Psalm 77 From Darkness to Dawn
Who writes a larger amount of inspired text than most minor prophets, his Scriptural writings are longer than those of Peter or James. Yet, there are a lot of religious, Bible-reading folks who have never heard of him. Ps 50,73-83 are attributed to Asaph. This Asaph, whose psalms were written both as an expression of his private thought and as a part of his role in the musical worship of Israel, is a character worthy of study, that we might imitate his example and be admonished by his life (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11).
I. Asaph Had Witnessed the Rise and Fall of Israel
A. 1 Ch. 15:16-17, 19 Asaph, a Levite, appointed to the musical worship of the taber. in glory days of King David
1. 1 Ch. 16:1-7- Returning the ark to Jerusalem was symbol of return of God’s presence to Israel and was a joyous time in Israel’s history 2. 1 Ch. 16:5-7- Asaph given special duties by David, to give “thanks to the Lord” during this celebration
3. 1 Ch, 25:1, 6-7- As David made prep. for building “house of the Lord” & as Solomon took over, Asaph and his sons were appointed to this temple service
a. present at the 1st temple services, 2 Ch. 5:11-14
B. A. would also have witnessed troubles of Israel.
1. His life spanned reigns David & Solomon, he saw...
a. results of David’s polygamous marr. on his family
1) death of child w/Bathsheba, 2 Sam. 12:1-23
2) turmoil among David’s children
a)Amnon/Tamar, Absalom/Amnon 2 Sam. 13
3) civil war from Absalom’s conspiracy,
a)2 Sam. 15:1-13; 18:7-8- 20,000 dead
b. pestilence on Israel after David’s self-glorifying census - 70,000 dead (1 Ch. 21:1-17; 2 Samuel 24:1-17).
c. The ambitious thirst for power in David’s final days between Adonijah and Solomon leading to executions of Adonijah, Joab, Shimei (1 Kgs 1:5-6,16-18,50-53;2:19-46)
C. Whether Asaph’s “cry aloud” to God in Psalm 77 has to do with these events is unclear…but it is clear the time in which he lived had plenty of troubling problems which may have contributed to his feelings, Ps. 77:2-4
1. 77:2- has “trouble”/ “soul refused to be comforted”
2. 77:3 - He is “disturbed” and his “spirit grows faint”
3. 77:4 - He is so “troubled” that he “cannot speak”
4. mentally/spiritually depressed by some sort of trials and, without root, he may not endure spiritually (Matthew 13:20-21; Acts 14:22; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
D. How many have witnessed the highs/lows of life?
1. have seen nation at rest, peace, in most prosperous days and yet fear as they see economy in turmoil, a people who have lost faith and troubled times ahead.
2. Some have enjoyed joys of marriage, excitement of new children, and prosperity of good jobs and even they, are rocked by marriage problems, child-rearing disappointments and workplace woes.
3. Some churches enjoy times of rapid growth, successful leadership and peaceful relations and then problems leading to division, questionable decision-making and conflicts among brethren.
4. How many have faced the spiritual highs of life and also the trials that come with our earthly existence?
E. Let’s learn from the response of Asaph.
II. His First Response Was the Right Response (V. 1-3)
A. In despair, Asaph does not turn to common sources
1. Material things could not cure his spiritual woes a. vacations, shopping, possessions
2. Drugs, alcohol, womanizing no way to forget prob.
3. Human counsel no guar. to spirit. concern Job 13:3-5
B. Asaph’s first response is to God.
1. 77:1 -“My voice rises to God…my voice rises to God”
2. 77:2- “In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out…”
a. Charles Spurgeon “This Psalm has much sadness in it, but we may be sure it will end well, for it begins with prayer, and prayer never has an ill issue”
C. Accounts of men /and women who turned to the Lord in prayer facing trials are too numerous to list—how
do we react to spiritual discouragement and despair?
III. Was Able to Admit His Mental Foolishness, v. 4-10A. The mental state of depression is vividly described…
1. v. 4- sleepless nights and speechless days
2. v. 5- It cannot even find hope in past memories
3. v. 6- finds no joy in former “songs in the night”
4. v. 7-9- It questions the very character of God
a. v.7- Do these trials mean God does not care?
b. v.8- Will God’s “lovingkindness” ever be rekindled
c. v.9- Has God revoked grace and compassion?
5. These are the thoughts, actions of man full of doubt/denial/depression… are as real as they are foolish.
a. foolish to cut off arm b/c it has poison ivy?
b. foolish to cut off head b/c you have a cold?
c. foolish to cut off God b/c life has moments of trial
B. Author has sense enough to recognize it is not God who needs to change but the way Asaph is thinking!
1. V.10 demonstrates thinking no longer fueled by the enemy but by God (2 Tim. 2:23-26; Ephesians 6:10-13).
C. The questions of skeptics may very well bring us down into despair but we need to snap out of it as we consider the God of the Bible.
