From Despair to Deliverance: A Journey Through Cry, Confidence, and Covenant

Be God's Glory
Jun 11
11 min read

Welcome to Day 162 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Psalms. Psalms 74–77 take the reader on a profound emotional and spiritual journey, moving from deep lament over national devastation to renewed hope in God's sovereignty and faithfulness. These psalms, many attributed to Asaph or his descendants, reflect moments of crisis in Israel's history—particularly times of invasion, oppression, and apparent silence from God. Yet even in despair, the psalmists wrestle with their pain by remembering God's mighty deeds, His judgment over the wicked, and His faithfulness to His people in the past. Each chapter contrasts human anguish with divine power, encouraging believers to shift their focus from present troubles to the character and promises of God. The progression reveals a spiritual rhythm of crying out, reflecting on God's past wonders, and trusting in His ultimate deliverance.

Psalm 74 is a national lament attributed to Asaph, voicing the anguish of God's people over the destruction of the sanctuary—likely referencing the Babylonian invasion. The psalm begins with a heart-wrenching question: “Why have you rejected us forever, O God?” The temple, once a symbol of God’s presence, has been defiled and reduced to ruins by enemies who mocked and profaned it. The psalmist struggles with God’s apparent silence and pleads for Him to remember His covenant with Israel. Despite the sorrow, the psalm turns to a declaration of God’s past power over creation, recalling His triumph over chaos and enemies. The writer ends by appealing to God’s justice and faithfulness, asking Him to rise up and defend His cause.

Psalm 75 is a psalm of thanksgiving and confidence in God’s just rule, likely written in response to a time of political uncertainty or enemy threat. It opens with gratitude: “We give thanks to You, O God, for Your Name is near,” expressing assurance in God's active presence. The psalm shifts to God's declaration that He will judge uprightly and warns the wicked not to be arrogant or boastful. Using symbolic language, it describes God's judgment as a cup of wine that the wicked must drink to the dregs. The righteous, on the other hand, are promised that their “horns” (symbolizing strength and honor) will be exalted. This psalm emphasizes that it is God—not human leaders—who determines the rise and fall of nations.

Psalm 76 celebrates God's power as a divine warrior who defends His people and brings fear to the proud. It is set in Jerusalem (Zion), where God is said to have broken the weapons of war and silenced the enemy. The psalmist declares that God is “more majestic than the mountains full of prey,” emphasizing His superiority over all earthly powers. Even the fiercest enemies are paralyzed before Him, and the earth stands in awe at His rebuke. The psalm also calls people to make vows and bring tribute to the Lord, recognizing His authority over kings and nations. This psalm reassures God’s people that He will act in judgment to protect the humble and punish the wicked.

Psalm 77 is a deeply personal lament that begins with the psalmist crying out to God in distress, unable to find comfort or sleep. The writer questions God’s mercy, love, and faithfulness, feeling forgotten and rejected. However, the psalm makes a powerful turn when the writer chooses to remember God’s past wonders and mighty deeds, especially His miraculous deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea. This shift from despair to remembrance provides spiritual grounding, as the psalmist affirms that God's ways, though mysterious, are holy and filled with purpose. The psalm ends by portraying God as the shepherd who led His people through Moses and Aaron, reminding readers that even in silence, God is still guiding His people.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name "Psalms" comes from the Greek word Psalmoi, which means "songs" or "melodies." This term was used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. In Hebrew, the book is called "Tehillim", meaning “Praises.” Though many of the Psalms are laments or cries for help, the overarching theme is one of worship, adoration, and praise to God. The name reflects the book’s purpose as a collection of poetic songs meant to be sung or recited as expressions of worship and relationship with God.

Purpose of the Book:

The primary purpose of the Book of Psalms is to provide a rich devotional and liturgical guide for God’s people. It gives voice to the full range of human emotion—joy, sorrow, gratitude, confusion, repentance, and hope—and models how to bring those emotions to God in prayer and praise. Psalms teaches believers how to worship, how to lament, and how to trust in God in every season of life. It also contains prophetic elements pointing to the coming Messiah and affirms God's faithfulness, justice, and covenant with His people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 individual psalms written by multiple authors over many centuries. The most well-known contributor is King David, to whom 73 psalms are directly attributed (e.g., Psalm 3, 23, 51). David is referred to as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” in 2 Samuel 23:1, confirming his significant role. Other contributors include:

Asaph (Psalms 50, 73–83) – a Levitical choir leader (see 1 Chronicles 6:39 and 2 Chronicles 29:30).
The Sons of Korah (Psalms 42–49, 84–85, 87–88) – descendants of a Levitical family assigned to temple worship (1 Chronicles 9:19, 2 Chronicles 20:19).
Solomon (Psalms 72 and 127) – David’s son and successor.
Moses (Psalm 90) – one of the oldest psalms; supports Mosaic authorship (see Deuteronomy 31:22, where Moses is said to write songs).
Heman the Ezrahite (Psalm 88) and Ethan the Ezrahite (Psalm 89) – associated with wisdom and temple service (1 Kings 4:31, 1 Chronicles 15:17–19).

Some Psalms are anonymous, yet they align with themes and styles used by these known authors. Historical Jewish tradition and early church writings, such as those by Origen and Jerome, also affirm the Davidic authorship of many psalms.

