Psalms 77
Psalm 77 is a song by the descendants of Korah, and it clearly shows the psalmist’s heart as he cries out to God for help in deep suffering and despair. Overall, it can be divided into the following structure:
- Verses 1–3: The psalmist cries out to God amid his affliction and honestly lays bare his anguish.
- Verses 4–9: The psalmist confesses that in the sleepless night he tries to remember God’s past love, but his heart is full of doubts and sorrow. He wrestles with whether God has forsaken him forever.
- Verses 10–15: The psalmist turns his thoughts, focusing on recalling God’s great deeds and miracles. He praises God’s actions and all His working throughout history.
- Verses 16–20: He reflects on key deliverance events in Israel’s history—namely, the miracle of the Exodus and the crossing of the Red Sea—and remembers how God led His people.
1verseFor the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm by Asaph. My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, and for him to listen to me.
2verseIn the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted.
3verseI remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah.
4verseYou hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can’t speak.
5verseI have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6verseI remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; my spirit diligently inquires:
7verse“Will the Lord reject us forever? Will he be favorable no more?
8verseHas his loving kindness vanished forever? Does his promise fail for generations?
9verseHas God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?” Selah.
10verseThen I thought, “I will appeal to this: the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11verseI will remember the LORD’s deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old.
12verseI will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings.
13verseYour way, God, is in the sanctuary. What god is great like God?
14verseYou are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples.
15verseYou have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16verseThe waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they writhed. The depths also convulsed.
17verseThe clouds poured out water. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows also flashed around.
18verseThe voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.
19verseYour way was through the sea, your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known.
20verseYou led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The Overall Meaning of Psalm 77
This psalm shows how people experience deep discouragement and despair, and how, even in that, they cry out to God. The psalmist once experienced God’s grace and miracles clearly, but in the present situation of suffering he cannot feel God’s presence, and it troubles him. Yet the psalmist turns his attention from his present suffering to God’s faithful guidance in the past—namely, the events by which the nation of Israel was delivered. Through this, he begins to recover hope. It contains the message that when we remember God’s faithfulness and goodness even in hardship, we gain strength anew.
Meditation Points
- Prayers in suffering: The deep pain and candid cries out to which the psalmist gives voice show that we can also bring our weakness to the LORD.
- God’s history in the past: When we remember and meditate on what God did in the past, we can reflect on the fact that strength is given to overcome our present dark situation.
- A turning point in faith: The psalmist does not remain in his suffering; by turning his gaze toward God, he moves from despair to hope.
Try Applying It to Myself
- When I experience suffering and discouragement, could I take the time to speak honestly to God about it and cry out to Him?
- Let’s look back on the grace and guidance God gave during my past life, and let’s discover clear hope that will help me overcome my present difficulties.
- Let’s make a decision that today will be a time when, trusting in God’s faithfulness, I commit the steps of my life to God’s guidance.
