LHC Midday Word: PSALM Seventy Seven

For the director of music.

For Jeduthun.

Of Asaph.

A psalm.

I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands,

and I would not be comforted.

I remembered you, God, and I groaned;

I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.

You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak.

I thought about the former days,

the years of long ago;

I remembered my songs in the night.

My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

‘Will the Lord reject for ever?

Will he never show his favour again?

Has his unfailing love vanished for ever?

Has his promise failed for all time?

Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?’

Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal:

the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will consider all your works

and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’

Your ways, God, are holy.

What god is as great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

you display your power among the peoples.

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,

the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you, God,

the waters saw you and writhed;

the very depths were convulsed.

The clouds poured down water,

the heavens resounded with thunder;

your arrows flashed back and forth.

Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,

your lightning lit up the world;

the earth trembled and quaked.

Your path led through the sea,

your way through the mighty waters,

though your footprints were not seen.

You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

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Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

Psalm 77: “mused” (vv.3 & 6)

The Psalmist “mused” (vv.3 & 6), which is not the same thing as being ‘amused’. That is not to say, however, that it’s gloomy to spend time pondering. Musing is reflecting, and so – depending on the focus, can be pleasant and enjoyable.

He writes, “my heart mused and my sprit inquired” (v.6). In earlier verses he wrote of “distress” (v.2) and crying to God “for help” (v.1). This now seems like a calm after the storm, a chance to ponder. Musing is not letting your mind go blank, or a sheer waste of time; it is digesting lessons from life’s battles, and getting answers to our innermost questions.

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READINGS

PSALM 77

Read by Sir David Suchet