Human life is never free from inner suffering and anxiety. In the modern world, we are often presented with a paradox: in the midst of technological advances and communication, many people feel lonely, anxious, and even alienated from themselves. In quiet spaces, people face the existential question, "Where is God when prayer feels empty?" Psalm 77 captures this reality honestly. The psalmist dares to express lament, even suspicion that God has turned away. But interestingly, the lament does not stop at despair. There is a transformation that takes place: from the language of complaint to a song of praise.

This psalm displays a dramatic inner dynamic. Verse 1–11 is full of lament and complaint, while verse 12–21 shows a shift towards remembrance of God's works. This shift shows a change in focus, from a centeredness on the troubled self, to an orientation towards the sovereign God. This psalm likely emerged during a time of collective crisis that created a sense of abandonment: The once mighty God of the Rift Sea is now noticeably silent. The psalmist responds by recalling past works of deliverance: deliverance from Egypt, miracles at sea, and companionship in the wilderness. This confirms that the identity of the people cannot be separated from the collective memory of God's work. This memory is not mere nostalgia, but an existential force that affirms the identity of the people. This is where the psalmist performs a kind of cognitive reframing; the difficult reality does not change, but the perspective is renewed by the memory of God's work.

In the final section, the psalmist presents a cosmic picture: the oceans tremble, the clouds rumble, the earth trembles and shakes. All of this paints a picture of God's presence that is both mighty and near. His mighty power goes hand in hand with the gentleness of a shepherd, who guides the people through Moses and Aaron. These symbols are both poetic and theological: God is not only the God of Israel, but the Ruler of the universe who cares for His creation. Thus, the psalmist testifies that God's presence can be recognized not only in the history of the nation, but also in the order of the cosmos that submits to Him.

Friends of the Bible, Psalm 77 reveals that lament is not a sign of weak faith, but rather the most honest form of faith. Lament opens the space for inner honesty as well as paving the way to praise. This change is not always born from a better situation, but from the courage to remember God's unfailing work. In the midst of a world full of crises, such as economic uncertainty, social conflicts, climate threats, and existential anxiety, we are invited with the psalmist: dare to be honest when lamenting, but also dare to remember. For only by remembering God's work can lament be transformed into praise, and faith find its strength.