Psalm 77
A Psalm of Asaph to Remember God’s Greatness in Times of Grief
The title of this psalm (A Psalm of Asaph) tells us that it was written by the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era (1 Chronicles 15:17-19, 16:5-7, 25:6). - David Guzik
1 Chronicles 25:1 - David and the officers of the army also set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who were to prophesy accompanied by lyres, harps, and cymbals.
Asaph described himself as tossing and turning on his bed, unable to sleep, in this individual lament psalm. He found that meditating on God’s deliverance of His people in the Exodus brought him comfort. This led him to ask God to manifest His power for His people again. - Thomas Constable
In Psalm 77, Asaph did not describe the details of his crisis but focused, rather, on his response to it. His soul was distressed and despairing, his lyrics honest and vulnerable. But even as he questioned God’s timing, he chose to remember His faithfulness. Even as he feared, he chose to have faith.
Has God Forgotten to Be Gracious?
I Cry Aloud to God
Vs. 1-2 - I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. I sought the Lord in my day of trouble.
The psalms of David and Asaph teach us that “there is no virtue in silent suffering.” (Tim Mackie) In their pain, they prayed for peace.
Groaning And Grieving
Vs. 3 - I think of God; I groan; I meditate; my spirit becomes weak
Vs. 4 - You have kept me from closing my eyes
Vs. 10 - So I say, I am grieved that the right hand of the Most High has changed.
Whatever trouble Asaph faced was torturing him at all hours of the day and night, robbing him of rest. His body groaned, and His soul grieved as He cried out to God.
Sorrow, like a beast of prey, devours at night; and every sad heart knows how eyelids, however wearied, refuse to close upon as wearied eyes, which gaze wide opened into the blackness and see dreadful things there. This man felt as if God’s finger was pushing up his lids and forcing him to stare out into the night. - Maclaren
Questions and Doubts
Vs. 7-9 - Will the Lord reject forever and never again show favor? Has his faithful love ceased forever? Is his promise at an end for all generations? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?
Asaph said the “quiet things” out loud in this psalm. He recorded in the songbook of Israel what many followers of God would struggle to say to a close friend. He admitted his raw confusion and unpolished frustration, honestly expressing it in prayer.
Closed His Womb
Vs. 9 - Has he in anger withheld his compassion?
“Compassion” derives from the Hebrew root meaning “womb,” suggesting a filial relationship that parallels “faithful love” in verse 8. A literal rendering of the Hebrew text reads, “has he (God) closed up his womb in anger,” a figurative expression denoting the absence of parental love and concern for offspring. - Kevin R. Warstler and Sheri L. Klouda
What god Is Great Like God?
I Will Remember
Vs. 11-13 - I will remember the Lord’s works; yes, I will remember your ancient wonders. I will reflect on all you have done and meditate on your actions. God, your way is holy. What god is great like God?
Asaph pivoted here and made the decision to recall God’s character and faithful love to His people in the past. He still feared, but he chose to have faith. In his tears, he chose to trust.
The whole history of Israel is proof of God’s love and power. Events of particular note are Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea and God’s coming to his people at Mount Sinai. These events are an encouragement to Asaph. He knows that the God who guided Moses and Aaron is still the shepherd of his people. - Don Fleming
In his crisis of faith, Asaph reminded himself how, repeatedly through history, those who hope in God have had to hope against hope (Romans 4:18) that God would keep his promises despite circumstances appearing hopeless. If we read Asaph’s psalms (Psalms 73–83), we’ll see how many times he had to remember God’s faithfulness in the past to keep his faith in God’s promised future grace from failing in the present — or in his words, to keep his foot from slipping (Psalm 73:2).
Like Asaph, our horrible moment might make it appear like God isn’t being or won’t be faithful to his promises, fueling sleepless nights of anxious praying and pondering. Like Asaph, we can pour out our heart to God with profound candor during such a moment. Like Asaph, we can remember God’s faithfulness in the past to keep our faith in God’s future grace from failing in the present.
And like Asaph, we might not quickly receive the comfort we long for, but we fight for it with all our might. - Jon Bloom, My Soul Refuses to Be Comforted
Your Footprints Were Unseen
Vs. 19 - Your way went through the sea and your path through the vast water, but your footprints were unseen.
As he recalled the way that Israel had been guided and protected by God as they passed through the parted waters of the Red Sea, Asaph described God’s footprints as “unseen.” The people could not see Him walking beside them, but He was there all the time, providing and protecting in each moment of peril.
The message of this psalm is that to brood on sorrow is to be broken and disheartened, while to see God is to sing on the darkest day. Once we come to know that our years are of His right hand, there is light everywhere. - G. Campbell Morgan
