16 July Psalm 77

From despair to peace

The story of the 77th Psalm is a journey from despair to peace.

Psalm 77:1-6(MSG) captures this vividly: "I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens. 2-6 I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn’t heal. When friends said, 'Everything will turn out all right,' I didn’t believe a word they said. I remember God—and shake my head. I bow my head—then wring my hands. I’m awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can’t even say what’s bothering me. I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together."

In these verses, we find a note of desperation. The psalmist is confronted with a deep and serious problem. He cries to God again and again, pouring out his heart in prayer and seeking help. The psalmist is in distress as he tries to think about God, but finds his spirit fainting and himself growing weak. Sleep eludes him; his eyelids refuse to close. All night long, he tosses and turns, plagued by restless anguish and sleeplessness, until he is rendered speechless, unable to even describe his problem to someone else.

In his despair, the psalmist realises that his only hope is God. He reflects on the wondrous works the Lord has done before. This recollection strengthens his faith and reaffirms that God is his sole hope.

Psalm 77:13-15(MSG) echoes this realisation: "O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God! You’re the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do— You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph."

Perhaps you have reached a point where you feel there is no hope left, and no one can help. Remind yourself of what God has done in the past. God has delivered His people from the worst kind of troubles, and He can do the same for you. Just put your trust in God. He will guide you from a place of despair to peace.