Psalms 88
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Of Ethan--(See on Psa 88:1, title). This Psalm was composed during some season of great national distress, perhaps Absalom's rebellion. It contrasts the promised prosperity and perpetuity of David's throne (with reference to the great promise of Sa2 7:12-17), with a time when God appeared to have forgotten His covenant. The picture thus drawn may typify the promises and the adversities of Christ's kingdom, and the terms of confiding appeal to God provided appropriate prayers for the divine aid and promised blessing. (Psa. 89:1-52) mercies--those promised (Isa 55:3; Act 13:34), and-- faithfulness--that is, in fulfilling them.
Open source ↗O Lord God of my salvation,.... The author both of temporal and spiritual salvation; see Psa 18:46 from the experience the psalmist had had of the Lord's working salvation for him in times past, he is encouraged to hope that he would appear for him, and help him out of his present distress; his faith was not so low, but that amidst all his darkness and dejection he could look upon the Lord as his God, and the God of salvation to him; so our Lord Jesus Christ, when deserted by his Father, still called him his God, and believed that he would help him, Psa 22:1. I have cried day and night before thee, or "in the day I have cried, and in the night before thee"; that is, as the Targum paraphrases it, "in the night my prayer was before thee.'' prayer being expressed by crying shows the person to be in distress, denotes the earnestness of it, and shows it to be vocal; and it being both in the day and in the night, that it was without ceasing. The same is said by Christ, Psa 22:2 and is true of him, who in the days of his flesh was frequent in prayer, and especially in the night season, Luk 6:12 and particularly his praying in the garden the night he was betrayed may be here referred to, Mat 26:38. (a) "pro infirmitate ad affligendum", so some in Munster; "de miseria ad affligendum", Tigurine version; "de infirmitate affligente", Piscator, so Gussetius, p. 622. (b) Works, vol. 1. p. 699. (c) Tractat. Theolog. Politic. c. 10. p. 184. (d) Apud Meor Enayim, c. 32. p. 106.
Open source ↗The poet finds himself in the midst of circumstances gloomy in the extreme, but he does not despair; he still turns towards Jahve with his complaints, and calls Him the God of his salvation. This actus directus of fleeing in prayer to the God of salvation, which urges its way through all that is dark and gloomy, is the fundamental characteristic of all true faith. Psa 88:2 is not to be rendered, as a clause of itself: "by day I cry unto Thee, in the night before Thee" (lxx and Targum), which ought to have been יומם, but (as it is also pointed, especially in Baer's text): by day, i.e., in the time (Psa 56:4; Psa 78:42, cf. Psa 18:1), when I cry before Thee in the night, let my prayer come... (Hitzig). In Psa 88:3 he calls his piercing lamentation, his wailing supplication, רנּתי, as in Psa 17:1; Psa 61:2. הטּה as in Psa 86:1, for which we find הט in Psa 17:6. The Beth of בּרעות, as in Psa 65:5; Lam 3:15, Lam 3:30, denotes that of which his soul has already had abundantly sufficient. On Psa 88:4, cf. as to the syntax Psa 31:11. איל (ἅπαξ λεγομ. like אילוּת, Psa 22:20) signifies succinctness, compactness, vigorousness (ἁδρότης): he is like a man from whom all vital freshness and vigour is gone, therefore now only like the shadow of a man, in fact like one already dead. חפשׁי, in Psa 88:6, the lxx renders ἐν νεκροῖς ἐλεύθερος (Symmachus, ἀφεὶς ἐλεύθερος); and in like manner the Targum, and the Talmud which follows it in formulating the proposition that a deceased person is חפשׁי מן חמצוות, free from the fulfilling of the precepts of the Law (cf. Rom 6:7). Hitzig, Ewald, Kster, and Bttcher, on the contrary, explain it according to Eze 27:20 (where חפשׁ signifies stragulum): among the dead is my couch (חפשׁי = יצועי, Job 17:13). But in respect of Job 3:19 the adje…
Open source ↗It should seem, by the titles of this and the following psalm, that Heman was the penman of the one and Ethan of the other. There were two, of these names, who were sons of Zerah the son of Judah, Ch1 2:4, Ch1 2:6. There were two others famed for wisdom, Kg1 4:31, where, to magnify Solomon's wisdom, he is said to be wiser than Heman and Ethan. Whether the Heman and Ethan who were Levites and precentors in the songs of Zion were the same we are not sure, nor which of these, nor whether any of these, were the penmen of these psalms. There was a Heman that was one of the chief singers, who is called the king's seer, or prophet, in the words of God (Ch1 25:5); it is probable that this also was a seer, and yet could see no comfort for himself, an instructor and comforter of others, and yet himself putting comfort away from him. The very first words of the psalm are the only words of comfort and support in all the psalm. There