Psalm 88

 (1) Overview

(BKC) Psalm 88... has been called one of the saddest psalms in the Psalter. It voices the diligent prayer of one who suffered constantly [since youth v.15]. The psalmist lamented the terrible and fierce affliction that had brought him to the point of death. Yet he steadfastly prayed to the Lord night and day, basing his appeal on the fact that he would be useless to the Lord in the grave.

Reflection: Believers or non-believers all face suffering. We are not exempt. Do we come before God when we suffer? If not, whom do we turn to? 

Second, do we have long term suffering like the author had? Do we lose hope and do not pray about that anymore? Or do we persistently ask God for help?

(2) Outline and commentary

(BKC) 

  A.      His terrible affliction (88:1–9a)

88:1–2. The introduction is given in these verses: the psalmist prayed (cf. v. 13) constantly (day and night) to God for deliverance.
88:3–9a. ...Heman first compared himself to those who are forgotten in the grave. His troubled life was near death (v. 3), he was considered dead (v. 4...). He was like the dead, without God’s care (88:5).
Then in direct address Heman declared that God had brought this trouble on him. God laid him in the lowest pit (cf. v. 4), God’s wrath … overwhelmed him like waves, and God had separated him from his friends by his grief.


  B.      His earnest prayer (88:9b–12)

88:9b–12. The psalmist stated that he continued to pray earnestly to the LORD. He reasoned that a dead person cannot praise God’s works and attributes in the grave.... He said the Lord should deliver him so that he could declare His glory. True believers want to praise the Lord, and to Heman death seemed to be the end of that opportunity.

Reflection: For those of us who are not under dead-like suffering, do we use our life to praise God? Why does God allow us to live another day?

  C.      His steadfast faith (88:13–18)

88:13–18. For the third time the psalmist affirmed his faith by his cry to God for help (v. 13; cf. vv. 1–2). Then, questioning why the LORD had apparently rejected him (v. 14), he again stated that his affliction was terrible (vv. 15–18)... this psalmist suffered under what appeared to be God’s wrath, separated from his friends and loved ones, and was almost in despair (darkness). Yet, knowing that God was his only Source of hope, he continued to pray.

(3) Difficult verses

    88:6 You place me in the lowest regions of the pit,
    in the dark places, in the watery depths.
    88:7 Your anger bears down on me,
    and you overwhelm me with all your waves.

v.15b     I have been subjected to your horrors and am numb with pain.
    88:16 Your anger overwhelms me;
    your terrors destroy me.

    88:18a You cause my friends and neighbors to keep their distance;

This psalm did not end with a note of praise or happiness. Instead, it feels unresolved. God did not take away his pain or he did not see the light through the sufferings. 

Reflection: Even in the situation like the author he did not give up, namely, there is no end to suffering. When we are still in the puzzle of why we suffer, will we continue to look up to God for help?

Early in the summer, I have experienced a couple times of canone capsizing in a running river. The current of the water was not very strong, but when I was covered under the water and could not keep above the water it was a very scary moment. Will we preserve if we are suffering like that?

Audrey