Songs for the Darkness
Psalm 77
Randy Brenneise
November 1, 2021

I. Raw Honesty: Personal Reflections (v. 1-9)

1 I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
4 You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah —Psalm 77:1-9

a. Cries of distress (v. 1-3)

Keep

to God in prayer.

b. Searchings of Heart (v. 4-9)

Keep

your emotions with God. (v. 4-6a)

Keep

questions in your confusion. (v. 6b-9)

II. Dependent Trust: Godly Reflections (v. 10-20)

10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron. —Psalm 77:10-20

a. Truth about His work and person

b. An illustration of His work and person

Keep

to trust God.

Why?

God is the Good Shepherd who is walking in the darkness with us!
(Psalm 23:4 and John 10:11)

LEARNING TO LAMENT (SAMPLE)

Movement of Lament: ADDRESS GOD IN PRAYER

(Psalm 77:1) I cry aloud to God, and he will hear me.

My Lament:

Movement of Lament: BRING YOUR COMPLAINT

(Psalm 77:4) You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled I cannot speak.

My Lament:

Movement of Lament: ASK BOLDLY

(Psalm 77:9) Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?

My Lament:

Movement of Lament: CHOOSE TO TRUST

(Psalm 77:11/15/20) I will remember the deeds of the Lord,/You with your arm redeemed your people,/You led your people like a flock.

My Lament:

(adapted from “Dark Clouds Deep Mercy” by Mark Vroegop)