Introduction
As a child, I often watched a recurring skit on Hee-Haw in which a group of moonshiners sang,
Gloom, despair, and agony on me.
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery.
If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.
Gloom, despair, and agony on me.
Their performance, complete with exaggerated sobs and expressions of woe over their unfortunate luck in life and love, was intended to be humorous—and it was. But while the skits were funny, despair itself is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly.
I’m not sure that Asaph, the author of Psalm 77, would have found anything humorous about gloom, despair, and agony. Psalm 77 is about those very emotions.
We’re not sure of the context of this Psalm or the reason for Asaph’s despair. However, its inclusion in Book III of the Psalms suggests that it may have been written during the Jewish exile in Babylon. Many scholars believe that the psalms in Book III reflect the experiences and emotions of the Jewish people during the exile. The Israelites were forcibly removed from their homeland, their temple was destroyed, and they faced cultural and spiritual challenges in a foreign land. If this is the context, it may explain Asaph’s despair.
Whatever the case, this psalm offers a unique journey from despair to deliverance—from a “minor key” to a “major key.” In music, a minor key often creates a feeling of sadness or melancholy; it’s somber and reflective. But a major key evokes feelings of happiness and hope; it’s uplifting.
Verses 1–9 of this Psalm are in a minor key, filled with expressions of deep sadness, confusion, and desperation. But then, the tone shifts in vv. 10–20, like changing to a major key. The mood becomes more uplifting as the psalmist recalls God’s past acts of faithfulness.
We all know that despair can descend on us, trapping us in a state of doom, gloom, and agony. But this Psalm teaches us that despair never has the final word.
Psalm 77 underscores the importance of recalling God’s past works as a foundation for trust in His ongoing faithfulness, even when God seems silent or distant. It illustrates the journey from lament to praise, rooted in the assurance of God’s holiness.
The Minor Key of Despair (vv. 1–9)
His First Chord of Despair: Crying in Distress (vv. 1–3)
We often offer trite solutions to those in despair, such as “fake it until you make it,” “try harder,” or simply “pray.” But what happens when these answers fail to bring relief? While I firmly believe in the power of prayer—its effectiveness and necessity—what do we do when prayer seems to fall short?
The psalmist acknowledges this very struggle. In v. 1, he affirms that God will hear him. However, the real question is not whether God hears—He certainly does—but whether God will act to address the despair.
I wish I could say that prayer always works as we hope, but the psalmist offers a different perspective: sometimes it seems ineffective, at least in the way we expect. Asaph, for instance, laments that his soul “refuses to be comforted” (v. 2).This is not obstinance but a rejection of superficial comfort. Asaph does not seek merely a hug; he wants a substantive answer. How deep is his despair? In verse 3, he reveals that remembering God causes him to moan. Typically, recalling God’s goodness strengthens the spirit, but Asaph’s despair is so profound that even memories of God leave him feeling faint.
His Second Chord of Despair: Longing for the Good Ol’ Days (vv. 4–6)
When you are in despair, the nights often feel worse than the days, don’t they? In his sleepless nights, Asaph remembers better days that now seem unreachable. He recalls the songs he once sang at night, which used to bring him comfort but now only add to his restlessness.
Looking back brings him a sense of despair, deepening his despondency rather than relieving it. For most of us, past memories evoke joy and nostalgia. But for Asaph, these memories serve as painful reminders of his current state of despair.
His sleepless nights reflect his inner turmoil and his inability to find peace. He is distressed because what he knows God has done in the past does not align with his present experience—his theology is clashing with reality. This disconnect causes him to groan. He knows God as a deliverer and a helper who works wonders—this is what God has done in the past. Yet his present situation seems to contradict this understanding.
In v. 4, he even blames God: “You have kept me from closing my eyes; you are the one who keeps me from resting.” He confesses that he is so troubled he cannot even speak. The Hebrew word for “troubled” conveys a sense of being thrust, impelled, pushed, or beaten persistently. Have you ever felt this way?
His Third Chord of Despair: Questioning God’s Goodness (vv. 7–9)
Overwhelmed and perplexed, Asaph reaches a breaking point, his confusion and sorrow spilling over into a series of rapid-fire rhetorical questions directed at God:
- Will the Lord reject us forever?
- Will He never show His favor again?
- Has His unfailing love vanished forever?
- Has His promise failed?
- Has God forgotten to be merciful?
- Has He, in anger, withheld His compassion?
These are not casual inquiries but raw, honest expressions of a heart in distress. Each question cuts to the core of Asaph’s despair, revealing the intense spiritual crisis he is experiencing. These are not abstract theological doubts but deeply personal struggles that reflect his sense of abandonment and profound sorrow.
