Psalms 88:1

"Psalms."

Key Reflection

The opening line of Psalm 88, "To the tune of 'The Suffering of Affliction,' a contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite," indicates that this psalm was composed during a time of intense suffering and distress. Heman, likely one of King David's sons who served as a musician and singer in the Temple (1 Chronicles 6:33-38), set this psalm to a specific melody associated with lament and anguish, suggesting that its original audience would have understood it as a prayer or song expressing deep sorrow and hardship.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

O Lord God of my salvation -On whom I depend for salvation; who alone canst save me. Luther renders this, “O God, my Saviour.” I have cried day and night before thee -literally, “By day I cried; by night before thee;” that is, my prayer is constantly before thee. The meaning is, that there was no intermission to his prayers; he prayed all the while. This does not refer to the general habit of his life, but to the time of his sickness. He had prayed most earnestly and constantly that he might be delivered from sickness and from the dangers of death.

More from Psalms 88

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion