Hey guys! Let's dive into Psalm 88, a unique and often overlooked piece of the Psalms. Unlike many other psalms that end on a note of hope or praise, Psalm 88 is raw, honest, and filled with despair. It’s a powerful expression of human suffering and a cry for help in the darkest of times. This commentary aims to break down the psalm in easy-to-understand English, making it accessible and relatable for everyone.

Overview of Psalm 88

Psalm 88 is attributed to the sons of Korah and is a maskil, meaning a contemplative or didactic psalm. It’s a lament, a song of mourning, and it doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of life. The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling abandoned by God and overwhelmed by suffering. What makes this psalm particularly striking is its unrelenting negativity; there's no resolution, no silver lining, just a sustained cry of pain.

It's important to remember that the Psalms, including this one, give voice to the full spectrum of human emotions. They teach us that it’s okay to express our doubts, fears, and frustrations to God. Psalm 88 is a testament to the idea that faith isn't about pretending everything is okay, but about bringing our authentic selves, even our darkest selves, to God.

Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Verse 1: A Plea to God

"O Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before you."

The psalm begins with a direct address to God. The psalmist acknowledges God as the source of salvation but immediately follows this recognition with the statement that he has been crying out “day and night.” This sets the tone for the entire psalm: a desperate plea from someone in constant distress.

The phrase "God of my salvation" is significant. Even in his despair, the psalmist knows where his help ultimately comes from. He's not denying God's power or existence; he's questioning why God isn't intervening in his suffering. This tension—trusting in God's salvation while experiencing intense pain—is central to the psalm. The repetition of crying out “day and night” emphasizes the unrelenting nature of the psalmist’s suffering. This isn't a fleeting moment of sadness; it's a persistent, overwhelming burden.

Verse 2: Let My Prayer Come Before You

"Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!"

This verse is a request for God to pay attention. The psalmist isn’t just praying; he’s crying out, and he wants God to hear him. The phrase “incline your ear” is a vivid image, suggesting that God might be distant or unwilling to listen. The psalmist is urging God to lean in, to give him his full attention.

This verse reflects a common theme in the Psalms: the importance of being heard by God. Prayer isn't just about reciting words; it's about connecting with God and knowing that he is listening. The psalmist’s cry suggests a sense of isolation and desperation. He feels like his prayers are going unanswered, and he's pleading with God to break through that silence.

Verse 3: My Soul Is Full of Troubles

"For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol."

Here, the psalmist describes the depth of his suffering. His “soul is full of troubles,” indicating that his pain isn't just physical; it's emotional and spiritual. The phrase “my life draws near to Sheol” is a reference to the realm of the dead. The psalmist feels like he's on the verge of death, both physically and spiritually.

This verse is a powerful expression of despair. The psalmist isn't just sad; he's overwhelmed by troubles that consume his entire being. The mention of Sheol underscores the severity of his condition. He feels like he's losing his grip on life and being pulled into the darkness of death. It’s like he’s saying, “Guys, I’m at the end of my rope here.”

Verse 4: I Am Counted Among Those Who Go Down to the Pit

"I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength."

The psalmist feels like he’s already among the dead, “those who go down to the pit.” He describes himself as a man “who has no strength,” emphasizing his utter helplessness. He has no resources, no ability to fight back against his suffering.

Being “counted among those who go down to the pit” is a stark image of hopelessness. It suggests that the psalmist feels forgotten and abandoned, as if he’s already been written off. The lack of strength is both physical and spiritual. He's exhausted, drained, and unable to cope with the burdens he's carrying. This verse really drives home the feeling of being completely and utterly defeated.

Verse 5: Forsaken Among the Dead

"Forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand."

The feeling of abandonment intensifies here. The psalmist feels “forsaken among the dead,” like someone forgotten by God. He compares himself to the slain lying in the grave, whom God “remembers no more.” This is a powerful image of being completely cut off from God's care and attention.

The idea of being “cut off from your hand” is particularly poignant. It suggests that God has withdrawn his protection and support. The psalmist feels like he’s been left to fend for himself in the face of overwhelming adversity. This sense of abandonment is at the heart of his suffering.

Verse 6: You Have Put Me in the Depths of the Pit

"You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep."

Now, the psalmist directly accuses God of being the source of his suffering. “You have put me in the depths of the pit,” he says. This is a bold and honest expression of his pain. He feels like God is actively causing his misery, plunging him into the “regions dark and deep.”

This verse is a challenge to the common notion that God only brings good things into our lives. The psalmist is grappling with the reality of suffering and questioning God's role in it. He’s not denying God’s existence, but he’s questioning his motives. Why would a loving God allow such pain and darkness? This is a question that many people struggle with, and Psalm 88 gives voice to that struggle.

Verse 7: Your Wrath Lies Heavy Upon Me

"Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah"

The psalmist believes he is experiencing God’s wrath. “Your wrath lies heavy upon me,” he says, and “you overwhelm me with all your waves.” The image of being overwhelmed by waves suggests a sense of being completely submerged and helpless against God’s power.

This verse is a stark reminder of the power and majesty of God. The psalmist isn’t just experiencing suffering; he’s experiencing it as a direct result of God’s anger. This is a difficult concept to grasp, but it reflects the psalmist’s belief that God is in control of everything, including his suffering. The word “Selah” is a musical notation, possibly indicating a pause or reflection on the weight of these words.

