Psalms 88 A Cry in Darkness

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 ps 5:1, ps 22:1, and ps 45:1, titles), denoting the subject--that is, "sickness or disease, for humbling," the idea of spiritual maladies being often represented by disease (compare ps 6:5, 6; 22:14, 15, &c.). On the other terms, see on ps 42:1 and ps 32:1. Heman and ethan (see on ps 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 (ps 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, Ps 22:2; 31:2.

3

grave — literally, "hell" (Ps 16:10), death in wide sense.

4

go... pit — of destruction (Ps 28:1). as a man — literally, "a stout man," whose strength is utterly gone.

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.

6

Similar figures for distress in Ps 63:9; 69:3.

7

Compare Ps 38:2, on first, and Ps 42:7, on last clause.

8

Both cut off from sympathy and made hateful to friends (Ps 31:11).

9

Mine eye mourneth — literally, "decays," or fails, denoting exhaustion (Ps 6:7; 31:9). I... called — (Ps 86:5, 7). stretched out — for help (Ps 44:20).

10

shall the dead — the remains of ghosts. arise — literally, "rise up," that is, as dead persons.

11,12

amplify the foregoing, the whole purport (as Ps 6:5) being to contrast death and life as seasons for praising God.

13

prevent — meet — that is, he will diligently come before God for help (Ps 18:41).

14

On the terms (Ps 27:9; 74:1; 77:7).

15

from... youth up — all my life.

16,17

the extremes of anguish and despair are depicted.

18

into darkness — Better omit "into" — "mine acquaintances (are) darkness," the gloom of death, &c. (Job 17:13, 14).