We know the answers to these questions: God has not forgotten His people, His covenant love is eternal, His promises are sure, and His mercy and compassion are unending. Yet, when you’re deep in despair—when you’re engulfed in gloom, despair, and agony—these truths can feel distant and almost unreachable.
In moments of despair, the answers we know intellectually can seem far from our hearts.
In such moments, the answers we know intellectually can seem far from our hearts. We may acknowledge God’s goodness and faithfulness, but in the midst of despair, feeling those truths can be incredibly challenging.
Can any of you relate to these feelings? We’ve all experienced times when we’ve followed the spiritual guidelines: prayed faithfully, sought God earnestly, and maintained our faith, yet relief seemed out of reach. Perhaps you have prayed for healing or a breakthrough, only to face God’s silence or a delayed response, leaving you in a painful gap between your cries and divine comfort.
Asaph’s journey reflects our own struggles with faith and divine silence. Yet, this is where the depth of faith is tested—not in the absence of questions but in the willingness to bring those questions before God, as Asaph did. True faith does not shy away from uncertainty or discomfort; it acknowledges these challenges and, in an act of trust, presents them to God. This is not a sign of weak faith but of a faith that is authentic, resilient, and deeply rooted in a relationship with God. This brings us to the second major section of the Psalm:
Major Key: Deliverance (vv. 10–20)
His First Chord of Deliverance: Remembrance and Faith (vv. 10–12)
In most psalms of lament, there are turning points—a shift from despair to hope, a transition from a minor key to a major one. We see this change in v. 11: “I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember your wonders of old.” There is something profoundly powerful about remembering. When our present circumstances are bleak, recalling God’s past faithfulness can serve as a strong anchor for our souls.
Asaph intentionally shifts his focus from his current despair to the past deeds of the Lord. The Hebrew word for “remember” here doesn’t just mean to recall mentally; it means to act upon that remembrance. It’s not just thinking back but letting that memory shape your present reality. By choosing to remember God’s mighty acts, Asaph begins to move from despair to hope, from doubt to trust. His decision to remember and meditate on God’s wonders marks the turning point in his emotional and spiritual journey.
The significance of this decision cannot be overstated. In moments of despair, our natural inclination is to focus on our problems, which can magnify our difficulties. However, by shifting his attention to God’s past faithfulness, Asaph reminds himself—and us—of the larger perspective.
His Second Chord of Deliverance: Worship and Adoration (vv. 13–15)
Verses 13–15 focus on the character of God. Asaph recalls God’s holiness and greatness: “Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders.” God’s holiness is a central theme here—His ways are unlike ours, and His holiness sets Him apart from our understanding. This recognition of God’s holiness leads to an acknowledgment of His power. Asaph reminds himself that this holy God, whose ways are beyond our comprehension, is also the God who performs wonders.
Asaph declares that God “redeemed” His people, a covenant term recalling the Exodus when God delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt. This redemption showcases God’s holiness—He is a God who delivers, bringing His people out of despair and bondage.
Asaph transitions from questioning God’s goodness to proclaiming it. He moves from doubt to trust and from despair to worship. This shift is not merely emotional but theological—Asaph’s understanding of God deepens as he reflects on God’s character and works.
His Third Chord of Deliverance: Victory and Assurance (vv. 16–20)
Asaph concludes the Psalm by recalling one of Israel’s most significant events: the Exodus. He describes how God delivered Israel from Egypt and led them through the Red Sea with vivid imagery in vv. 16–20: the waters saw God and trembled, the depths quaked, the clouds poured out water, and the earth shook. These images highlight God’s power and majesty over the natural elements.
Yet, this passage reveals more than just divine power. The Exodus represents the pinnacle of God’s covenantal faithfulness to Israel. By bringing this event to mind, Asaph reminds himself of God’s ultimate deliverance, even when His presence was not overtly visible. The Psalm ends on a note of quiet confidence in God’s shepherding care: “You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” The same God who guided Israel through the Red Sea is the God who will lead us through our own trials.
Conclusion
In a minor key, Psalm 77 begins with deep despair, questioning, and confusion. But as the psalmist remembers God’s past acts of deliverance, the tone shifts to a major key of hope, faith, and worship. The journey from despair to deliverance in this psalm mirrors our own spiritual journeys. It teaches us that it’s okay to bring our questions and doubts to God, and that the way out of despair is often through the discipline of remembering God’s faithfulness in the past.
So, what should we take away from this psalm? When you find yourself in the pit of despair—when your prayers seem to go unanswered, when you feel like God has forgotten you—remember this: Despair does not have the final word. The God who delivered Israel, who raised Jesus from the dead, is the same God who will bring you from the minor key of despair to the major key of deliverance.
