Psalms 88
Psalms 88 is part of “Book III: The Leviticus Book” (73–89) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 88 summary
This psalm is a lamentation, one of the most melancholy of all the psalms; and it does not conclude, as usually the melancholy psalms do, with the least intimation of comfort or joy, but, from first to last, it is mourning and woe. It is not upon a public account that the psalmist here complains (here is no mention of the afflictions of the church), but only upon a personal account, especially trouble of mind, and the grief impressed upon his spirits both by his outward afflictions and by the remembrance of his sins and the fear of God's wrath. It is reckoned among the penitential psalms, and it is well when our fears are thus turned into…
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This psalm is a lamentation, one of the most melancholy of all the psalms; and it does not conclude, as usually the melancholy psalms do, with the least intimation of comfort or joy, but, from first to last, it is mourning and woe. It is not upon a public account that the psalmist here complains (here is no mention of the afflictions of the church), but only upon a personal account, especially trouble of mind, and the grief impressed upon his spirits both by his outward afflictions and by the remembrance of his sins and the fear of God's wrath. It is reckoned among the penitential psalms, and it is well when our fears are thus turned into the right channel, and we take occasion from our worldly grievances to sorrow after a godly sort. In this psalm we have, I. The great pressure of spirit that the psalmist was under (Psa 88:3-6). II. The wrath of God, which was the cause of that pressure (Psa 88:7, Psa 88:15-17). III. The wickedness of his friends (Psa 88:8, Psa 88:18). IV. The application he made to God by prayer (Psa 88:1, Psa 88:2, Psa 88:9, Psa 88:13). V. His humble expostulations and pleadings with God (Psa 88:10, Psa 88:12, Psa 88:14). Those who are in trouble of mind may sing this psalm feelingly; those that are not ought to sing it thankfully, blessing God that it is not their case. A song or psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 88 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
I Cry Out Day and Night
1A song or Psalme of Heman the Ezrahite to give instruction, committed to the sonnes of Korah for him that excelleth upon Malath Leannoth. O Lord God of my saluation, I cry day and night before thee. 2Let my prayer enter into thy presence: incline thine eare vnto my cry. 3For my soule is filled with euils, and my life draweth neere to the graue. 4I am counted among them that go downe vnto the pit, and am as a man without strength: 5Free among the dead, like the slaine lying in the graue, whome thou remembrest no more, and they are cut off from thine hand. 6Thou hast layde me in the lowest pit, in darkenes, and in the deepe. 7Thine indignation lyeth vpon me, and thou hast vexed me with all thy waues. Selah. 8Thou hast put away mine acquaintance farre from me, and made mee to be abhorred of them: I am shut vp, and cannot get foorth. 9Mine eye is sorowfull through mine affliction: Lord, I call dayly vpon thee: I stretch out mine hands vnto thee. 10Wilt thou shewe a miracle to the dead? or shall the dead rise and prayse thee? Selah. 11Shall thy louing kindenes be declared in the graue? or thy faithfulnes in destruction? 12Shall thy wonderous workes be knowen in the darke? and thy righteousnes in the land of obliuion? 13But vnto thee haue I cryed, O Lord, and early shall my prayer come before thee. 14Lord, why doest thou reiect my soule, and hidest thy face from me? 15I am afflicted and at the point of death: from my youth I suffer thy terrours, doubting of my life. 16Thine indignations goe ouer me, and thy feare hath cut me off. 17They came round about me dayly like water, and compassed me together. 18My louers and friends hast thou put away from me, and mine acquaintance hid themselues.