One writer calls Psalm 77 a “transcript” of a Christian’s life experiences. The “ups” and “downs” of a Believer’s life! And verse 1 begins on the mountaintop!

“I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.”

I say verse 1, yet it follows the Psalm’s “superscript.” Where the most unusual word is the noun, proper noun, “Jeduthun.” Who is this person? “Apparently a Levite of the family of Merari and the chief of one of the three choirs of the temple. His descendants also formed one of the perpetual temple choirs. Furthermore, he is named at the beginning of three Psalms, those being Psalms 39, 62, and 77. Where he is perhaps either the composer (at times) or the recipient of those Psalms … but most likely the leader of the choir by which those Psalms were to be sung.

In fact, here’s the entire superscript itself: “To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph.” The name Jeduthun  means “praise” or “praising one.”

So Psalm 77 is cataloged as such, “A Hymn of Praise.” But it does contain other elements, as we shall see. It consists of mixed genres, one might rightly claim.

Meanwhile, back to verse 1. “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.”  This is as clear a declaration of answered prayer as ever has been written!

The verb “cried” is “tzsaaq” in Hebrew, unusual. Only found 55 times in the entire Old Testament (929 chapters), the verb means “to call for help.” But two or three times it also carries the meaning of “gathering together” a group, maybe for prayer! It can too mean “to cry out loud when in distress or need.”

That he is praying audibly is obvious, “with my voice.” The noun “kol” means “sound” or “thunder” as well as one’s own “voice.”

And then God … “gave ear!”

The verb “azan” means “listened, hearkened, perceived,” but also “responded, was obedient!” Nearly shocking!

God doing what the Psalmist has sincerely asked!

Again this reminds me of what our Lord commanded in Isaiah 45:11. “Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and CONCERNING THE WORK OF MY HANDS COMMAND YE ME.” 

Wow!

Asaph did so.

And God kept His Word!

It is an overall Bible Truth … God does hear and answer prayer.

Enjoy that privilege today … in your life … friend!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell