Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
Psalms 88
Public-domain commentary by Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown.
Commentary Notes
15 sectionsv1
Psalms 88:1
Ps 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 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.
- Ps 88 1-Ps 88 18
- Ps 5 1
- Ps 22 1
- Ps 45 1
- Ps 6 5
- Ps 6 6
- Ps 22 14
- Ps 22 15
- Ps 42 1
- Ps 32 1
- Ps 89 1
- 1Chr 6 18
v3
Psalms 88:3
3. grave —literally, "hell" (Ps 16:10), death in wide sense.
- Ps 16 10
v4
Psalms 88:4
4. go … pit —of destruction (Ps 28:1).
as a man —literally, "a stout man," whose strength is utterly gone.
- Ps 28 1
v5
Psalms 88:5
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.
v6
Psalms 88:6
6. Similar figures for distress in Ps 63:9; 69:3.
- Ps 63 9
- Ps 69 3
v7
Psalms 88:7
7. Compare Ps 38:2, on first, and Ps 42:7, on last clause.
- Ps 38 2
- Ps 42 7
v8
Psalms 88:8
8. Both cut off from sympathy and made hateful to friends (Ps 31:11).
- Ps 31 11
v9
Psalms 88:9
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).
- Ps 6 7
- Ps 31 9
- Ps 86 5
- Ps 86 7
- Ps 44 20
v10
Psalms 88:10
10. shall the dead —the remains of ghosts.
arise —literally, "rise up," that is, as dead persons.
v11
Psalms 88:11
11, 12. amplify the foregoing, the whole purport (as Ps 6:5) being to contrast death and life as seasons for praising God.
- Ps 6 5
v13
Psalms 88:13
13. prevent —meet—that is, he will diligently come before God for help (Ps 18:41).
- Ps 18 41
v14
Psalms 88:14
14. On the terms (Ps 27:9; 74:1; 77:7).
- Ps 27 9
- Ps 74 1
- Ps 77 7
v15
Psalms 88:15
15. from … youth up —all my life.
v16
Psalms 88:16
16, 17. the extremes of anguish and despair are depicted.
v18
Psalms 88:18
18. into darkness —Better omit "into"—"mine acquaintances (are) darkness," the gloom of death, &c. (Job 17:13, 14).
- Job 17 13
- Job 17 14