In this study, we looked at Psalm 77, a psalm of Asaph, a leader of worship and music for King David, at the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. (See 1 Chronicles 16:37,41,42, for example.) Though Asaph was a worship leader for God’s people, he still had trouble and difficult times, as we all do. We do not know just what his trouble (v.2) was, as he writes this psalm, but it is bothering him very much (v.1-4). He cannot sleep, and he cries out to God, but he does not seem to get help or comfort. His s...
In this study, we looked at Psalm 77, a psalm of Asaph, a leader of worship and music for King David, at the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. (See 1 Chronicles 16:37,41,42, for example.) Though Asaph was a worship leader for God’s people, he still had trouble and difficult times, as we all do. We do not know just what his trouble (v.2) was, as he writes this psalm, but it is bothering him very much (v.1-4). He cannot sleep, and he cries out to God, but he does not seem to get help or comfort. His spirit is discouraged and he moans and he can hardly speak to God.
He wishes he could remember songs and psalms he has used in the past (v.5-6), but his mind keeps going to questions about whether God has forgotten him and does not love him anymore (v.7-9). Asaph is describing real struggles that all of us go through, when times are very difficult, and our prayers don’t seem to be answered, at least as we wish and think is right. Where is God and His love?
Asaph has not lost his faith, but he is very troubled. Finally, with the Lord’s help, he knows what he needs to do (v.10-15). He needs to turn to God’s Word and be reminded that God has been faithful in the past, with His great deeds and wonders, and He will surely help us again, even if we have to wait and wait upon Him.
Asaph remembers especially God’s great rescue of His people from slavery in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness, as they traveled to the promised land. He seems to quote, in verse 13, from Exodus 15:13, when Moses and the people sang their own song of praise to God, when all seemed to be lost, and God opened up the Red Sea for them and rescued them, at last. Moses sang, “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” (Remember, by the way, that Scripture interprets Scripture for us. Moses did not mean that other gods are real. People sadly sometimes believe in many gods and goddesses, but they are not real. There is only one real and true God. See Psalm 96:4-5 and Deuteronomy 4:35 and 5:& and 6:4 and so many other Scriptures.) Moses, inspired by God, had told the people, in their time of great danger, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you.” (Exodus 14:13)
Asaph remembers the Scriptures and describes in a very poetic way, God’s mighty work at the Red Sea, when the waters fled away and the people walked on dry land, and when God appeared to them at Mt. Sinai in power and majesty, with thunder and lightning, and continued to lead His flock, His people (Psalm 77:16-20). Asaph describes this as God’s “redeeming“ His people (v.16) - and giving them hope and new life, just when they needed help. Surely God will help him, too, Asaph is concluding, as he meditates on God’s Word about the past.
That is God’s promise for us, too, as we meditate on His Word, still today. All that Asaph describes is pointing forward to the great redemption by Jesus, as He rescued us from our sins and earned for us the gift of eternal life, as described in the New Testament (1 Peter 1:18-21 and Galatians 3:10-14, especially v.13, and many other Scriptures). Jesus showed that He was God, able to do this, also by being able to control the wind and waves of the sea and even walking on water. (See Psalm 77:16,19 and Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 4:35-41, etc.) The New Testament too, promises comfort and strength for us, also, when we try not to focus on ourselves and our troubles, but cast our cares upon the Lord and trust Him to help us in His own good time (1 Peter 5:6-11), even though Satan tempts us to give up on God. Thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)!
