Asaph is in a state of great distress. He prays earnestly and continually, but finds no relief. Even his thoughts of God trouble him, and instead of strengthening him, he feels weaker. He cannot sleep, and he traces that response to the action of God. There is no one with whom he can share his burden (vv. 1-4).
Verses 5 to 9 describe his burden. He was apprehensive that the Lord had cast off his people. Therefore he searched in his mind the history of God’s dealings with his people. He had lots of questions but he asked them because he knew that the answer would be found there. Did the past contain times when God came to restore his people? If he had, then Asaph could hope that he would did so again.
His mind went to the great event in Israel’s history so far - the Exodus. That deliverance was an amazing display of God’s covenant commitment to his people in which he revealed his holiness. Holiness points to God’s elevation, how he is superior to all else. He displays his abilities in an extraordinary manner, and we can see that was the case when we look at the ten judgements he sent on Egypt and the way he opened the Red Sea for them to escape (vv. 11-19). God provided a great deliverance, says Asaph, and he then guided his people safely through the wilderness to Canaan (v. 20). Yet, in an astonishing way, no one saw him or could point to his footsteps. His involvement in his providences are seen by faith.
The lesson of this psalm is obvious. When current circumstances are dark, we should turn to God in prayer and consider his actions recorded in his Word and also what he has done in church history. It is appropriate to think of the great things he has done. Yet we must know the details in order to know what to expect.
Another lesson is that it is not a sign of unbelief to be in the dark or to be puzzled by the affairs of life. It is important to have concern about the state of God’s cause, but the evidence of our concern is seen in the intensity of our response.
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