Psalms 88

Psalms 88:1

Title. A song or psalm] See Notes on the title of psal. 48.

for] Or, of.

Mahalath Leannath] On a winde-instrument, to sing by courses, as Exodus 15:21. Ezra 3:11. See Notes on the title of psal. 5. Or, of the disease afflicting.

Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite] Or, a psalm of Heman the Ezrahite, giving instruction.

Heman the Ezrahite] See 1 Kings 4:31.

I Have cried day and night] Though many crie in their sorrows, yet they crie not earnestly to God for remedy, as he did, who confesseth God to be the author of his salvation.

Psalms 88:2

Let my prayer come before thee] The word, prayer, signifieth the matter, that he had just occasion to complain to God of his enemies hard usage of him: and the word, crie, signifieth the manner, that is, the earnestnesse of his prayer.

Psalms 88:3

full of troubles] Psalms 123:3.

Psalms 88:5

Free among the dead] No more regarded then a man dead and buried, psal 31. 12.

from thy hand] Rather, by thy hand, because he speaks of men slain.

Psalms 88:7

with all thy waves] The storms of thy wrath have overwhelmed me, psal. 42. 7.

waves] Psalms 42:7.

Psalms 88:8

mine acquaintance] He attributeth the losse and displeasure of his friends to Gods providence, whereby he partly punisheth, and partly trieth his.

far from me] Job 19:13. Psalms 31:11. and Psalms 142:4.

an abomination unto them] Heb. abominations: that is, most abominable.

I am shut up] I see none end of my sorrows.

Psalms 88:9

Mine eye mourneth] Mine eyes and face declare my sorrows.

Psalms 88:10

Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead?] He sheweth, that the time is more convenient for God to help, when men call unto him in their dangers, then to tarry till they be dead, and then raise them up again, psal. 6. 5.

Psalms 88:12

in the land of forgetfulnesse?] In the grave, where men forget all that was done here, Job 14:21. and they that are alive forget them that are dead, Job 24:10.

Psalms 88:13

in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee] Psalms 5:3.

Psalms 88:15

from my youth up] I am ever in great dangers and sorrows, as though my life should be cut off every moment.

Psalms 88:17

daily] Or, all the day.

Psalms 88:18

Lover and friend hast thou put far from me] Psalms 38:11.