Digging Into Psalm 77 - Questions & Comments Deeply Desired

I have come to dearly love and appreciate the transparency of the Psalmists. I've always loved poetry, and I think of the Psalms as songs and poetry to God. Over the next few days, I'd like it so much if you'd come along with me as we dig  this Psalm out. Remember, with inductive study, we aren't rushing right off to a commentary.  If you'll play along with me, if you'll trust me, I promise that I'll tell you when  the right time to dig into a commentary may be. If you're a colored pencil kinda person, grab them now, and print off a copy of  this blog post.  I'll share with you what words to mark, and goodness...you'll likely share a few  with me too! We're just going to start with 3 verses today. Remember, before you ever open the Word of God, you want to pray and ask  His Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, as the book of John promises us that He will. I shared with the Jehovah's Witness ladies who have been coming to my door,  that I never, ever study my Bible without asking for the leading of the  Spirit of God, because my flesh is weak, and proud, and will lead me astray.... but the Spirit of my Loving God will never do that! Here we go... Psalm 77:1-3 My voice {rises} to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice {rises} to God, and He will hear me.    In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted. {When} I remember God, then I am disturbed; {When} I sigh, then my spirit grows faint.  Selah. I just want you to take this slowly...I want to beg of you to ask some questions of the Word here. Normally, I would start with who wrote the Psalm, and we will do that...but later. For now, ask yourself ... Where was the Psalmist placing his hope? How did he feel about being completely transparent with God? What did he do when trouble came? Can you think of any promises that he might have known regarding what would happen for him when he sought the Lord? How successful was he at "keeping his prayers to himself?" What was his level of confidence that the Lord would care about his audible cries? What type of relationship or understanding of the Person of God must this Psalmist have had, to "put all of his eggs in one basket?" Do you see a contrast in these verses? Why is it important to see that? Ever have something so horrific happen in your life that it kept your focus, like this trouble did for the Psalmist? What was bringing comfort to the psalmist at this point, in these verses? What is he telling us in the last two verses? Has his trouble abated? Has he done all that a good believer should do to get what we want/need from God in a situation like the one the Psalmist was in? Selah has been said to be a pause, or a musical interlude. (That was a freebie, but I really do want you to think through these verses and answer from your heart.) Let's see if we can get an online Precept discussion going! I'll bring the popcorn!  No, I forgot, the kernels get all up in my gums and I look like a cow trying to slop them out. It's gross, I'll save you the pain of seeing it. I'll bring chips & salsa instead. ;) Love you all so! Would BEG you for your prayers as we will soon be looking for a home in Chattanooga. We're praying for a pool, as it helps so much with the MS in the summertime. Candee Sue told me to pray for the home that God has for me...the one He wants me in. I adamantly told her not to over-spiritualize things! I think she snorted something warm out of her nose when I shared that with her. Then she vowed that she would be talking with me more often, after I've taken my night-night meds. I wonder if she's up. They'll be hitting my system soon. :) I love you, Candee Sue. I love YOU too, sweet reader! Now, enough of this love stuff....ya'll have work to do! :) Comments....I need comments!  Big Hugs, Jes

How Will You Respond In the Day of Trouble?

OK, I'm inspired! 


Time to dig back into the Word, folks.


You ready?


Ponder this Psalm with me today...we'll be digging into it together in the next day or two.


I encourage you to really study it. Ask questions. Reason through it. Make your lists.


Let's have a great "discussion" after my next post.


I love you all, and thank you so much for your encouragement to continue to write.


Your comments were precious, just like you are to me!


Jes

Psalm 77

Psa 77:1	My voice {rises} to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice {rises} to God, and He will hear me.
Psa 77:2	In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted.
Psa 77:3	{When} I remember God, then I am disturbed; {When} I sigh, then my spirit grows faint. Selah.
Psa 77:4	You have held my eyelids {open;} I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
Psa 77:5	I have considered the days of old, The years of long ago.
Psa 77:6	I will remember my song in the night; I will meditate with my heart, And my spirit ponders:
Psa 77:7	Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again?
Psa 77:8	Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has {His} promise come to an end forever?
Psa 77:9	Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? Selah.
Psa 77:10	Then I said, "It is my grief, That the right hand of the Most High has changed."
Psa 77:11	I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
Psa 77:12	I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.
Psa 77:13	Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?
Psa 77:14	You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples.
Psa 77:15	You have by Your power redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
Psa 77:16	The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were in anguish; The deeps also trembled.
Psa 77:17	The clouds poured out water; The skies gave forth a sound; Your arrows flashed here and there.
Psa 77:18	The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook.
Psa 77:19	Your way was in the sea And Your paths in the mighty waters, And Your footprints may not be known.
Psa 77:20	You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron. Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Psalms 77 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 2 Feb 2010. < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=77&t=NASB > New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit their website at www.lockman.org.