Psalms 88 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
1O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:
PSALM 88
Psa 88:1-18. Upon Mahalath--either an instrument, as a lute, to be used as an accompaniment (Leannoth, "for singing") or, as others think, an enigmatic title (see on Psa 5:1, Psa 22:1, and Psa 45:1, titles), denoting the subject--that is, "sickness or disease, for humbling," the idea of spiritual maladies being often represented by disease (compare Psa 6:5, 6; 22:14, 15, &c.). On the other terms, see on Psa 42:1 and Psa 32:1. Heman and Ethan (see on Psa 89:1, title) were David's singers (1Ch 6:18, 33; 15:17), of the family of Kohath. If the persons alluded to (1Ki 4:31; 1Ch 2:6), they were probably adopted into the tribe of Judah. Though called a song, which usually implies joy (Psa 83:1), both the style and matter of the Psalm are very despondent; yet the appeals to God evince faith, and we may suppose that the word "song" might be extended to such compositions.
1-2. Compare on the terms used, Psa 22:2; 31:2.
2Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;
PSALM 88
Psa 88:1-18. Upon Mahalath--either an instrument, as a lute, to be used as an accompaniment (Leannoth, "for singing") or, as others think, an enigmatic title (see on Psa 5:1, Psa 22:1, and Psa 45:1, titles), denoting the subject--that is, "sickness or disease, for humbling," the idea of spiritual maladies being often represented by disease (compare Psa 6:5, 6; 22:14, 15, &c.). On the other terms, see on Psa 42:1 and Psa 32:1. Heman and Ethan (see on Psa 89:1, title) were David's singers (1Ch 6:18, 33; 15:17), of the family of Kohath. If the persons alluded to (1Ki 4:31; 1Ch 2:6), they were probably adopted into the tribe of Judah. Though called a song, which usually implies joy (Psa 83:1), both the style and matter of the Psalm are very despondent; yet the appeals to God evince faith, and we may suppose that the word "song" might be extended to such compositions.
1-2. Compare on the terms used, Psa 22:2; 31:2.
3For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
3. grave--literally, "hell" (Psa 16:10), death in wide sense.
4I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
4. go ... pit--of destruction (Psa 28:1).
as a man--literally, "a stout man," whose strength is utterly gone.
5Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
5. Free ... dead--Cut off from God's care, as are the slain, who, falling under His wrath, are left, no longer sustained by His hand.
6Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.
6. Similar figures for distress in Psa 63:9; 69:3.
7Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.
7. Compare Psa 38:2, on first, and Psa 42:7, on last clause.
8Thou 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.
8. Both cut off from sympathy and made hateful to friends (Psa 31:11).
9Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
9. Mine eye mourneth--literally, "decays," or fails, denoting exhaustion (Psa 6:7; 31:9).
I ... called--(Psa 86:5, 7).
stretched out--for help (Psa 44:20).
10Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.
10. shall the dead--the remains of ghosts.
arise--literally, "rise up," that is, as dead persons.
11Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
11-12. amplify the foregoing, the whole purport (as Psa 6:5) being to contrast death and life as seasons for praising God.
12Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
11-12. amplify the foregoing, the whole purport (as Psa 6:5) being to contrast death and life as seasons for praising God.
13But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.
13. prevent--meet--that is, he will diligently come before God for help (Psa 18:41).
14LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?
14. On the terms (Psa 27:9; 74:1; 77:7).
15I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.
15. from ... youth up--all my life.
16Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.
16-17. the extremes of anguish and despair are depicted.
17They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.
16-17. the extremes of anguish and despair are depicted.
18Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.
18. into darkness--Better omit "into"--"mine acquaintances (are) darkness," the gloom of death, &c. (Job 17:13, 14).