Key People:

God (Yahweh) – the central figure, described as Creator, Deliverer, Shepherd, King, and Judge.
David – both author and subject in many psalms, especially as a representative of the Messianic king.
The Messiah – referenced prophetically (e.g., Psalm 2, 22, 110) and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as confirmed in the New Testament (Acts 2:25–36, Hebrews 1:5).
Enemies of Israel – including surrounding nations and personal adversaries, used to contrast God’s protection and judgment.
The righteous and the wicked – recurring symbolic characters representing those who follow God’s law versus those who rebel.

Conclusion

The Book of Psalms is a spiritual treasure chest that has shaped worship, theology, and prayer for thousands of years. With its vivid language, raw emotion, and deep faith, it connects head and heart, doctrine and devotion. It offers comfort in suffering, strength in trials, and joy in worship. Whether used in personal reflection, congregational worship, or prophetic meditation, Psalms continues to speak to every believer’s walk with God. Ultimately, it points to the greatness of God and His eternal plan of redemption through the Anointed One—Jesus Christ.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In Psalm 74, God is depicted as a covenant-keeping, sovereign Creator who has power over nature and history. Though His silence in the midst of devastation feels painful to the psalmist, God is still portrayed as strong, just, and faithful to His promises. He is the One who divided the sea, crushed sea monsters (symbolizing chaos), and established day and night. His character shows that even in times of national despair, He remains in control and worthy of trust. The psalmist clings to God’s past works as evidence of His ability and willingness to deliver.

While Psalm 74 does not explicitly mention distinct Hebrew names like El Shaddai or Yahweh Yireh, it repeatedly uses the name Elohim (God) to emphasize His supreme power as Creator and Judge. The psalm teaches us that in seasons of destruction or silence, we are called to remember God’s covenant and past faithfulness. The lesson here is to bring our lament honestly before God while anchoring our hope in His unchanging nature and proven power.

God is revealed in Psalm 75 as a righteous Judge who governs with perfect timing and absolute authority. He exalts and brings down leaders not by human influence but by His divine will. His judgments are fair, and He holds a cup of wrath for the wicked, which they will drink completely. God is not swayed by human pride; rather, He honors the humble and upholds justice. He is worthy of praise because He rules with equity and integrity.

Psalm 75 references Elohim (God) and speaks in terms that reflect His role as El Elyon (God Most High), though the name is not directly used. The imagery of God as the one who holds the "cup" underscores His authority to judge righteously. The lesson from this psalm is that we should not fear injustice or human exaltation—promotion comes from God alone. Our response should be gratitude, humility, and trust in His perfect judgment.

In Psalm 76, God is celebrated as a mighty Defender and awe-inspiring Warrior who brings peace by defeating the weapons of war. His character is holy, majestic, and fearsome—yet protective of those who belong to Him. He brings down the arrogant and terrifies kings, but for the humble and faithful, He brings security and deliverance. God is not passive in the face of evil; He actively confronts it and reigns with justice.

The psalm honors Elohim (God) and alludes to God's dwelling in Zion, signifying His presence among His people, much like Yahweh Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts), though the title is not directly stated. The lesson here is that God’s power is greater than any earthly threat. He invites us to revere Him, fulfill our vows, and find peace in His authority. When we submit to Him in reverence, we experience His protective presence and peace.

Psalm 77 presents God as a compassionate listener and a miracle-working Deliverer. Though the psalmist feels abandoned at first, he recalls God’s mighty acts and providence, especially His guidance through the Red Sea. God’s character here is patient, trustworthy, and full of wonder. He does not always speak immediately, but He never ceases to guide His people—even in silence, He is present and faithful.

This psalm repeatedly calls upon Elohim and describes God’s holiness and greatness, evoking His role as El Elyon (God Most High) in His unparalleled deeds, though the name itself is not used. The lesson in Psalm 77 is to move from anguish to assurance by remembering who God is and what He has done. When we shift our focus from feelings to faith, we find hope and renewed strength in His unchanging nature.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

How does Psalm 74 reveal God’s power over chaos and destruction?
In what ways does Psalm 75 portray God as a righteous and just judge?
What does Psalm 76 teach us about God’s role as a protector and warrior for His people?
How does Psalm 77 show God’s faithfulness even when He seems silent?
What characteristics of God stand out most to you in these psalms, and why?
How do these psalms encourage trust in God despite difficult circumstances?
How is God’s sovereignty demonstrated across Psalms 74–77?

Questions About Themes:

What are the main themes of lament and praise in Psalm 74? How do they interact?
How does Psalm 75 balance thanksgiving with warnings against pride?
What role does fear of God play in Psalm 76’s depiction of His power?
How does Psalm 77 transition from despair to hope, and what theme does this highlight?
How do themes of justice and judgment appear throughout these psalms?
In what ways do these psalms address the tension between God’s silence and His activity?
How do themes of God’s covenant faithfulness provide comfort in these chapters?

Reflective Application Questions:

When have you experienced a “Psalm 74” moment—feeling abandoned or witnessing destruction—and how did you respond?
How can you cultivate a heart like Psalm 75’s that trusts God’s timing and judgment instead of being anxious or prideful?
In what ways can remembering God’s past victories (like in Psalm 76) strengthen your faith during current struggles?
How do you personally handle times when God feels silent, like the psalmist in Psalm 77?
What practical steps can you take to shift your focus from fear or despair to praise and trust in God’s sovereignty?
How might you remind yourself daily of God’s justice and protection in a world filled with uncertainty?
How can these psalms inspire you to encourage others who may be facing spiritual or emotional crises?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans