A Psalm a Day Keeps Satan Away: Psalm 77
Remembering and Forgetting
Psalm 77
Has G-d changed? “Will the LORD reject forever and never again show favor?” (v. 7) Questions like these (remember, the Bible is a book of questions!) span human existence and explain why the psalms remain so relevant to our modern lives. Our lament (complaint) psalm today follows the “good ol’ days” theme of Psalm 74 that we reflected upon a few days ago.
The psalmist employs a chiastic structure along with a “compare and contrast” word play between remembering and forgetting. To refresh your memory, a chiastic structure is a set of ideas or words set forth in a certain order leading the reader to a central point. The text continues after the main point (within the chiastic structure) with the order of ideas reversed. The net effect is to bring more intense focus on the central point. Here is the chiasm of Psalm 77 playing off the compare and contrast of remembering and forgetting (in my opinion):
In verse 3, the psalmist says, “I remember you, O God, and I groaned.”
In verse 5, the psalmist says, “I remembered my songs in the night.”
In verse 9, the psalmist says, “Has God forgotten to be merciful?”
In verse 11, the psalmist says, “I will remember the deeds of the LORD.”
In verse 11, the psalmist says, “Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”
The accusation is harsh! WE remember G-d, but HE forgets us! The accusation is also ironic, because upon self-examination, the reverse is what is really true. It is we who, over the course of the day and in the heat of the battle, forget G-d. I think the psalmist knows this … but is impatient.
We want G-d to continue to act on our behalf like He has done before. And we want His favor NOW. As mentioned, this psalm is a little bit like “the good ol’ days” lament of Psalm 74. I wrote as our exhortation from Psalm 74 the following:
“It was a nice morning thinking about the “good ol’ days.” Praise G-d for it all. But now is the time to contemplate the “good new days” that lie ahead.”
The act of contemplating the “good new days” requires patience. The Truth is that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
The God who performed miracles, redeemed His people and “led [His] people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron” (v. 20) is the same G-d who will lead you to the “good new days.” We remember those past days of favor. We pray for those days to be repeated. But G-d’s timing is not our timing. Are you patient enough to wait upon the LORD?
Godspeed,
DWach
PS … DJ Revonda offers two videos today: one is a scene from Season 3 of The Chosen as Asaph (the writer of Psalm 77) presents Psalm 77 to King David and his wife; the other is a song from The Sons of Korah based on Psalm 77: 10-15.