Psalm 77

1. This psalm portrays personal growth. It divides perfectly in half. In verses 1-10, the psalmist (for a reason unknown to the reader) is depressed and even angry at God. However, verses 11-20 show us that he refocuses on God and his words change to a praise hymn. What a dramatic turnaround God can cause in our life!

2. Though the first section deals with a depressed state, the psalmist still knows that God hears him (verse 1). Whenever we are “down,” God wants to know, but we also need to understand that He still hears and cares.

3. Verse 2 indicates that Asaph spent entire nights in prayer to God, so much so that his hands were weary. Kneeling with arms stretched upward was a very common posture for prayer (and still is) among Jews.

4. Verse 3 introduces us to the idea that the psalmist is even angry–or at least frustrated–with God. “When I remember God, then I am disturbed.” While the psalms are personal reflections, they often contain God’s reactions to the thoughts of men. It is interesting that there is no word of Divine rebuke for this feeling Asaph has.

5. Verse 4 describes a place all of us have been to, or will be. Asaph admits to being so upset that he could neither sleep or speak properly. Life sometimes brings us all to a point like this. Asaph took this emotion to God; do I?

6. To try to right himself, the poet thought of olden days and songs, but those thoughts only continued and deepened his depression (verses 5-6).

7. Verses 7-9 ask a series of related questions. All the questions deal with God’s goodness and love. Asaph had known those attributes of God in a personal way before, but now he feels as though God has “forgotten” how to be loving and kind. Asaph feels terribly alone, and it must be that God has also forgotten how to treat him as a loved child.

8. Verse 10 begins the transition, though. In thinking of the previous series of questions, Asaph begins to answer them in his own mind by thinking of what God has done for him previously.

9. In verses 11 and 12, Asaph uses words like “shall” and “will,” seemingly to convince himself to think of what great things God has done. He knew these things, but he had to cause himself to think of how truly great God is. Whenever we are down, we need to take a few moments to reflect on what God has done for us in time past.

10. The remaining verses show a theme that is throughout the psalms. Verses 13-20 contain a long list of things God has done, both in Jewish history and in Asaph’s life. The purpose in this psalm is unique, though, in that the poet is not trying to teach others. Instead, Asaph is reminding himself of what God has done. This long list serves as Asaph’s turning point away from his depressed state and back toward trust in God.