Verse 8: You Have Removed My Acquaintances Far From Me

"You have removed my acquaintances far from me; you have made me an abomination to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape."

Isolation is a major theme in Psalm 88, and this verse emphasizes that. The psalmist feels abandoned not only by God but also by his friends and family. God has “removed my acquaintances far from me,” he says, and “made me an abomination to them.” He feels trapped and unable to escape his situation.

This verse highlights the social dimension of suffering. The psalmist isn’t just dealing with internal pain; he’s also facing rejection and isolation from those around him. This can be one of the most devastating aspects of suffering, as it deprives us of the support and comfort we need. Feeling like an “abomination” suggests that the psalmist feels repulsive and unwanted.

Verse 9: My Eye Grows Dim Through Sorrow

"My eye grows dim through sorrow; every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you."

The psalmist’s physical and emotional state is deteriorating. “My eye grows dim through sorrow,” he says, indicating exhaustion and despair. Yet, despite his suffering, he continues to pray. “Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you.”

This verse is a testament to the psalmist’s unwavering faith, even in the midst of intense suffering. Despite feeling abandoned by God, he continues to turn to him in prayer. The act of spreading out his hands is a gesture of supplication, a plea for help. It’s a reminder that even when we feel like God is distant, we can still reach out to him in faith.

Verse 10-12: Will You Work Wonders for the Dead?

"Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah. Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?"

Here, the psalmist questions the purpose of his suffering. He asks whether God’s power and love are only for the living. “Do you work wonders for the dead?” he asks. “Do the departed rise up to praise you?” He suggests that if he dies, he will no longer be able to give God glory.

These verses reflect a common concern in the Old Testament: the connection between life and worship. The psalmist believes that the purpose of life is to praise God, and he fears that death will prevent him from fulfilling that purpose. He’s essentially arguing that God should spare his life so that he can continue to give him glory. It’s like he’s saying, “God, what good am I to you dead? Let me live so I can praise you!”

Verse 13: But I, O Lord, Cry to You

"But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you."

Despite his doubts and questions, the psalmist returns to prayer. “But I, O Lord, cry to you,” he says. “In the morning my prayer comes before you.” He’s reaffirming his commitment to seeking God, even when he doesn’t understand what’s happening.

This verse is a powerful reminder of the importance of persistence in prayer. Even when we feel discouraged or abandoned, we should continue to turn to God. The psalmist’s unwavering commitment to prayer is a model for us. It shows that faith isn’t about having all the answers but about continuing to seek God, even in the midst of uncertainty.

Verse 14: Why, O Lord, Do You Cast My Soul Away?

"Why, O Lord, do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?"

The psalmist repeats his question of why God seems to have abandoned him. “Why, O Lord, do you cast my soul away?” he asks. “Why do you hide your face from me?” He feels like God is deliberately ignoring him, turning away from his suffering.

This verse is a raw and honest expression of pain. The psalmist isn’t afraid to question God or to express his feelings of abandonment. He’s being real with God, sharing his deepest fears and frustrations. This is a reminder that it’s okay to be honest with God about our struggles.

Verse 15: I Have Been Afflicted and Near to Death From My Youth

"I have been afflicted and near to death from my youth; I have borne your terrors; I am helpless."

The psalmist emphasizes the long-standing nature of his suffering. “I have been afflicted and near to death from my youth,” he says. He feels like he’s been struggling with pain and suffering his entire life. He has “borne your terrors,” suggesting that his suffering is a result of God’s actions.

This verse adds a layer of depth to the psalmist’s suffering. It’s not just a recent event; it’s a lifelong struggle. He feels like he’s been carrying this burden for as long as he can remember. The phrase “I am helpless” underscores his utter lack of control over his situation.

Verse 16-18: Your Wrath Has Swept Over Me

"Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful terrors have destroyed me. They surround me like water all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness."

The psalm concludes with a final expression of despair. The psalmist feels like God’s wrath has completely overwhelmed him. He’s surrounded by terrors that have destroyed him. Even his friends and loved ones have abandoned him, and his only companions are darkness.

These verses paint a bleak and hopeless picture. The psalmist is completely isolated, surrounded by suffering, and abandoned by God and man. The lack of resolution in this psalm is striking. Unlike many other psalms that end with a note of hope or praise, Psalm 88 remains in the darkness, a testament to the reality of human suffering.

Why Psalm 88 Matters

Psalm 88 is a powerful reminder that it’s okay to express our doubts, fears, and frustrations to God. It’s a psalm for those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or any other form of suffering. It gives voice to the pain that many people experience but are afraid to express.

It also challenges the notion that faith is about pretending everything is okay. Psalm 88 shows us that it’s possible to be honest with God about our struggles and still maintain our faith. It’s a psalm that acknowledges the reality of suffering and reminds us that we’re not alone in our pain.

In conclusion, Psalm 88 is a raw, honest, and powerful expression of human suffering. It’s a psalm that reminds us that it’s okay to be real with God and that even in our darkest moments, we can still turn to him in prayer. It’s a testament to the enduring power of faith, even in the face of overwhelming despair. So, guys, next time you're feeling down, remember Psalm 88 – it’s proof that you’re not alone in your struggles.