Psalm 88:1-5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 88:5

(5) Free among the dead . . .—So the old versions without exception, taking chaphshî as an adjective, as in Job 3:19 (where used of an emancipated slave); 1 Samuel 17:25 (free from public burdens). So of the separate house for lepers, who were cut off from society (2 Kings 15:5). Hence some refer the psalm to Uzziah. The Targum explains, “freed from legal duties.” But plainly the meaning is here exactly that of defunctus. The verse offers an instance of introverted parallelism, and this clause... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 88:1-18

Psalms 88:15 St. John of the Cross in The Ascent of Mount Carmel quotes this text in its Latin form: 'Pauper sum ego et in laboribus a juventute mea'. He says that David calls himself poor although it is clear that he was rich, because his will was not set on riches, and so he was in the same state as if he had really been poor. But if he had formerly been actually poor and had not been poor in will, he would not have been truly poor, since the soul was rich and full in appetite. Obras... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 88:1-18

Psalms 88:1-18A PSALM which begins with "God of my salvation" and ends with "darkness" is an anomaly. All but unbroken gloom broods over it, and is densest at its close. The psalmist is so "weighed upon by sore distress," that he has neither definite petition for deliverance nor hope. His cry to God is only a long-drawn complaint, which brings no respite from his pains nor brightening of his spirit. But yet to address God as the God of his salvation, to discern His hand in the infliction of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 88:1-18

Psalms 88:0 The Deepest Soul Misery Poured Out 1. In deepest misery and distress (Psalms 88:1-7 ) 2. Crying and no answer (Psalms 88:8-18 ) This is a Maschil Psalm by Heman the Ezrahite. See 1 Kings 4:31 ; 1 Chronicles 6:33 ; 1Ch 6:44 ; 1 Chronicles 25:4 . It is a Psalm of deepest distress, picturing the darkest experience with no ray of light or word of comfort. That it describes the real experience of a saint no one would doubt. But in it we can hear again the voice of sorrow of Him who... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 88:1

88:1 [A Song [or] Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath {a} Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.] O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day [and] night {b} before thee:(a) That is, to humble. It was the beginning of a song by which tune this psalm was sung.(b) Though many cry in their sorrows, yet they cry not earnestly to God for remedy as he did whom he confessed to be the author of his salvation. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 88:5

88:5 {c} Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy {d} hand.(c) For he who is dead is free from all cares and business of this life and thus he says because he was unprofitable for all matters concerning man’s life, and as it were cut off from this world.(d) That is, from your providence and care, which is meant according to the judgment of the flesh. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 88:1-18

The first psalm in this lesson suggests Psalms 74:0 on which we did not dwell, but both of which depict the desolations of Judah by the Babylonians (compare Jeremiah 52:12-14 ). On this supposition their date would be that of the captivity, and their author a later Asaph than the Asaph mentioned in David’s time. Psalms 80:0 Has captivity features also. Some would say it relates to the ten tribes, as the preceding psalm does to Judah. The next several psalms are much alike in this respect and... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 88:1-18

The Land of Forgetfulness Psalms 88:0 "Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?" ( Psa 88:12 ). This psalm is very mournful. The Psalmist is in great fear and sorrow. He has been crying day and night before God time out of mind. He is afraid that his prayer will never get to heaven; it will be lost somewhere in the darkness. By day his soul is full of troubles, and his life draws nigh unto the grave. He is a man who is marked for the pit.... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 88:1

CONTENTS Whether the penman of this Psalm, under the spirit of prophecy, is describing the Person and sorrows of the ever-blessed Jesus; or whether they be the afflictions of his church and people; yet, from beginning to end, the subject is one continuation of the sorrows of the soul. A Song, or Psalm, for the sons of Korah. To the chief musician upon Mahalath, Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 88:1-2

It is not of so much importance to enquire, by what hand the Holy Ghost sent this Psalm to the church, especially as the Lord the Spirit hath not thought proper to inform us. But it should seem to be that Heman which is spoken of, 1 Chronicles 25:4 . If, however, the Lord the Holy Ghost referred to the person and afflictions of Jesus, in what is here recorded, it may serve to teach us how very important a part it was intended to form in the temple service, when such a Psalm, or Song, was... read more

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