Comments on Psalm 88
- Stefan Matzal
- Jun 22, 2024
- 2 min read
From various commentators:
The Psalm as a Whole
There is no sadder prayer in the Psalter. --Derek Kidner
Long trails of suffering and loss traverse the landscape of human existence, even for the devoted people of God. There are cold, wintry nights of the soul, when bleakness fills every horizon, and darkness seems nearly complete. --Daniel Estes citing Tate
Verses 1-9a
"God of my salvation" (v. 1) is the only positive note in the psalm... apart from the crucial fact that he continues to pray. --Derek Kidner
For the psalmist, death is not just... a state at the end of life. In his affliction and loss of strength, he is already at the threshold of Sheol. --James L. Mays
Verses 9b-12
"Every day I call upon you, O Lord" (v 9); True faith is not an apathetic acceptance of whatever comes to pass. True faith lies in wrestling with the Lord in prayer." --Daniel Estes citing Willem VanGemeren
The whole character of death is negative: it is the last word in inactivity, silence, the severing of ties, corruption, gloom, oblivion. The New Testament concurs, calling it the last enemy. --Derek Kidner
Verses 13-18
Even as the psalmist feels abandoned by the Lord, he persists in addressing him directly, suggesting that he does not give up on the Lord even when it appears that the Lord has given up on him. --Daniel Estes
The cry, "darkness!" is a challenge to Yahweh... to put an end to this anti-God state of things and at last to show himself as the one He is. --Hossfeld & Zenger
Relationship to the New Testament
The psalm reminds us of the limits set for praying that is not based on the knowledge that God raised Messiah Jesus from the grave. This Old Testament prayer sounds like a cry to hear that good news as its answer. --James L. Mays
Lee Southwick's Poem
A few months ago, Lee showed me a poem he had written, and it reminded me of Psalm 88. I appreciate Lee's poem in the way it can help us catch a glimpse of the inner life of someone who has lost a beloved spouse of many years.
(SCM)
Photo by Jari Hytönen on Unsplash
This is such a moving reflection on Psalm 88. It really highlights that universal human need for peace and a reprieve from the 'noise' of life’s struggles. I often think about how important it is to create a quiet space for reflection, whether that is spiritual or physical. In my own line of work, we strive to create that same sense of calm on the water using Marine soundproofing. Finding the right Marine Noise Insulation can truly transform a chaotic environment into a sanctuary. Thank you for this thoughtful piece.
This reflection on Psalm 88 is incredibly moving. It’s a powerful reminder that persisting in prayer—even when met with silence or "wintry nights of the soul"—is a profound act of faith. The way the commentators highlight the struggle between despair and the persistent cry for salvation offers a lot of comfort to anyone currently navigating their own season of darkness. While reflecting on these themes of endurance and the human experience, I’ve also been exploring a thought-provoking Book series that delves into similar emotional depths. For those who appreciate narratives with a strong sense of hope amidst struggle, like the Black Angel stories, it provides a meaningful way to engage with these complex feelings. Thank you for sharing such a deep and resonant study!
This reflection on Psalm 88 is incredibly moving. It’s a powerful reminder that persisting in prayer—even when met with silence or 'wintry nights of the soul'—is a profound act of faith. The way the commentators highlight the struggle between despair and the persistent cry for salvation offers a lot of comfort to anyone currently navigating their own season of darkness.
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This exploration of Psalm 88 is deeply moving. It is a powerful reminder that "wrestling with the Lord" through bleakness and silence is, in itself, an act of true faith. Seeing how various commentators highlight the persistent cry for salvation in the midst of "cold, wintry nights of the soul" provides much-needed perspective for anyone navigating their own seasons of darkness.
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