Week 13 Psalm 77
Psalm 77 seems like two psalms to me…
Psalm 77A (1-10) and
Psalm 77B (11-20).
Psalm 77A seems like a Downsider Blues psalm.
Psalm 77B is sunnier.
Asaph sounds like he was down when he wrote 77A : this is my fate, that the blessings of the Most High have changed to hatred. That’s pretty strong language (even though I understand the feeling and I’m reassured he said it).
Of course Asaph doesn’t end with that. He goes right on into 77B with its Remember What the Lord Has Done reminder.
In my bible the space between the end of verse-ten and the beginning of verse-eleven is fractional. I think it’s deceptively fractional. In real life that fractional-looking transition might be Grand Canyon-sized.
I’ve got no problem with Asaph saying the Lord’s past actions can be a helpful management tool when it comes to dealing with my blues. But I think his shift from verse ten to eleven is a bigger one – psychically-emotionally-spiritually – than he lets on.
But I don’t fault Asaph. He can’t say everything.
And if some things are left unsaid I still walk away from 77 with the reminder that being familiar with what the Lord has done has the potential to help me. Reading through familiarizes me. And being familiar can help with the Deep Blues.
Note: quote from Psalm 77:10 (NLT)