-
Psalms 88:1-18 open_in_new
This is the saddest and most despairing of all the Pss. The writer is apparently the victim of some incurable disease like leprosy, with which he has been afflicted from his youth (Psalms 88:15), and which cuts him off from the society of men (Psalms 88:8; Psalms 88:18). His life is already a living death (Psalms 88:3-6), and beyond death he has no hope (Psalms 88:10-12). He traces his trouble to God's displeasure (Psalms 88:7; Psalms 88:14; Psalms 88:16), yet it is to God that he turns in pathetic appeal for relief (Psalms 88:1-2; Psalms 88:9; Psalms 88:13). Nothing is known as to his identity, or as to the date of the Ps.
Title.—Mahalath] see on Psalms 53. Leannoth] may mean 'for singing.' Heman] see 1 Kings 4:31.
-
Psalms 88:3 open_in_new
The grave] RV 'Sheol,' the under-world of the dead.
4 Strength] RV 'help.'
-
Psalms 88:5 open_in_new
Free] RV 'cast off.'
-
Psalms 88:6 open_in_new
Pit.. darkness (RV 'dark places').. deeps] expressions for Sheol.
-
Psalms 88:9 open_in_new
Mourneth] RV 'wasteth away.'
-
Psalms 88:11 open_in_new
In destruction] RV 'in Destruction.' The Heb. is Abaddon, used as a proper name for Sheol: see Job 26:6; Job 28:22; Job 31:12; Proverbs 15:11; Proverbs 27:20; Revelation 9:11.
-
Psalms 88:13 open_in_new
Prevent] RV 'come before.
-
Psalms 88:17 open_in_new
Daily] RV 'all the day long.'