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88:title–18 Psalm 88, which is specifically identified as a song, is an unusually despairing individual lament psalm; it does not include the customary sense of trust or hope that usually closes such psalms. |
88:title A psalm See note on 3:title.
the sons of Korah See note on 42:title.
music director See note on 4:title.
Mahalath Leannoth See note on 53:title.
Mahalath HIBD
Mahalath EDB
Mahalath Leannoth The Hebrew term used here is a form of the Hebrew verb anah (meaning “to afflict”). It may refer to the affliction that the psalm portrays. Alternatively, it could be read in connection with the preceding term, mahalath.
A maskil See note on 32:title.
Heman the Ezrahite Compare 1 Kgs 4:31; 1 Chr 2:6.
88:1–9 The psalmist recounts his troubles and takes them to Yahweh, whom he views as the ultimate source of his trouble and also its ultimate solution. He sees his rescue as coming from God’s attention and direct help (Ps 88:5). |
88:1 I cry out by day and through the night The psalmist emphasizes his constant pleading. He will portray his pleading several different ways with the same general idea (see vv. 9b, 13).
88:3 Sheol The Hebrew word she’ol is used here. See note on Job 14:13; note on 1 Kgs 2:6.
88:4 the pit The Hebrew word used here, bor, can refer to a pit or a cistern. It is often used metaphorically to refer to the grave or to Sheol.
88:5 set free among the dead One of many Hebrew images of death. See Ps 107:18 and note.
88:7 Your wrath presses upon me The psalmist attributes his suffering to God’s judgment.
88:8 You have removed my acquaintances far from me It is unclear whether the psalmist’s isolation is a result of God’s direct action or a result of the psalmist’s disturbing, possibly repulsive condition. Compare v. 18.
88:9 My eye languishes from misery Possibly a result of fatigue or tears.
88:9–12 In the second half of v. 9, the psalmist reemphasizes his continual pleading; he then presents a series of questions that function as requests for Yahweh’s help (vv. 10–12). The psalmist appeals to Yahweh’s reputation, emphasizing that dead people cannot praise God and declare His wonders and thus Yahweh should help him. In his suffering, the psalmist stops short of extending these questions to a sense of hope and trust. |
88:10 the departed spirits The psalmist shows no hope in death; for him, in his current emotional state, it seems like the end.
88:11 underworld The Hebrew word used here, avaddon, is sometimes used synonymously with the Hebrew word she’ol, the term for the realm of the dead (Job 26:6). Avaddon refers to a place of perishing, ruin, or destruction. See note on Job 31:12.
Abaddon EDB
88:12 darkness A symbol of death (compare Psa 107:18 and note; v. 18).
the land of forgetfulness A Hebrew image for death. Other psalms reflect the opposite belief—that God’s presence is even known in the realm of the dead (see 22:29 and note).
88:13–18 The psalmist resumes his pleading (v. 13) and accuses Yahweh of afflicting him through neglect (v. 14). He sees himself as helpless and overwhelmed before God (vv. 15–17). The psalmist concludes with an especially bleak note of loneliness (v. 18). Psalms such as this one, despite being accusatory of Yahweh, actually express faith in Him by directing concerns to him. The accusations of Yahweh do not necessarily accurately depict Yahweh’s character or His actual role in the psalmist’s life—instead, they express the emotion of the psalmist toward Yahweh. In this regard, psalms like this one show that Yahweh is willing to listen to any and all prayers directed faithfully to Him. |
88:14 do you hide your face Yahweh’s face symbolizes His attention, representing His presence and relationship with Him. Even though the psalmist attributes his suffering to God’s actions, he also portrays his suffering as a result of God’s neglect.
88:15 from my youth The psalmist may be fusing his perspective with the perspective of Israel as a nation. Compare 129:1.
88:17 like water The psalmist indicates that his suffering, which is already overwhelming, is also constant (compare 90:5).
all the day This statement of consistent difficulty connects with the psalmist’s statements of his continual pleading (vv. 1, 9, 13).
88:18 You have removed loved one and friend far from me Again describes the psalmist’s isolation (v. 8). The psalmist portrays himself as totally alone.
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