Psalm 77

Summary: The psalmist recounts an all-nighter of desperate prayer. He doubts momentarily that God would hear and answer the prayer, then affirms his belief that God will do those things. He remembers just how much power He has over even the sea and storm, and how God has already proven His love.

Response: I've been there, when praying with seemingly no answer gets frustrating. But the psalmist's attitude improves, even without an answer. Instead, it is his perspective that changes. It goes from "I've been suffering so long; how could God ignore me?" to "God has proven Himself time and time again, and I can't wait to see what He has in store for this time!"

Psalm 76

Summary: The psalmist sees God in His dwelling place as a force of peace, breaking weapons and growing His reputation. Still, when He is out and about, God is like a fierce lion, a conquering king, and a righteous judge. The psalm ends recommending that all covenant with such a God.

Response: I'm not sure which side of God I prefer. I have to acknowledge that both exist; God does stay and comfort, which I'm all for, but He also fights battles and casts judgement. And most of the time, it's on my behalf. I'm trying my best as this school year gets started to give God this time. It's literally the least I can do.

Psalm 75

Summary: The psalmist praises God, who goes back and forth and judge and savior. As judge, He clouds the judgement of the wicked and passes down His own. As savior, He keeps the world in order.

Response: Lord, I am often the one full of myself; help me to love humbly. I am often the worry wart; help me to rely on You.

Psalm 74

Summary: The psalmist brings great injustice to God's attention. Enemies are persecuting His people! Through great acts, he reminds God how He tends to make order out of chaos and asks God again to keep it up!

Response: I mean, God does work things in for the good of those who love Him, but my experience is that it rarely looks like order. It looks like having just enough hope to carry on while having to trust God for the rest. God, do what You will; help me to trust You in it all.

Psalm 73

Summary: The psalmist sees the prosperity of the wicked and how God doesn't seem to punish them for it and almost falters in his faith. But he affirms that it is God who guides him and in Whom he trusts.

Response: Normally, I'd be more than happy to talk politics, but my wife just had a girl! So I can start praying that God guide her as He has me; that she sees the world for what it is; and that, each in our own way, we can help to bring heaven on Earth.

Psalm 72

Summary: The psalmist prays fervently for a peaceful and prosperous reign for the new king. He notes that such splendor and abundance as he describes is only possible through God.

Response: I hear it and it sounds like David praying for Solomon. But I wonder if people who saw Jesus as King had this psalm in mind. And yet, He calls us to the work of His Kingdom, helping the oppressed and needy, sharing our personal wealth of time and goods, and praying for one another.

I'm preaching to myself as much as anyone, so that I can better do God's will. It's not always easy for me to submit to that will. I'm very comfortable and, in a way, that scares me, but I have a hard time being inauthentic about my feelings. I want to work through them so I can actually get to a new place instead of pretending for a Sunday. And I'm sorry if this seems like babbling to you.

Psalm 71

Summary: David compares God to a protecting shelter, keeping him safe and his enemies out. Then the usual "I praise You, kill my enemies," etc.

Response: But there is a moment, a glimmer of hope! He asks to be kept alive until he has taught that love of God to the next generation. It doesn't get mentioned again, but I have hope yet for this David guy.