Psalm 77 - I cried out to God for help

Psalm 77

This is not a psalm of David, but is a cry for help. There are lots of cries for help psalms, crying out to God for help is normal.

The psalmist was in distress, and “would not be comforted”. The psalmist was experiencing deep anguish, he wondered if God would reject him forever, if God’s promises had failed, had God forgotten to be merciful. We can have all sorts of negative thoughts, God can still handle us. So the psalmist reminds himself of what God has done in the past. God has not forgotten us, He will rescue us,

Psalm 76 - God is renowned

Psalm 76

This psalm of Asaph seems to be a reflection on the greatness of God, and His relationship to Judah. \he is known in Israel, God is meant to be known among His people, and He dwells among them. He defends His people against their enemies. There are no enemies who can stand against the Lord. He alone is to be feared, so there is nothing nor anyone who comes against us whom we should fear. Many people have a problem with the wrath of God, but when everything is brought to a conclusion, people will praise God for His wrath. So the wise man gives his devotion to the Lord.

Psalm 75 - the God who is near

Psalm 75

This is a psalm of Asaph and is a song of praise. God is praised because He is near. God is not a distant God, but one who is near. In Eden He walked in the garden. In Christ He came to dwell amongst us, and He gives His Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

God acts with justice, and he exalts or brings down. If we want justice we should praise and exalt the Lord.z

Psalm 74 - why have you rejected us?

Psalm 74

This is a maskil of Asapha, the psalmist is reflecting on why God seems to have rejected them. He reminds God that they are the nation that \god purchased, and He has purchased us with Christ’s blood. v7 & 8 seem to refer to what the Babylonians did to Jerusalem. Then the psalmist reminds himself what God has done in the past. In mocking God’s people they are mocking God Himself, so He calls on God to arise against the enemies.

Psalm 73 - My feet had almost slipped

Psalm 73

This is a psalm of Asaph, and one where the psalmist is struggling with his faith. It was not a doctrinal error as such, for he begins by declaring that God is good to Israel and all the pure in heart, but then he says his foot had almost slipped. So what was the problem?  He had become envious of the arrogant and the wicked. The godless seemed to have it so easy, even though they plotted evil. They seemed to be free of cares and enjoy prosperity, his efforts to follow the Lord seemed to be a waste of time. Then he starts to come to his senses, realising that he was “senseless and ignorant”. V17 is a key verse, things started to change when he “entered the sanctuary of God”. However we are feeling we should enter the presence of God, we need God to change our hearts. So in the end he says he has made the Lord his refuge. We can go through all sorts of emotions and thoughts, but whatever we are going through we should seek the Lord.

Psalm 72 - Endow the king with justice and righteousness

Psalm 72

This psalm is attributed to Solomon, or rather it says “of Solomon” perhaps meaning it was written about Solomon. Maybe David wrote it expressing his hopes for his son. He wanted Solomon to be endowed with justice and righteousness, if only this was so for our leaders today. He wanted the land to be prosperous. The King was to be a blessing to the nation, the psalmist also asks that many nations bring gifts to him, and that is what actually happened. The king was to help the needy and take pity on the weak. The people were also to pray for him. “Then all nations will be blessed through him, when God’s leader or His people live in obedience to God many others are blessed as well. 

Psalm 71 - I take refuge in the Lord

Psalm 71

There is no indication of who wrote this psalm. However, the psalm begins with a declaration that he has taken refuge in the Lord, and a plea never to be put to shame. He asks God to deliver him in his righteousness. The cross was an act of righteousness. The psalmist has put his hope and faith in the Lord. He knows that his life has been dependent upon the Lord since his birth, indeed since his conception. He then looks to his old age asking God to continue to look after him. 

“I shall always have hope” Whatever our situation we can hope in God