Psalm 79:11 (ESV) … “Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!”
There are times when we are driven to such extremity that there is nothing left for us to do but pray. All human resources have been exhausted, nobody is left but God. God allows that to happen to us because we so easily forget Him when all is going well.
In our verse, we see the psalmist appeals to the Lord’s nature, a nature in which the merciful and the moral are perfectly blended in complete harmony: “Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die!” (79:11).
That word “groans” is unusual. It occurs only five times in the Bible. In Leviticus 11:30 (the chapter on the dietary laws of Israel) it is translated “ferret”—probably because of the peculiar, moaning call of that animal. The Hebrews had much about which to groan, and so do we. The psalmist appeals to the Lord’s nature. His nature would not let Him overlook those groans - He is merciful. Neither would His nature allow Him to overlook those scoffs - the hideous laughter of Israel’s neighbors who took such delight in the misfortunes which had overtaken the people of God.
When we are desperate with God about our soul’s condition, about our home, or our church let us try this recipe found in Psalm 79 and appeal to the Lord’s name, nearness, and nature.[1]
[1] Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Psalms 1–88: An Expository Commentary (Vol. 1, Ps 79:9–12). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.