Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 88

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 88 A prayer of one who feels forsaken and who asks whether the Lord's lovingkindness shall be declard in the grave.	The prayer of one who is condemned of god and so feels totally forsaken does begin to plead as to whether there will be any lovingkindness to be received in that grave or pit of eternal punishment.	It is a false presumption that the wicked have no feelings of sorrow and remorse. The suffering and pain, the pleading and seeking of a damned soul cut off from God's presence and who continues to seek after God is extremely great.
A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.
1 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^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
4 I am counted with them that go down into the ^apit^a: I am as a man that hath no strength: 5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou ^arememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.	4^a I am counted with them that go down into the pit Such as King David, who knew that he had lost his eternal blessing and that he would be confined to the spirit prision of God's 'eternal punishment', are all those who are the 'lost souls of the wicked'. They know their fate, that they are counted with those who are assigned to the 'pit' of 'hell' in that spirit confinement without the presence of God. David's case is most sad of all, for he knew of God's great love and companionship. And David's duration will be long unto the end and then his eventual reward will be greatly limited if at all.	4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
The Wicked ARE NOT Getting Away with Anything! Often there is a feeling of unfairness in this life that the wicked go unpunished and are getting away with their sins. This is a false presumption. For they are not getting away with anything. They are but digging themselves an ever deepenning pit of darkness into which they will be cast upon their death, where there will be weeping and wailing and the gnashing of teeth. Great are the horrors which they do heap upon themselves as they progressively destroy their very souls and eternal fate.
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.		4^a Moses 3:4-5; Abr. 5:4-5 ^b TG Jesus Christ—Jehovah 5^a TG Nature, Earth ^b TG Spirit Creation ^c TG Creation ^d TG Man, Physical Creation of ^e Moses 3:5
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^a. 9 Mine ^aeye mourneth by reason of ^baffliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. 10 Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead?^a shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.	8^a shut up, and I cannot come forth The confinement of the wicked in spirit prision is real. They are shut up, they cannot come forth out of it, they are far appart from all their previous acquaintances of friends and family. 10^a Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? Christ does hold the keys to the spirit prision. He will eventually, by the power of the atonement, unlock that door. There is a 'wonder' to be performed. They will all come forth, and the dead will arise and come forth praising the Lord. And every knee will bow and every tongue confess. But such an 'eternal punishment' will seems so endless until that day of relief does come. And then the final realms of glory will be assigned. But still not exalted yet in relief will they be.
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 ^aprevent thee. 14 LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why ^ahidest 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.