Psalm 88:1-4 A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. "O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: (2) Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; (3) For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. (4) I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength"
I've said this before and I will say it again (and probably more times before
we get to the end of the Psalms) - I love the Psalms because I can surely
identify with them. Most Psalms start in a low place and as the writer
expresses his thoughts, the Lord begins to lift him up out of that dry
place. Though this entire Psalm is a fervent cry unto the Lord, the
Psalmist tells us specifically in three verses that he cried daily unto the
Lord. Just a few Psalms ago, we were reminded that God always hears our
prayers. I believe that with all my heart. I know you do also. But if we are
honest with ourselves, there are times when our humanity makes us wonder if He
truly hears us. If I'm the only one that feels that way, will you please pray
for me? The writer of this Psalm was in a deep and dark place in life. He felt
he had been cast away from everyone else and was facing life's struggles by
himself. He was depressed, lonely, and felt that even God had cast him away,
"But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer
prevent thee." (Psalm 88:13) Though he was persistent in prayer, he could
not sense that God was listening or answering. He thought he was feeling the
fierce wrath of God upon himself. Today's Psalm is in the form of a dirge, a
song or hymn of grief or lamentation; especially : one intended to accompany
funeral or memorial rites. Let's face it, not all days are milk and honey days.
There are times when we feel the weight of the world is upon our shoulders. But
again, the writer of today's Psalm cried unto the Lord on three occasions
during these 18 verses. Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three
days. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Jesus was in the tomb for three
days and nights. There are three in the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
It is at this moment that I am reminded of Psalm 30:5, "For his anger
endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 88 is a song of sadness, but
just as Jonah came out of the whale, Peter confessed his love for Jesus three
times, and Jesus came out of the tomb, we will see in Psalm 89 that joy drives
away the darkness. Praise our Heavenly Father for His glorious grace and mercy.