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Psalms 88

18 verses

TL;DR

Psalm 88 is a profound lament expressing deep despair and feeling abandoned by God.

Summary

In this psalm, the writer pours out a desperate prayer, lamenting that his soul is full of troubles and that his life is near the grave. He describes being among those who descend into the pit, feeling powerless and cut off from divine remembrance. The psalmist acknowledges God's wrath and the sense that God has laid him in the lowest darkness. He laments that his relationships have turned to hostility and that his afflictions seem unending. Despite his daily calling and pleading, he questions whether God will show wonders to the dead or reveal mercy in the grave. The lament ends with a poignant appeal, asking why God casts aside his soul and hides His face, and expressing readiness to die from youth due to continual terror.

Outline
  1. 1. Cry of desolation and feeling of abandonment
  2. 2. Acknowledgment of divine wrath and personal suffering
  3. 3. Plea for divine intervention and hope amid despair
Themes
Despair and human anguishDivine judgment and wrathHope for divine intervention
Keywords
lamentdespairwrathprayerdeathdarknessgravepitabandonment
People
Lord (God)
Places
pitgravedarkness
Things
prayerwrathdespairtorturedeath
Key Verses
  • Psalms 88:3: Expresses the psalmist's life nearing the grave and profound sorrow
  • Psalms 88:6: Declares being laid in the lowest pit, illustrating extreme despair
  • Psalms 88:10: Questions whether wonders will appear to the dead, highlighting hopelessness
  • Psalms 88:14: Explicitly asks why God casts aside the soul and hides His face
Questions
  • What does Psalm 88 teach us about expressing deep sorrow before God?
  • How can we respond to feelings of being forgotten or abandoned in our own lives?
  • What hope does the psalm offer for those who feel overwhelmed by suffering?
  • In what ways can we seek divine presence when it seems hidden?
  • How does this lament influence our understanding of God's justice and mercy?
Sentiment

negative
The psalm conveys profound sorrow, hopelessness, and a sense of abandonment.