study Bible, note on verse 20). God is in control, and His aim is to deliver His people—as He surely will, in the proper time as He determines.