Chapter 77
2023 - In the first verses, especially 4-9, Asaph describes the times in which he lives. A time when it seems that God has just quit and entirely abandoned his people. God seems to be so far away that he may never return - as if he has gone forever. This verse:
7 "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? [Psa 77:7 ESV]. So far, there is nothing that I would label prophecy, but a time this bad, in Israel...when could that be?
Asaph feels abandoned by God, as if God is gone and never coming back.
2025 - When exactly did Asaph live? He seems to have gone through a lot of really bad times in Israel, I assume in Jerusalem. It seems to have been an extended period of hardship in Israel, as God was not blessing. It doesn't seem that he was punishing either...more like he was just letting them go their own way, and they were choosing a culture of evil and a priority on self-serving. When was this?
2025 - Here is what Perplexity says about him:
"Asaph was a prominent Levite priest and chief worship leader during the time of King David. He served through David's reign, into Solomon's reign, and even into the early reign of Rehoboam, making his period of activity roughly around 1000 BC to shortly after Solomon's time. He is credited with authoring many Psalms primarily found in Book 3 of Psalms (Psalms 73-83), with some Psalms attributed to his descendants or guild.
Asaph was known not just as a psalmist but also as a seer or prophet involved in temple music and worship leading. He likely composed much of the music for David's psalms and founded a guild or family tradition of temple singers (the Asaphites), who continued his legacy and musical duties into later generations, including post-exilic times.
The Psalms attributed to Asaph often reflect themes of worship, God's sovereignty, struggles with doubt and injustice, and the faithfulness of God even in difficult times. He witnessed both the glory and challenges faced by Israel during David's monarchy and beyond."
2021 - When did Asaph write these Psalms? This is two now - the other about destruction of the temple - where things all around him seemed to be going terribly. This does not sound at all like Solomon's time. Could it have been when David fled the city from Absalom? It doesn't really read that way. It reads like the time before the north fell, or the time before Babylon. It doesn't really read like the time before 70 AD. We just really don't know "when" or "which" Asaph this is about.
So he meditates instead on what God has done in the past. God's miracles for his people, and his way with them.
2023 - Instead of looking at now, which is dismal, Asaph reminds himself of the greatness of God. He talks about thunder and lightning as being "signs" of God. Then we get this verse:
19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. [Psa 77:19 ESV]. Now the obvious reference is the crossing of the Red Sea. God opened the way but he did not "walk" before them. Even so, looking at the next verse, God "led your people like a flock" - which I suspect is done from the front. He references Aaron and Moses also, which again points to the Red Sea crossing. Even so, this, coupled with the references to sea monsters and to Leviathan, has to make you wonder a bit.
2025 - In the MSB notes, JM makes a similar observation. He calls this a cure for depression. When all around us falling apart, we can remember what God has done in the past. His miracles, his lifting us up, his protection through hard times and difficult situations.
I would say also, though not from this Psalm, that turning your attention to relieving the pain and suffering of others is also a good cure for depression.
2025 - Look at 18-19 together:
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. [Psa 77:18-19 ESV]. Consider this in light of the way Perplexity defined the sea in the context of the first beast in Revelation 13. Chaos, tumult, and trouble.
So God works in the midst of chaos, and his works are not comprehensible to us, nor can we through expert investigation discover his work - his footsteps through the tempest - because in water there are no tracks. We all live in the chaos of our times. Sometimes we cannot see the specifics of what God is doing nor can we understand his overall theme - whether wrath, punishment, correction, or direction. But we still know he is there!
2023 - So this one does not seem to be about prophecy at all, but about remembering God's greatness - keeping faith strong - even when He seems far away.
Possible FB post with Psa 77:9-11 or 12. When he is not in the present, and you doubt the future, look to the past and remember what God has done. Remind yourself of past blessings.