1 A Song [or] Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day [and] night before thee:
2 Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;
3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man [that hath] no strength:
5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.
7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted [me] with all thy waves. Selah.
8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: [I am] shut up, and I cannot come forth.
9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
10 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah.
11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? [or] thy faithfulness in destruction?
12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.
14 LORD, why castest thou off my soul? [why] hidest thou thy face from me?
15 I [am] afflicted and ready to die from [my] youth up: [while] I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.
16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.
17 They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.
18 Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, [and] mine acquaintance into darkness.
Overview of Psalm 88
Psalm 88 is one of the most poignant and somber chapters in the Book of Psalms. It is attributed to Heman the Ezrahite and is noted for its deep expression of despair and anguish. Unlike many other psalms that conclude with a note of hope or praise, Psalm 88 ends on a note of darkness, reflecting a profound sense of abandonment and sorrow.
Structure and Literary Elements
The structure of Psalm 88 can be broken down into several key components:
- Invocation (Verses 1-2): The psalmist calls out to God, establishing a tone of urgency and desperation.
- Expression of Distress (Verses 3-9): The psalmist details his suffering, including physical and emotional pain.
- Description of Isolation (Verses 10-12): The psalmist questions whether God can perform wonders in the grave, emphasizing feelings of hopelessness.
- Continued Plea (Verses 13-18): The psalmist reiterates his cries for help, expressing a sense of being forsaken by God and humanity.
Thematic Analysis
Psalm 88 explores several key themes:
- Despair and Isolation: The psalmist articulates profound feelings of abandonment. The repetition of phrases like “I am counted among those who go down to the pit” emphasizes a deep sense of isolation.
- Divine Silence: The psalmist feels unheard, as he cries out day and night without receiving a response from God. This silence from God adds to the sense of despair.
- Mortality and the Afterlife: The psalmist reflects on death and the afterlife, questioning the possibility of praise and remembrance in the grave.
- The Nature of Suffering: The psalm serves as a raw and honest exploration of human suffering, portraying it as a universal experience that can lead to feelings of abandonment even by God.
Theological Implications
Psalm 88 raises important theological questions:
- The Nature of God: The psalm challenges the notion of a God who is always present and responsive, highlighting the reality of divine silence in times of suffering.
- Human Suffering: It acknowledges that suffering can be overwhelming and may lead individuals to feel as though they are beyond hope.
- Community and Support: The psalmist’s isolation underscores the importance of community in times of distress, suggesting that human support is crucial in addressing suffering.
Conclusion
Psalm 88 stands out as a unique expression of despair within the Psalter. Its unflinching portrayal of suffering and isolation invites readers to confront the darker aspects of faith and the human experience. The psalm serves as a reminder that lament and sorrow are valid expressions of faith, and that even in the depths of despair, the act of crying out to God remains a powerful testament to one’s faith.