is nothing about him but clouds and darkness; but, before he begins his complaint, he calls God the God of his salvation, which intimates both that he looked for salvation, bad as things were, and that he looked up to God for the salvation and depended upon him to be the author of it. Now here we have the psalmist, I. A man of prayer, one that gave himself to prayer at all times, but especially now that he was in affliction; for is any afflicted? let him pray. It is his comfort that he had prayed; it is his complaint that, notwithstanding his prayer, he was still in affliction. He was, 1. Very earnest in prayer: "I have cried unto thee (Psa 88:1), and have stretched out my hands unto thee (Psa 88:9), as one that would take hold on thee, and even catch at the mercy, with a holy fear of coming short and missing of it." 2. He was very frequent and constant…
Open source ↗Ps 88 In this lament, the psalmist sees himself as cast out from God’s presence. At first, he calls on the Lord. When he finds no relief from his suffering, he presents three charges against God (88:6-7, 8-12, 13-17). 88:title Heman the Ezrahite might be a sage from Solomon’s time (1 Kgs 4:31), a descendant of Judah (1 Chr 2:6), or a member of the Levitical family charged with singing at the Temple (1 Chr 15:17; 2 Chr 5:12). 88:1-5 The psalmist calls on the Lord for salvation.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קֹרַח (Qôrach, H7141) — Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… מַחֲלַת (machălath, H4257) — 'Machalath', probably the title (initial word) of a popular song עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… מַשְׂכִּיל (maskîyl, H4905) — instructive, i.e. a didactic poem הֵימָן (Hêymân, H1968) — Heman, the name of at least two Israelites אֶזְרָחִי (ʼEzrâchîy, H250) — an Ezrachite or descendant of Zerach יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity צָעַק (tsâʻaq, H6817) — to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
Open source ↗תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) רִנָּה (rinnâh, H7440) — properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief)
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נָגַע (nâgaʻ, H5060) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with… שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories…
Open source ↗חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… בּוֹר (bôwr, H953) — a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison) גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply אֱיָל (ʼĕyâl, H353) — strength
Open source ↗חׇפְשִׁי (chophshîy, H2670) — exempt (from bondage, tax or care) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill חָלָל (châlâl, H2491) — pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) קֶבֶר (qeber, H6913) — a sepulchre זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… גָּזַר (gâzar, H1504) — to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) תַּחְתִּי (tachtîy, H8482) — lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb) בּוֹר (bôwr, H953) — a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison) מַחְשָׁךְ (machshâk, H4285) — darkness; concretely, a dark place מְצוֹלָה (mᵉtsôwlâh, H4688) — a deep place (of water or mud)
Open source ↗חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6031) — to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various… מִשְׁבָּר (mishbâr, H4867) — a breaker (of the sea) סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… כָּלָא (kâlâʼ, H3607) — to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and…
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) דָּאַב (dâʼab, H1669) — to pine עֳנִי (ʻŏnîy, H6040) — depression, i.e. misery יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שָׁטַח (shâṭach, H7849) — to expand כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application פֶּלֶא (peleʼ, H6382) — a miracle מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7496) — properly, lax, i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… קֶבֶר (qeber, H6913) — a sepulchre אֱמוּנָה (ʼĕmûwnâh, H530) — literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity אֲבַדּוֹן (ʼăbaddôwn, H11) — abstract, a perishing; concrete, Hades
Open source ↗פֶּלֶא (peleʼ, H6382) — a miracle יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נְשִׁיָּה (nᵉshîyâh, H5388) — oblivion
Open source ↗שָׁוַע (shâvaʻ, H7768) — properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn קָדַם (qâdam, H6923) — to project (one self), i.e. precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זָנַח (zânach, H2186) — reject, forsake, fail נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.
Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long.
Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.
He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.
I await Your salvation, O LORD.
Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.