Psalms 88:1 - Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

Psalms 88:1

A Prayer for Help in Despondency

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite.

1 O Lord, ^aGod of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You.

2 Let my prayer come before You;
¹Incline Your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of troubles,
And my life ^adraws near to the grave.

4 I am counted with those who ^ago down to the pit;
^bI am like a man who has no strength,

5 ¹Adrift among the dead,
Like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom You remember no more,
And who are cut off from Your hand.

Commentaries:

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

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Psalms 88:1-2

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 Psalms 5:1, Psalms 22:1, and Psalms 45:1, titles), denoting the subject—that is, "sickness or disease, for humbling," the idea of spiritual maladies being often represented by disease (compare Psalms 6:5-6; Psalms 22:14-15, etc.). On the other terms, see on Psalms 42:1 and Psalms 32:1. Heman and Ethan (see on Psalms 89:1, title) were David's singers (I Chronicles 6:18, I Chronicles 6:33; I Chronicles 15:17), of the family of Kohath. If the persons alluded to (I Kings 4:31; I Chronicles 2:6), they were probably adopted into the tribe of Judah. Though called a song, which usually implies joy (Psalms 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. (Psa. 88:1-18)

Compare on the terms used, Psalms 22:2; Psalms 31:2.

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A Prayer for Help in Despondency

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite.

Psalms 88:1-2

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning