The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:1-18
Metrically, the psalm is almost without divisions—"a slow, unbroken wail," expressive of "the monotony of woe." read more
Psalm 88
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:1-18
The saddest psalm in the Psalter. For in well nigh all others, though there may be darkness of soul, a very night of darkness, yet we see the light arise; though we see "weeping endure for the night," yet we see also that "joy cometh in the morning." But in this psalm we do not see such coming of joy. The believer who wrote it was one who was called to "walk in darkness, and bad no light." But he is holding on; he prays, and perseveres in prayer; he recognizes the hand of God in his... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:1-18
Light in the darkness. This is the darkest, saddest psalm of all the Psalms. I. A PICTURE OF THE MOST DESPAIRING MISERY . Scarcely possible to think that such unalleviated misery ever existed. 1 . Utter physical and mental weakness and prostration. (Verse 6.) As good as dead. 2 . Utterly forsaken of all his friends. (Verses 8, 18.) And God had put them from him. 3 . Cast off from God, by reason of is wrath. (Verses 7, 14, 15, 16.) He is abandoned utterly... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:2
Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry (comp. Psalms 86:1 , Psalms 86:6 ). read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:2
The fear that prayer will not be answered. With what historical conditions may we fairly associate and illustrate this psalm? Suggest—Uzziah smitten with leprosy. Jeremiah cast into the dungeon. Hezekiah humbled by sickness. Job crushed by accumulated sufferings. Probably the case of Job provides the most effective and varied illustration. When it pleases God to delay the answer, or to send the answer in unexpected forms, it is our common temptation to think that he does not mean to... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:3
For my soul is full of troubles (see Job 10:15 ). And my life draweth nigh unto the grave; literally, unto Sheol— the place of departed spirits (comp. Job 10:21 , Job 10:22 ). read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:3
A soul full of troubles. These plaints are such as could only be uttered by a diseased man—diseased in body or diseased in mind. The man felt "satiated with evils." Hezekiah, suffering from his carbuncle, or Job, as he "scraped himself with his potsherd," might be expected to read life as drearily and despondingly as the psalmist did. "The psalm accumulates images to describe the pressure of trial upon the frailty of human nature." Look at some of the troubles. I. THE BREVITY OF ... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:4
I am counted with them that go down into the pit ; i.e. "to the grave." I am reckoned as one just about to die. I am as a man that hath no strength. All my strength is departed from me; I am utterly feeble and weak—a mere shadow of my former self. Physical weakness, something like paralysis, seems to be meant. read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:5
Free among the dead; or, "east out among the dead." Placed with corpses, as one that needs burial. Like the slain that lie in the grave. Like those who are thrown into a pit dug on a battlefield, among whom there are often some who have not breathed their last (see the Prayerbook Version). Whom thou rememberest no more. We have already beard the complaint that in death there is no remembrance of God on the part of man ( Psalms 6:5 ); now we have the converse statement, that neither... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 88:1
Personal relations with God made a plea. "O Lord God of my salvation." This has been called "the saddest of all the psalms." But it represents mental rather than spiritual distress. It belongs to such an age as that of Solomon, and classes with the Psalms of Asaph, the Book of Ecclesiastes, and the Book of Job. It is a psalm of Heman the sage; but his wisdom is spoiled by the pessimistic view he takes of his circumstances and surroundings. The man who believes in God does not see ... read more