Here is a very personal Psalm. It’s a song whose author is known and whose place in history is secure. Do read it before you continue with this article.

The superscription has the details “For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.” So, however personal, this means that Asaph intended thousands of others to benefit from it, and as part of the inspired Scriptures its benefits may flow to us today. Had the superscription simply been ‘A Psalm of Asaph’ there is the possibility that the author was either from the time of King David (around 1,000 BC), or indeed someone of the same name from another period. But this Psalm is written by Asaph to, or for, Jeduthun, the Chief Musician. This man is recorded as one of the three leaders of musical worship appointed by King David, Asaph also being one of the three. According to 1 Chronicles 25:3 , Jeduthun played the harp and had the gift of prophecy, although nothing is known of his prophecies. Interestingly, two of David’s Psalms, 39 and 62, are also addressed “To Jeduthun” in his role as “Chief Musician”, and so were intended for public worship at the Tabernacle. In fact, Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun were the worship leaders at least from the time of the restoration of the Ark of God to the Tabernacle that David had prepared for it in Jerusalem. You can read about this in 1 Chronicles 16, along with the psalm of thanksgiving that David had specially written for that occasion.Asaph - from www.giberthouse.org

Depth of sorrow

However, we know nothing from Scripture about the specific circumstances that caused such distress and desperation to Asaph. As we read the first four verses (Ps 77:1-4) of this song we are left in no doubt as to the depth of his troubles. Did you notice that his prayer must have been audible? He cried with his voice – this was no silent prayer, and one wonders who may have heard it and if so, what on earth they made of it, for it was very loud – the Hebrew word he uses, ‘tsa’aq’, literally means he shrieked! Such was his anguish that he could find no comfort. Even his thoughts about God seemed to disturb him (v.3). The more he pondered his situation the more overwhelmed he became. In fact the word used in Hebrew ‘ataph’ speaks more of being utterly shrouded in darkness – as we might say today, he could see no light at the end of the tunnel!
Following verse 3, the Hebrew word ‘Selah’ appears in most of our English translations. It’s an instruction to the musicians to pause, the singers to be silent, the hearers to consider. It’s as if the author is saying, ‘Hold on! Just think again about what you’ve just heard. Ponder it deeply … don’t move on yet.’ So why not do that just now? … Maybe re-read and meditate on those first three verses for yourselves for a moment.

Questions of God

So full of trouble are these verses that it’s easy to overlook a great truth in verse 1, where Asaph declares, “and he gave ear to me”. What a reason for assurance! God listened! And yet, as the song restarts, Asaph is still in the same condition – even accusing God of causing his sleeplessness (v.4). So deep is his distress he can’t even think what to say. His shrieking has subsided into gloomy silence. He’s completely exhausted, yet sleepless. Maybe you can recognise this yourself … Maybe you too have been so distressed, and maybe even now are in such a condition? But then, in the midst of his anguish, there’s a search for hope. Asaph’s search begins by taking a walk down memory lane. This was no soft-focus sentimental journey, but a fact-finding mission. He remembers the times he has made music in the hours of darkness – his “song in the night” – then continues to hunt, to diligently seek, for yet more encouragement.

He does this by asking deep questions – profound questions about the very nature of God. Notice that by now his focus has shifted dramatically. No longer is he fixated on his troubles, he is turning to God. Notice, too, that his questions indicate that he has experienced something of God before his troubles began:

“Will the Lord no longer be favourable?” (v.7)
“Has the Lord’s mercy ceased?” (v.8a)
“Has the Lord’s promise failed?” (v.8b)
“Has he forgotten to be gracious?” (v.9)

Whilst there is an element of doubt behind the questions, there can be no doubt that Asaph has previously experienced the Lord’s favour in various ways, and that there has also been an expectation that the Lord’s mercy and grace should continue. Deep down, Asaph now knows that he is beginning to find bedrock instead of quicksand. The source of the comfort he just couldn’t find is at hand. And just at this point we find the word, Selah, again. Stop! … ponder! … don’t move on yet! …

Trust in who God is

And then he does – in verse 10: “And I said, ‘This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.’” Ever the realist, Asaph recognises the severity of his plight – “This is my anguish.” He knows full well that here is no light matter to be easily pushed aside – his troubles are substantial and cannot be ignored. But he also recognises that his troubles must be seen in the equally real light of the nature of God himself. What is it that he remembers and meditates upon? “The Most High”, 'El Elyon', the all-powerful only God (v.10), “Yehovah”, the eternal, self-existent One, whose works in creation abound – his “wonders of old” and “all his works”! (v.11-12) Asaph also reminds himself of what he knows of God’s dealings with the nation of Israel – knowledge he has gained from the Scriptures written by Moses. This is the God who demonstrated his power not only among his own people, the Jewish nation, but in doing so, also demonstrated it to the Gentile nations who witnessed their deliverance (e.g. the Egyptians, Amorites and Moabites). (Ps 77:14-15). Asaph also recognises God’s control over natural elements such as clouds, rain, lightning, thunder, seas and earthquakes, as being part of his role in being a shepherd to the people. (Ps 77:16-20) This elemental aspect of God’s sovereignty seems to be sadly lacking in much modern Christian thought and is well worth re-emphasising.

Asaph’s search begins by taking a walk down memory lane. This was no soft-focus sentimental journey, but a fact-finding mission.

So Asaph clearly recognises three major facts which bring him comfort in his present circumstances and hope for the future

• God rescues people from desperate circumstances.
• God has power over natural phenomena.
• God is a trustworthy Shepherd.

The significance for today

The messages for us today are, firstly, that the answer to Asaph’s questions about the nature of God is a resounding No! As the final prophet of Israel records, God says, “I am the Lord. I do not change. Because of this, you sons of Jacob are not destroyed. Yet you have gone away from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.” (Mal 3:6-7) He lovingly awaits those who will turn to him!

Secondly, know that what God has done in the past, he can do again – whether at the personal, congregational or national scale. He is the Lord and he does not change. Expect great things from God!

God’s mercy has not ceased. His promises have not failed. He has not forgotten to be gracious.

Thirdly, it is crucially important for us to remember what God has done – whether as recorded in Scripture or in the living memories of our own, whether personally, or collectively as a fellowship. Or indeed, we can remember what God has done in the history of our nation. Significant examples include the Reformation, our deliverance from the Spanish Armada and Papal dominance, the deliverance of our defeated armies from Dunkirk and the preservation of Britain from Nazism, or the Battles of El Alamein, which not only turned the tide of war in North Africa, but also scotched Himmler’s plan to exterminate the Jews of Palestine and preserved the land for the establishment of Israel. Remember with gratitude, and give God the glory he deserves!

And finally, as we look at the current troubles (as Asaph did), at the appalling state of our communities and our nation, we must search the Scriptures for parallels and solutions (just as Asaph did).

Isaiah chapter 59 is one such parallel. I’m sure that many examples in this passage also mirror what is wrong with Britain today. But note this also: although the situation is dire, God has a remedy. There’s an absolute promise in verse 1, that “the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” He is able to rescue. He is able to hear our prayers. And He wants us to pray!! Verse 16a says, “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.” God looks for intercessors – realists like Asaph who see the troubles, but who turn to the Almighty, pleading for justice and mercy to be demonstrated again. And God will take action, if only we’ll turn to him! Isaiah 59:19 clearly says, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise up standard against him.” In former times, lifting up a standard, a banner, was both a declaration of war and a call to rally the troops. I wonder, will we heed the call of the Lord of Hosts. Will we respond to his call for intercessors? Or are we ‘chocolate soldiers’ who melt away in the heat of battle? God grant that we are not!