Days of “trouble” should be days of “prayer” as well!

Psalm 77:2 testifies: “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.” Written by Asaph, to be sung by the Israelites as they worshipped God!

The noun “trouble” is “tzsrah,” meaning a time of “pressure, distress,” literally a “tight, narrow place.” Squeezed from all sides!

To “seek” the Lord means “to search” so diligently that one “requires” His Presence! “Darash” is the Hebrew verb.

The Psalmist too is battling some kind of sickness. Whether from a wound or a physical issue … he is “draining” some sort of liquid. “My sore ran in the night, and ceased not.” Then again the noun “sore” is “yad” in Hebrew, elsewhere in the Bible translated “hand” (1359 times). The indication here is that the Psalmist was “crying” so much, wiping his eyes with his “hand” … that hours and hours of relentless sobbing were his experience.

And things are so bad … whatever the problem … that the man here, his soul, “refuses to be comforted!” The verb “refused” (spelled “maen”) is a Piel in Hebrew, intensive action being involved. Very emotional! “Comforted” is the word “nacham,” also translated “repented” 41 times in the Old Testament.

Whereas David once comforted himself … Asaph refuses all attempts at comfort! Self-imposed pity! (“David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1st Samuel 30:6)

What a terrible condition, sores and sobs!

Yet what an admirable thing to do … seeking the Lord!

“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.”

I am so glad Psalm 77 has a 3rd verse … which we shall notice tomorrow, the Lord willing!

Yes, things do improve! For the Believer in the Lord, “For his (God’s) anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell