Explanation: In Psalm 77 the Psalmist, in his distress and doubt in a time of calamity, prays to God for deliverance; and God assures him of his help. Whether this calamity is personal only or whether it refers to the Babylonian Captivity, or to some earlier catastrophe in the time of David (such as the uprising of Absalom), is unclear. It is also unclear whether the author, Asaph, is the Asaph of David's day or a possible later Psalmist of the same name. Today's painting presents us with a contrast between pagan gods and the God of Scripture. In the myth depicted, the goddess Thetis was unable to console her son Achilles, despite her powers as a goddess. But, in today's Psalm, God, for whom nothing is impossible, consoled Asaph in the midst of grief that bordered on despair.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 76. Habakkuk 3. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 77 - #1. Psalm 77 - #2.Psalm 77 - #3. Psalm 77 - #4. Psalm 77 - #5. ]

     Asaph cried out to God; and God heard him. He was troubled day and night; but he remembered God in his trouble; and he complained (or moaned) when his spirit was overwhelmed (1-3). He was sleepless and too overwhelmed to speak. But he encouraged himself to meditate on the song in the night which God gave to him. He made a diligent search, asking if God would cast off forever, if his steadfast love would cease, if his promises had come to an end, if God had forgotten to be gracious, and if he had shut up his compassion in anger (4-9). Then he said that he would appeal to the years which he had spent, as it were, at the right hand of the Most High. He said he would remember the deeds of the LORD, his wonders of old, his holy ways, and his greatness. He continued his words to God, acknowledging that God was holy and that no god was great like Him. He was the God who works wonders, who made them known among his people. He redeemed his people Israel from Egypt (10-15). He parted the Red Sea. He sent rain, thunder, and lightening. He sent the whirlwind; he shook the earth. He made a path through the Red Sea and led his people through it by the hand of Moses and Aaron (16-20).