Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · Psalms Chapter 88

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.

3. grave--literally, "hell"

(Ps 16:10),

death in wide sense.

4. go . . . pit--of destruction

(Ps 28:1).

as a man--literally, "a stout man," whose strength is utterly gone.

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.

6. Similar figures for distress in

Ps 63:9; 69:3.

7. Compare

Ps 38:2,

on first, and

Ps 42:7,

on last clause.

8. Both cut off from sympathy and made hateful to friends

(Ps 31:11).

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).

10. shall the dead--the remains of ghosts.

arise--literally, "rise up," that is, as dead persons.

11, 12. amplify the foregoing, the whole purport (as

Ps 6:5)

being to contrast death and life as seasons for praising God.

13. prevent--meet--that is, he will diligently come before God for help

(Ps 18:41).

14. On the terms

(Ps 27:9; 74:1; 77:7).

15. from . . . youth up--all my life.

16, 17. the extremes of anguish and despair are depicted.

18. into darkness--Better omit "into"--"mine acquaintances (are) darkness," the gloom of death, &c.

(Job 17:13, 14).