PSALM LXXXVIII _The earnest prayer of a person in deep distress, abandoned by_ _his friends and neighbours, and apparently forsaken of God_, 1-18. NOTES ON PSALM LXXXVIII Perhaps the _title_ of this Psalm, which is difficult enough, might be thus translated: "A Poem to be sung to the conqueror... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:2. _LET MY PRAYER COME BEFORE THEE_] It is weak and helpless, though fervent and sincere: take all hinderances out of its way, and let it have a free passage to thy throne. One of the finest thoughts in the Iliad of _Homer_ concerns prayer; I shall transcribe a principal part of this... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:4. _I AM COUNTED WITH THEM, C._] I am as good as dead nearly destitute of life and hope.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:5. _FREE AMONG THE DEAD_] במתים צפשי _bammethim chophshi_, I rather think, means _stripped among the dead_. Both the _fourth_ and _fifth_ verses seem to allude to a _field of battle_: the _slain_ and the _wounded_, are found scattered over the plain; the _spoilers_ come among them,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:7. _THOU HAST AFFLICTED_ ME _WITH ALL THY WAVES._] The figures in this verse seem to be taken from a tempest at sea. The storm is fierce, and the waves cover the ship.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:8. _THOU HAST MADE ME AN ABOMINATION_] This verse has been supposed to express the _state of a leper_, who, because of the infectious nature of his disease, is _separated_ from his _family _- is _abominable_ to all, and at last _shut up_ in a _separate house_, whence he does not _com... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:10. _WILT THOU SHOW WONDERS TO THE DEAD!_] מתים _methim, dead_ _men_. _SHALL THE DEAD_] רפאים _rephaim_, "the manes or departed spirits." _ARISE_ AND _PRAISE THEE?_] Any more in this life? The _interrogations_ in this and the two following verses imply the strongest _negations_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:11. OR _THY FAITHFULNESS IN DESTRUCTION?_] _Faithfulness_ in God refers as well to his _fulfilling his threatenings_ as to his _keeping his promises_. The wicked are threatened with such _punishments_ as their crimes have deserved; but _annihilation_ is no _punishment_. God therefore... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:12. _THE LAND OF FORGETFULNESS?_] The place of _separate_ _spirits_, or the _invisible world_. The heathens had some notion of this state. They feigned a river in the invisible world, called _Lethe_, ληθη, which signifies _oblivion_, and that those who drank of it remembered no more... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:13. _SHALL MY PRAYER PREVENT THEE._] It shall get _before_ thee; I will not wait till the accustomed time to offer my morning sacrifice, I shall call on thee long before others come to offer their devotions.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:14. _WHY CASTEST THOU OFF MY SOUL?_] Instead of _my soul_, several of the ancient _Versions_ have _my prayer_. Why dost thou refuse to _hear_ me, and thus abandon me to _death_?... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:15. _FROM_ MY _YOUTH UP._] I have always been a child of sorrow, afflicted in my body, and distressed in my mind. There are still found in the Church of God persons in similar circumstances; persons who are continually mourning for themselves and for the desolations of Zion. A dispos... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:16. _THY FIERCE WRATH GOETH OVER ME._] It is a mighty flood by which I am overwhelmed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:17. _THEY CAME ROUND ABOUT ME DAILY LIKE WATER_] Besides his spiritual conflicts, he had many enemies to grapple with. The waves of God's displeasure broke over him, and his enemies came around him like water, increasing more and more, rising higher and higher, till he was at last on... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 88:18. _LOVER AND FRIEND_] I have no comfort, and neither _friend_ nor _neighbour_ to sympathize with me. _MINE ACQUAINTANCE INTO DARKNESS._] All have forsaken me; or מידעי מחשך _meyuddai machsach_, "Darkness is my companion." Perhaps he may refer to the _death_ of his acquaintances; a... [ Continue Reading ]