Psalms 77:1-20

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and He gave ear unto me.

The faculty of human thought

The whole psalm may be used to illustrate the faculty of human thought. Throughout the whole the author speaks of “remembering, considering, musing,” making “diligent search,” meditating, etc, etc.

I. It is a power that can inflame the soul with longings for God (Psalms 77:1). By thought this man brought the Eternal into his soul, even in the stillness and darkness of night. It presented Him as an Object to whom he appealed in his distress, and from whom he received relief.

II. It has power to fill the soul with mingled emotions.

1. Here is sadness (Psalms 77:2). The writer says, “his soul refused to be comforted,” “he was troubled,” “overwhelmed,” so “troubled that he could neither sleep nor speak,” so troubled that he cries out, “Will God cast off for ever? and will He be favourable no more?” What sinful man can think upon God without being troubled with remorse and troubled with forebodings? Thought can lash the soul into a tempest, can kindle it into a hell.

2. Here is joy (Psalms 77:10). “And I said, this is my infirmity;” or rather, my hope.

(1) The joy of gratitude. “I remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” Thoughts upon the past mercies of God have a power to kindle the soul into raptures of gratitude.

(2) Joy of adoration. “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary;” or, Thy way is holy. The holiness of God is suited to inspire us with holy rapture.

(3) Joy of trustfulness. “Thou art the God that doest wonders.” The psalmist remembers what God had done in conducting the children of Israel through the Red Sea into the promised land; and this inspired and exalted him with new hope. Thus, thought can fill the soul either with sadness or with joy. It createst the weather within--cloudy or sunny, stormy or calm; the seasons within--spring, summer, autumn, or winter. What a wonderful faculty is this with which Heaven has endowed us, this faculty of thought.

III. It is a power over which man has a personal control. The psalmist speaks of himself as directing his own thoughts. “I sought, I remembered, I considered.” This power over thought is the dignity of our nature, and is that which invests us with responsibility. Man has no direct power over any faculty but this. He has no immediate control over his feelings or faiths. He could no more awaken love or produce repentance by a direct effort, than he could create a world. He can think or not think--think upon this subject or that, in this aspect or another, consecutively or desultorily, profoundly or superficially. This he can do; and herein is his freedom. (Homilist.)

God’s ear open to the cry of the needy

A cheque without a signature at the bottom is nothing but a worthless piece of paper. The stroke of a pen confers on it all its value. The prayer of a poor child of Adam is a feeble thing in itself, but once endorsed by the hand of the Lord Jesus, it availeth much. There was an officer in the city of Rome who was appointed to have his doors always open, in order to receive any Roman citizen who applied to him for help. Just so the ear of the Lord Jesus is ever open to the cry of all who want mercy and grace. It is His office to help them. (J. C. Ryle.)