PSALM 77 “SONG FOR A DEPRESSED HEART” Songs of the Heart

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PSALM 77 “SONG FOR A DEPRESSED HEART” WRITTEN BY ASAPH Songs of the Heart

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6)

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) Stinkin’ thinkin’ is negative, unproductive thinking that that is contrary to the truth.

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart

I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) The Apostle Paul wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” (2 Corinthians 1:8)

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) II. Dark Questions In The Night (vv 7 -9)

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) II. Dark Questions In The Night (vv 7 -9) (verse 7) “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?” Jeremiah 32:39-41 “I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me…” Psalm 34:17-18 “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) II. Dark Questions In The Night (vv 7 -9) (verse 8) “Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?” “unfailing love” = the Hebrew word “hesed.” Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) II. Dark Questions In The Night (vv 7 -9) (verse 9) “Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” Isaiah 49:14-15 “But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because of the LORD's great love [hesed] we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) II. Dark Questions In The Night (vv 7 -9) III.Comforting Memories (vv 10-20) We need to change our thinking patterns. (verse 10) We need to change our thinking patterns. (verse 10)

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) II. Dark Questions In The Night (vv 7 -9) III.Comforting Memories (vv 10-20) We need to change our thinking patterns. (verse 10) We need to change our thinking patterns. (verse 10) We need to focus on God’s works. (vv 11-12) We need to focus on God’s works. (vv 11-12)

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart I. Troubling Memories (vv 1-6) II. Dark Questions In The Night (vv 7 -9) III.Comforting Memories (vv 10-20) We need to change our thinking patterns. (verse 10) We need to change our thinking patterns. (verse 10) We need to focus on God’s works. (vv 11-12) We need to focus on God’s works. (vv 11-12) We need to focus on God’s character. (vv 13-15) We need to focus on God’s character. (vv 13-15)

Psalm 77 - Song For A Depressed Heart Conclusion Psalm 77 teaches us to: – change our thinking patterns - no more stinkin’ thinkin’ Make sure your thinking is in line with the truth of God’s word. – focus your mind on God’s works - remember the great things that God has already done. – focus your mind on God’s character - remember that God is great and full of hesed (unconditional, unending, loyal love)

Other examples of depressed believers: Character Depressed The Cause Of Depression The Cure For Depression Job Divinely ordained difficulties (Job 1:1-2:13) Seek God and submit to Him (Job 40:3-5; 42:1-6)

Other examples of depressed believers: Character Depressed The Cause Of Depression The Cure For Depression Moses Too much work and responsibility. Moses freed Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus); then had to cope with their disobedience and complaining. (Numbers 11:10-15) The Lord provided Moses with assistant leaders to help him carry the load. (Numbers 11:16- 17)

Other examples of depressed believers: Character Depressed The Cause Of Depression The Cure For Depression Elijah Intense spiritual battle with the prophets of Baal; fatigued, he was depressed by the threats of Jezebel. (1 Kings 18:1-19:4) Lots of rest and nourishment. (1 Kings 19:5-7)

Other examples of depressed believers: Character Depressed The Cause Of Depression The Cure For Depression Jonah Jonah’s disobedience toward God led to discouragement (Jonah 1:1-17) Repentance and renewed obedience brought restoration. (Jonah 2:1-3:3)

Other examples of depressed believers: Character Depressed The Cause Of Depression The Cure For Depression Jeremiah Known as the weeping prophet because of his sorrow over the sin of society. No one listened to his message (Jer. 9:1- 6; 13:17; Lam 3:1- 20) Hope regained by focusing on God’s love, compassion and faithfulness; waiting on God. (Lam. 3:21-26)

Other examples of depressed believers: Character Depressed The Cause Of Depression The Cure For Depression Peter He denied Jesus three times. (Mark 14:66-72) Despondent, Peter dropped out of ministry and returned to fishing. (John 21:3) Peter’s confidence that he could once again be a servant of Jesus was restored by a fresh encounter with Jesus. (John 21:4-19)