Psalms 88:4
Psalms 88:4 in Multiple Translations
I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength.
I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
I am reckoned with them that go down into the pit; I am as a man that hath no help,
I am numbered among those who go down into the earth; I have become like a man for whom there is no help:
I'm counted among the dying; a man with no strength.
I am counted among them that go downe vnto the pit, and am as a man without strength:
I have been reckoned with those going down [to] the pit, I have been as a man without strength.
I am counted among those who go down into the pit. I am like a man who has no help,
I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant:
Because I have no more strength, other people also consider that I will soon die.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 88:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 88:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
שָֽׂבְעָ֣ה
בְ/רָע֣וֹת
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
וְ/חַיַּ֗/י
לִ/שְׁא֥וֹל
הִגִּֽיעוּ
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
שָֽׂבְעָ֣ה
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
בְ/רָע֣וֹת
raʻ
H7451
bad
Prep | N-fp
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
וְ/חַיַּ֗/י
chay
H2416
alive
Conj | N-mp | Suff
לִ/שְׁא֥וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
hell
Prep | N-proper
הִגִּֽיעוּ
nâgaʻ
H5060
to touch
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 88:4
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
שָֽׂבְעָ֣ה
sâbaʻ
H7646
"to satisfy"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
בְ/רָע֣וֹת
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Prep | N-fp
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
נַפְשִׁ֑/י
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וְ/חַיַּ֗/י
chay
H2416
"alive"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
לִ/שְׁא֥וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
"hell"
Prep | N-proper
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit 1a) the underworld 1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead 1b1) place of no return 1b2) without praise of God 1b3) wicked sent there for punishment 1b4) righteous not abandoned to it 1b5) of the place of exile (fig) 1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: grave, hell, pit. See also: Genesis 37:35; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 6:6.
הִגִּֽיעוּ
nâgaʻ
H5060
"to touch"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to touch or reach something, and can also mean to strike or defeat someone. It is used in Exodus to describe God's power and in Psalms to describe human emotions. The word has various translations, including beat, bring, and plague.
Definition: 1) to touch, reach, strike 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to touch 1a2) to strike 1a3) to reach, extend to 1a4) to be stricken 1a4a) stricken (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated 1c) (Piel) to strike 1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease) 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive 1e1) to cause to touch, apply 1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come 1e3) to approach (of time) 1e4) to befall (of fate)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. See also: Genesis 3:3; 2 Chronicles 3:12; Psalms 32:6.
Study Notes — Psalms 88:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 88:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 88:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 88:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 88:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 88:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
- Sermons on Psalms 88:4
Context — I Cry Out before You
2May my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry.
3For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.
4I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength.
5I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. 6You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 28:1 | To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit. |
| 2 | 2 Corinthians 1:9 | Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. |
| 3 | Psalms 143:7 | Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit. |
| 4 | Isaiah 38:17–18 | Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. |
| 5 | Psalms 31:12 | I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel. |
| 6 | Jonah 2:6 | To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God! |
| 7 | Job 17:1 | “My spirit is broken; my days are extinguished; the grave awaits me. |
| 8 | Romans 5:6 | For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 26:20 | then I will bring you down with those who descend to the Pit, to the people of antiquity. I will make you dwell in the earth below like the ancient ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will no longer be inhabited or set in splendor in the land of the living. |
| 10 | 2 Corinthians 13:4 | For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you. |
Psalms 88:4 Summary
[Psalms 88:4 means that the psalmist feels like he is being pulled down into a deep, dark place, like a pit, and he doesn't have the strength to climb out. This is a feeling of being completely overwhelmed and helpless, similar to what is described in Psalms 30:3. But even in this dark place, God is still with us, as seen in Psalms 23:4, and He can give us the strength we need to keep going, as promised in Isaiah 40:29.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be counted among those descending to the Pit?
In Psalms 88:4, the Pit refers to a place of darkness and death, similar to Sheol in Psalms 88:3, emphasizing the depth of the psalmist's emotional and spiritual distress, as seen in Psalms 30:3 where God delivers His people from the Pit.
Why does the psalmist feel like a man without strength?
The psalmist feels like a man without strength because he is overwhelmed by his troubles, as mentioned in Psalms 88:3, and feels unable to escape or overcome them on his own, a feeling also expressed in Isaiah 40:29 where God gives strength to the weary.
Is the psalmist's situation hopeless?
Although the psalmist feels hopeless, as seen in Psalms 88:4, the Bible teaches that even in the darkest of times, God is still present and able to deliver, as seen in Psalms 23:4 where God is with us even in the valley of the shadow of death.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by recognizing that everyone experiences times of weakness and distress, but as Christians, we can trust in God's power and presence, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 where God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I feel like I am descending into the Pit, and how can I turn to God for help?
- In what ways do I feel weak or overwhelmed, and how can I trust in God's strength to carry me through?
- How can I use my experiences of darkness and distress to minister to others who may be going through similar struggles?
- What are some ways I can remind myself of God's presence and power when I am feeling hopeless or weak?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 88:4
I am counted with them that go down into the pit,.... With the dead, with them that are worthy of death, with malefactors that are judicially put to death, and are not laid in a common grave, but put
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 88:4
I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: I am counted with them that go down into the pit - I am reckoned among them as one of them (Psalms 28:1).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
I am given up by my friends and acquaintance for a lost man.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
Psalms 88:4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man [that hath] no strength:Ver. 4. I am counted with them, &c.] I am looked upon as irrecoverable, given up for desperate. Conclamatum est. I am as a man that hath no strength] A man no man; weak as water, ακιαςαναρανθρωπος.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
(4) As a man . . .—Rather, like a hero whose strength is gone.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
Verse 4. I am counted with them, c.] I am as good as dead nearly destitute of life and hope.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 88:4
4. He is regarded as a dying man. The pit is the grave or Sheol. Cp. Psalms 28:1; Psalms 143:7; Psalms 22:29; Proverbs 1:12. that hath no strength] Like the feeble shadows of the dead. Or as R.V., that hath no help: cp. the cognate word in Psalms 22:19, rendered in R.V., O thou my succour.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 88:4
I am counted with them that go down into the pit - I am so near to death that I may be reckoned already as among the dead.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 88:4
4. I am counted—I am already reckoned among the dead. The pit— Another word for grave, and equal to sheol, Psalms 88:3. See Psalms 88:6. As a man that hath no strength—Literally, As a strong man, or warrior, without strength.
Sermons on Psalms 88:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Valley Exalted, and the Mountain Laid Low by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches on the prophecy from Isaiah 40:4-5, emphasizing the figurative language of obstacles being removed for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. He delves into the |
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Passion Prayer by Stewart Ruch | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story of a family vacation where they faced a perilous situation with their van breaking down. The speaker emphasizes the importance o |
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When Heaven Is Silent by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the challenging experience of silence from heaven during prayer, emphasizing that it can be a time of instruction, conviction, and character building. He en |
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Ask the Hard Questions by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman emphasizes the necessity of asking hard questions in our spiritual lives, drawing from Psalms 28, 29, and 30. He highlights the importance of meditating on God's Word |
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The Stone of Salvation or Destruction by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar explores the multifaceted significance of the 'stone' in Matthew 21:44, emphasizing its role as a symbol of Christ. He discusses how this stone represents rejection, |
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Be Thou Perfect! by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes God's call to Abraham to 'walk before Me, and be thou perfect,' highlighting the importance of whole-hearted devotion to God. He reflects on the long silence |
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Psalm 28 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches on the power of earnest prayer leading to exulting praise. He emphasizes the importance of unwavering prayer, reminding believers to continuously seek God's grac |