The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Abomination” it comes from the Hebrew Word “to’evah” which means “abomination, something detestable.”
This uniquely dark psalm expresses profound despair without reaching any resolution or comfort. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Psalm 88.
The psalmist declares, “O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave,” describing himself as counted with those who go down into the pit, a man with no strength.
The psalmist describes feeling utterly free among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom God remembers no more, laid in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps, God’s wrath lying hard upon him, afflicting him with all His waves, putting his acquaintance far from him, making him an “abomination,” “to’evah” in Hebrew, to them, being shut up and unable to come forth, his eye mourning by reason of affliction.
The psalmist asks whether God will show wonders to the dead, whether the dead shall arise and praise Him, whether His lovingkindness shall be declared in the grave, or His faithfulness in destruction, continuing to cry to God, wondering why He casts off his soul, and hides His face from him, describing himself as afflicted and ready to die from his youth up, God’s terrors having cut him off, closing with the stark, unresolved final line, “Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness,” this psalm remaining remarkable and unique among the entire Psalter for offering no resolution, comfort, or turn toward hope by its very end.
This psalm’s uniquely unresolved darkness, ending without any turn toward hope or comfort unlike nearly every other lament in the Psalter, gives genuine, important permission for prayer that simply sits honestly within real despair without forcing artificial resolution. Its inclusion within Scripture itself validates that not every season of genuine anguish resolves quickly or neatly, and such prayers still belong authentically within a life of real faith.
Visit Us At: www.youtube.com/@BibleLifeBasics
Support Us On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BibleLifeBasics