IV. Recalled History of God’s Dealings With Israel v.11-15
A. Asaph came to his senses as he objectively considered God’s dealings with man throughout history.
1. God is not merely an idea, or a concept
2. Israel’s God acted on behalf of Israel through history
a. 77:11- “deeds” and “wonders” to be remembered
b. 7:12- “work” and “deeds” - Asaph’s “meditation”
c. 77:14- “wonders” and His “strength” were
demonstrably “made known among the peoples”
d. 77:15- By “power” He had “redeemed Thy people”
3. Asaph was honestly considering this evidence and realized He had no right to question the power, steadfast love or grace of God!
Conclusion: Asaph’s trials stemmed from different events than we may see today, but his general reactions to the trials are just as common to man as they were centuries ago. We will experience highs and lows in this life. we may act with despair and our thoughts may not always be sound.
1) We must diligently seek God in prayer for wisdom.
2) We must come to our senses and stop questioning
our Almighty God.
3) We need to realize God’s hand is there leading us
through the storm and trust He is bringing from
darkness of today to the breaking dawn of tomorrow.
Psalm 77 From Darkness to Dawn
Ps 50,73-83 are attributed to Asaph. This Asaph is a character worthy of study, that we might imitate his example and be admonished by his life (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).
I. Asaph Had Witnessed the Rise and Fall of ______
A. 1 Ch. 15:16-17, 19 Asaph, appointed to the ______in glory days of King David
1. 1 Ch. 16:1-7- Returning the ark to Jerusalem was symbol of return of God’s ______
2. 1 Chronicles 16:5-7- Asaph given special duties by ______,
3. 1 Ch, 25:1, 6-7- As David made prep. for building his sons were appointed to this temple service
a. present at the 1st ______services, 2 Chronicles 5:11-14
B. Asaph would also have witnessed troubles of Israel.
1. His life spanned reigns David & Solomon, he saw...
a. results of David’s ______marriage on his family
1) death of ______with Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 12:1-23
2) turmoil among David’s ______, 2 Samuel 13
3) civil war from Absalom’s ______, 2 Samuel 15:1-13; 18:7-8- 20,000 dead
b. ______on Israel after David’s self-glorifying census (1 Ch. 21:1-17; 2 Samuel 24:1-17).
c. The ambitious thirst for ______in David’s final days (1 Kgs 1:5-6,16-18,50-53;2:19-46)
C. It is clear the time in which he lived had plenty of troubling problems, Ps. 77:2-4
1. 77:2- has “trouble”/ “______refused to be comforted”
2. 77:3 - He is “disturbed” and his “______grows faint”
3. 77:4 - He is so “troubled” that he “cannot ______”
4. mentally/spiritually depressed (Matthew 13:20-21; Acts 14:22; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
D. How many have witnessed the highs/lows of life? Let’s learn from the response of Asaph.
II. His First Response Was the ______Response (V. 1-3)
A. In despair, Asaph does not turn to common sources
1. ______things 2. ______, ______, womanizing no way to forget problem
3. ______counsel no guarantee to spiritual concern, Job 13:3-5
B. Asaph’s first response is to God. Psalm 77:1-2
1. How do we react to spiritual discouragement and despair?
III. Asaph Was Able to Admit His Mental ______, v. 4-10
A. The mental state of depression is vividly described…
1. v. 4- 6,. v. 7-9- Depression questions the very character of God
a. v. 7- Do these trials mean God does not care?
b. v. 8- Will God’s “lovingkindness” ever be rekindled
c. v. 9- Has God revoked grace and compassion?
B. Author has sense enough to recognize it is not God who needs to change
1. V.10 demonstrates thinking no longer fueled by the enemy but by God
IV. Asaph Recalled History of God’s Dealings With Israel v.11-15
A. Asaph came to his senses as he considered God’s dealings with man
1. Israel’s God acted on behalf of Israel through history
a. 77:11- “deeds” and “wonders” to be remembered
b. 7:12- “work” and “deeds” - Asaph’s “meditation”
c. 77:14- “wonders” and His “strength” were demonstrably “made known
d. 77:15- By “power” He had “redeemed Thy people”
Conclusion: Asaph’s trials stemmed from different events than we may see today,
1) We must diligently seek God in ______for wisdom.
2) We must come to our senses and stop ______our Almighty God.
3) We need to realize God’s hand is there ______us through the storm