Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by darkness and despair, wondering if God hears your cries?
Psalm 88 gives voice to the deep anguish and reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is still present.
Key Verse: “But to You I have cried out, O Lord, and in the morning my prayer comes before You.” – Psalm 88:13 (NKJV)
Background Context: Psalm 88 is a lament, attributed to Heman the Ezrahite, known for its somber tone and expression of deep sorrow. Unlike other psalms of lament, it ends without a resolution of hope, highlighting the intensity of the psalmist’s suffering and sense of abandonment. This psalm provides a raw and honest depiction of human despair and the struggle to maintain faith in God amid overwhelming darkness.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
A Petition to Be Saved from Death.
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director; according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.
1O LORD, the God of my salvation,
I have cried out by day and in the night before You.
2Let my prayer come before You;
Incline Your ear to my cry!
3For my soul has had enough troubles,
And my life has drawn near to Sheol.
4I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit;
I have become like a man without strength,
5Forsaken among the dead,
Like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom You remember no more,
And they are cut off from Your hand.
6You have put me in the lowest pit,
In dark places, in the depths.
7Your wrath has rested upon me,
And You have afflicted me with all Your waves.
8You have removed my acquaintances far from me;
You have made me an object of loathing to them;
I am shut up and cannot go out.
9My eye has wasted away because of affliction;
I have called upon You every day, O LORD;
I have spread out my hands to You.
10Will You perform wonders for the dead?
Will the departed spirits rise and praise You?
11Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave,
Your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help,
And in the morning my prayer comes before You.
14O LORD, why do You reject my soul?
Why do You hide Your face from me?
15I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on;
I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome.
16Your burning anger has passed over me;
Your terrors have destroyed me.
17They have surrounded me like water all day long;
They have encompassed me altogether.
18You have removed lover and friend far from me;
My acquaintances are in darkness.
Reflection on Psalm 88:
- A Cry of Despair: The psalmist begins by crying out to the Lord day and night, seeking His presence and intervention (Psalm 88:1-2). This persistent prayer reflects a deep desperation and a longing for God’s attention.
- Overwhelmed by Trouble: The psalmist describes his soul as full of troubles and his life drawing near to the grave (Psalm 88:3). He feels isolated, abandoned, and surrounded by darkness (Psalm 88:4-6). This vivid imagery portrays a profound sense of hopelessness.
- Perceived Abandonment: The psalmist feels cut off from God’s care, with God’s wrath resting heavily upon him (Psalm 88:7). Friends and loved ones have also deserted him, leaving him alone in his suffering (Psalm 88:8). This emphasizes the depth of his isolation and emotional pain.
- Persistent Prayer: Despite his anguish, the psalmist continues to cry out to God, questioning why God hides His face and rejects his pleas (Psalm 88:9-14). This persistent prayer, even in doubt and despair, demonstrates a deep-seated faith that refuses to let go.
- The Depths of Despair: The psalm concludes with a stark depiction of the psalmist’s ongoing suffering and sense of abandonment (Psalm 88:15-18). There is no resolution, leaving the reader with a powerful sense of the psalmist’s enduring anguish.
Summary Key Points:
- Honest Expression of Despair: Psalm 88 teaches us that it is okay to bring our deepest sorrows and questions to God, honestly expressing our pain.
- Persistent Prayer in Darkness: Even when God seems distant, we are encouraged to continue praying and seeking His presence.
- Faith Amidst Hopelessness: The psalmist’s continued cries to God, despite feeling abandoned, demonstrate a resilient faith that trusts in God’s presence even in silence.
Application: In our own times of darkness and despair, let us remember that it is okay to bring our honest feelings to God. We are encouraged to persist in prayer, even when answers are not immediately forthcoming. Let us trust that God is present in our suffering, and continue to seek Him, knowing that our cries do not go unheard.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, in our times of deepest despair, help us to remember that You are still present. Give us the courage to bring our honest feelings and struggles before You, trusting that You hear our cries. Strengthen our faith to persist in prayer, even when You seem silent. Surround us with Your love and comfort, and remind us that You are with us in every moment of our suffering. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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