Psalm 88 Meaning Explained

The darkest psalm, a lament without a turn. The psalmist is engulfed in darkness, counted among those who go down to the Pit, with friends estranged. The questions are relentless: 'Do you work wonders for the dead?' There is no recollection of past deliverance, no vow of future praise. It ends where it began: 'Darkness is my closest friend.' It gives unflinching voice to the experience of divine abandonment.

A clear explanation of Psalm 88, its meaning, context, and message for believers today

Psalms Chapter 88 | KJV

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.

Historical Context

Psalm 88, attributed to Heman the Ezrahite, is one of the darkest laments in the Psalms, highlighting prolonged distress and prayer for deliverance.