Psalms 88
88
Save Me from This Sorrow # 88 This psalm has traditionally been used by Christians for reading on Good Friday. Many insights can be found here of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
To the Pure and Shining One
A song, a psalm # 88 Psalm 88 is both a song and a psalm. The Hebrew for “song” can also mean “wall.” There are times that our purest music will come when we feel like we are up against a “wall.” by the prophetic singers of Korah’s clan
To the tune of “Pierced,” for instruction by Heman the Ezrahite # 88 Heman the Ezrahite was considered comparable to Solomon in his wisdom (1 Kings 4:31). Jewish literature states that he was also a gifted musician and vocalist. But it also teaches that Heman was a leper, an outcast from society who lived in poverty, was shunned by all, and could not sing in the temple because of his disease. Read Ps. 88 with this background in mind. To the tune of “Pierced” can also be translated “He has been humbled more than any man.” The Hebrew word for “instruction” (maschil) comes from a word that means “to prosper” or “to understand.”
1Yahweh is the God who continually saves me.
I weep before you night and day.
2Please bend down and listen to my sobbing,
for my life is riddled with troubles
and death is just around the corner!
3Everyone sees my life ebbing out.
They consider me a hopeless case and see me as a dead man.
4They’ve all left me here to die, helpless,
like one who is doomed for death.
5They’re convinced you’ve forsaken me,
certain that you’ve forgotten me completely—
abandoned, pierced, with nothing to look forward to but death.
6They have discarded me # 88:6 As translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew reads “You have discarded me.” and thrown me down
into the deepest darkness as into a bottomless pit.
7I feel your wrath, and it’s a heavy weight upon me,
drowning me beneath a sea of sorrow.
Pause in his presence
8Why did you turn all my friends against me?
You’ve made me like a cursed man in their eyes.
No one wants to be with me now.
You’ve caught me in a trap with no way out.
9Every day I beg for your help. Can’t you see my tears?
My eyes are swollen with weeping.
My arms are wide, longing for mercy, # 88:9 As translated from the Septuagint. The Greek reads “My hands are stretched out to you.”
but you’re nowhere to be found.
10How can those who are cut off from your care
even know that you are there?
Do departed spirits # 88:10 Or “Rephaites.” The Rephaites were giants that inhabited the region of Bashan east of the Jordan. See Deut. 2:11; 3:11; Josh. 12:4–5. rise up to praise you?
Pause in his presence
11Who can give thanks for your love in the graveyard?
Who preaches your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
12Does death’s darkness declare your miracles?
How can anyone who’s in the grave, where all is forgotten,
remember how you keep your promises?
13Lord, you know my prayer before I even whisper it. # 88:13 As translated from the Septuagint.
At each and every sunrise you will
continue to hear my cry until you answer.
14O Lord, why have you thrown my life away?
Will you keep turning the other way every time I call out to you?
15I’ve had to live in poverty and trouble all my life. # 88:15 As translated from the Septuagint. The Greek reads “close to death all my life.”
Now I’m humiliated, broken, and helpless before your terrors
and I can’t take it anymore.
16I’m overwhelmed by your burning anger.
I’ve taken the worst you could give me,
and I’m speechless before you.
17I’m drowning beneath the waves of this sorrow,
cut off with no one to help.
18All my loved ones and friends keep far away from me,
leaving me all alone with only darkness as my friend.
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Psalms 88: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 88
88
(A song and a psalm by the people of Korah for the music leader. To the tune “Mahalath Leannoth”.#Psalm 88 To…Leannoth: Or “For the flutes”, one possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. A special psalm by Heman the Ezrahite.)
A prayer when you can't find the way
1You keep me safe, LORD God.
So when I pray at night,
2please listen carefully
to each of my concerns.
3I am deeply troubled
and close to death;
4I am as good as dead
and completely helpless.
5I am no better off
than those in the grave,
those you have forgotten
and no longer help.
6You have put me in the deepest
and darkest grave;
7your anger rolls over me
like ocean waves.
8You have made my friends turn
in horror from me.
I am a prisoner
who cannot escape,
9and I am almost blind
because of my sorrow.
Each day I lift my hands
in prayer to you, LORD.
10Do you work miracles
for the dead?
Do they stand up
and praise you?
11Are your love and loyalty
announced in the world
of the dead?
12Do they know of your miracles
or your saving power
in the dark world below
where all is forgotten?
13Each morning I pray
to you, LORD.
14Why do you reject me?
Why do you turn from me?
15Ever since I was a child,
I have been sick
and close to death.
You have terrified me
and made me helpless.#88.15 and made me helpless: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
16Your anger is like a flood!
And I am shattered
by your furious attacks
17that strike each day
and from every side.
18My friends and neighbours
have turned against me
because of you,
and now darkness
is my only companion.
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© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012