Psalm 77 – WHEN HURTING
If you have ever read the Psalms through, starting at Psalm 1 and ending at Psalm 150, you have discovered that many Psalms express pain, depression, anger, frustration, and a lot of things that make us “hurt”. Almost every one of these types of Psalms also express trust in God. One such Psalm is this one, written by Asaph. We do not know why Asaph was hurting, but we do know that he was greatly troubled by something that was happening around him or inside him. Let’s see how Asaph responded to his current hurt and how we might do the same.
THE CRY OF THE HURTING – Psalm 77:1-2
Asaph is giving his testimony. He is saying “I cried to God and He heard me.” – Verse 1 – This reminds us that if we have trusted the Lord Jesus as our Savior, even when we are confused, grumpy, devasted or angry, God will hear us. Philippians 4:6-7
In Verse 2 Asaph says that he cried at a time when he was in extreme inner anguish. His soul “refused to be comforted”. Even when we feel there is no hope, we can come to the “God of hope”. Romans 15:13
THE COMPLAINT OF THE HURTING – Psalm 77:3-4
Asaph was brutally honest. He complained when he was totally overwhelmed! – Verse 3
Asaph was so troubled that he couldn’t sleep and so upset that he couldn’t talk about it. If you have had the same thing happen, be assured that many believers have been in the same position before you, and God has not failed them. – Verse 4
THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE HURTING – Psalm 77:5-9
The Lord was beginning to restore Asaph’s hope. He led Asaph to reflect and think things through and ask some tough, but answerable questions. This is something we should also do as we seek help from our God.
Asaph began thinking about the past, when times were much better and the Lord’s faithfulness was evident. Verses 5-6
In Verses 7-9, the Lord is bringing Asaph’s thinking around by asking some tough questions. He was remembering the past and asking if the Lod forsaken him and God’s people. It is always good to remember better times and ask ourselves, “Has the Lord stopped being faithful?” The obvious answer is, “NO!”
THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HURTING – Psalm 77:10-14
With resolve Asaph makes some bold statements.
“I will remember.” – Verses 10-11 – Asaph is saying he will remember God’s faithfulness in the past (Always a good idea for us!).
“I will meditate.” – Asaph would not only remember these events of God’s faithfulness, but he would also, think them through, meditating on the significance of these events. Verse 12
“I will talk of thy doings.” – He would proclaim his thoughts about what God has done, and probably discuss them with other believers. This would give everyone more confidence.
Asaph has come back to assurance, trusting in the Lord to help him. He knows that the best way to find help is in God’s Presence (thy sanctuary). Verse 13
Asaph’s conclusion was that there is no God greater than our Lord and He has declared His Strength among His people before and will do it again! Verses 13-14
CONFIRMATION FOR THE HURTING – Psalm 77:15-20
Asaph reflects on God’s deliverance from Pharoah’s armies at the Red Sea. This confirms that the conclusions he reached in Verses 13-14 were true. God does not fail His people.
Let’s remember this the next time we are hurting!
