Studies in Psalms

1
Studies in Psalms

• In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord
• Psalm 77

2
background

• Another psalm of AsaphTo the chief musicianTo
  Jeduthun a musician of the tribe of Levite (1
  Chron. 1641-42, etc.)

3
Crying out to God (1-3)

• Typical psalm opens with a prayer to God.
  Crying out loudly
• He gave ear to meHe will hear me (NASU)

4
Crying out to God (1-3)

• Vs. 2 a day of trouble. Trouble that does not
  seem to go away
• Night and day
• A soul that refuses comfort (cf. Jonah 41, Jer.
  3115, Job, etc.)
• Be careful in such times DONT blame or be
  bitter toward God!

5
Crying out to God (1-3)

• Vs. 2a 3 in that day he turns to the LordHe
  is disturbed and sighs (either at his thoughts of
  his bitter attitude OR his circumstance)

6
HAS GOD FORGOTTEN? (4-9)

• Vs. 4 He cannot sleep for troubles. He doesnt
  know what to say (cf. Rom. 826)

7
HAS GOD FORGOTTEN? (4-9)

• Vs. 5-6 He considers the days of old,
  remembers. Learning from the past cf. Rom.
  154, 1 Cor. 1011, etc.

8
HAS GOD FORGOTTEN? (4-9)

• Vs. 5-6 He considers the days of old,
  remembers.
• Comfort in times of affliction
• Consider Gods goodness to His people
• Remember your past experiences
• Self-examination
• Diligently study Gods word (Spurgeon)

9
HAS GOD FORGOTTEN? (4-9)

• Vs. 7-9 Contemplating Gods goodness
• Will He cast us off forever?
• Will He be favorable no more?
• Has His mercy ceased forever?
• Has His promise failed forever?
• Has God forgotten grace?
• Has He in anger shut up mercies?

No - NEVER! BUT, does Judah deserve Gods
rejection? Who is at fault?
10
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• Vs. 10-15 The greatness of God
• This is my anguish (grief NASU)He
  acknowledges where the problem is with him

11
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• Coming to grips
• Vs. 10 I will remember the years of the right
  hand of the Most High. NOTE YEARS of His rule.
  Consider the big picture!

12
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• Coming to grips
• Vs. 11 Remember His works and wonders. Cf. The
  Red Sea, plagues in Egypt, Mt. Sinai, the Jordan,
  Jericho, Gideon, David Goliath, Elijah, etc.

13
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• Coming to grips
• Vs. 12 I will MEDITATE on all Your work and
  talk of Your deeds. A time of serious
  contemplation (cf. Phil. 48, 1 Tim. 415,
  etc.)He will NEVER forsake Him!

14
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• Coming to grips
• Vs. 13 Your was, O God, is in the sanctuary.
  The meeting place where God is present.Today,
  will we go where God is found? His word, His
  church, His people, His presence (prayer). Psa.
  274, 632, 7317

15
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• Coming to grips
• Vs. 13 There is none greater than Him
• Vs. 14 He has declared His strength.
• Vs. 15 He has redeemed His people!

16
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• Vs. 16-20 - Remembering God in the wilderness.
• Asaph appeals specifically to the Red Sea
  crossing. It was a memorable event (Josh. 210)

17
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• Vs. 19 You way was in the sea. Your
  footsteps were not known (Rom. 1133)
• Vs. 20 Israel was led like a flock by Moses and
  Aaron (through Him)

18
Remembering His deliverance (10-20)

• This psalm ends abruptly.
• Possible transition to next
• In my mind, the psalmist realizes that God IS in
  control and he drifts off to sleep. Everything
  will be fine! (Jas. 513, 1 Pet. 57)

19

• Are you seeking Him?