Yes, another new Psalm for us to consider. On the Website I mean. After twelve years or so of what averages a Lesson a day! This time, Psalm 77.
For several reasons.
One, because it is authored (under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit) by a man named Asaph. His name in Hebrew means “gatherer.” Or one who “assembles” or “collects” things. Here “nuggets” of Wisdom from God!
Secondly, because the 150 Psalms are so hard to catalogue, to group into families, that Asaph provides a perfect nexus for doing such. He wrote 12 of the Psalms! So a study of the “Asaphian Psalms” can always be in order!
By the way, here they are, in numerical order: Psalm 50. Then in immediate succession Psalms 73 through 83, amazing! All by this one little man. David, as another example, wrote about half the Psalms, 73 by actual count I think.
Thirdly, Asaph often “tackles” a problem in his Psalms. Some “issue” that troubled him. And we get to see how he “solved” the problem. Via spiritual reasoning.
I have previously called him the “philosopher” of the Psalter. We can actually watch him “think” in a God pleasing way!
Well, more next Lesson, the Lord willing.
But it is essential that I at least share with you the Chapter, the whole Poem. It shares some similarities (seems to me) with Habakkuk chapter 3, another great Passage of Scripture. Real Faith Builders, both!
PSALM 77
“I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. 15 Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. 16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. 17 The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. 18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. 19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. 20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.”
With great anticipation!
Dr. Mike Bagwell