Psalms 88:1

“O Lord God of my salvation, etc.] The author both of temporal and spiritual salvation; (see <191846>Psalm 18:46 24:5) from the experience the psalmist had had of the Lord’s working salvation for him in times past, he is encouraged to hope that he would appear for him, and help him out of his present distress; his faith was not so low, but that amidst all his darkness and dejection he could look upon the Lord as his God, and the God of salvation to him; so our Lord Jesus Christ, when deserted by his Father, still called him his God, and believed that he would help him, (<192201>Psalm 22:1 <230107>Isaiah 1:7-9). I have cried day and night before thee, or “in the day I have cried, and in the…”

“Of Ethan--(See on Psa 88:1, title). This Psalm was composed during some season of great national distress, perhaps Absalom's rebellion. It contrasts the promised prosperity and perpetuity of David's throne (with reference to the great promise of Sa2 7:12-17), with a time when God appeared to have forgotten His covenant. The picture thus drawn may typify the promises and the adversities of Christ's kingdom, and the terms of confiding appeal to God provided appropriate prayers for the divine aid and promised blessing. (Psa. 89:1-52) mercies--those promised (Isa 55:3; Act 13:34), and-- faithfulness--that is, in fulfilling them.”

“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. He had, as yet, obtained no answer, and he now pours out, and records, a more earnest petition to God. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Ps 88 In this lament, the psalmist sees himself as cast out from God’s presence. At first, he calls on the Lord. When he finds no relief from his suffering, he presents three charges against God (88:6-7, 8-12, 13-17). 88:title Heman the Ezrahite might be a sage from Solomon’s time (1 Kgs 4:31), a descendant of Judah (1 Chr 2:6), or a member of the Levitical family charged with singing at the Temple (1 Chr 15:17; 2 Chr 5:12). 88:1-5 The psalmist calls on the Lord for salvation.”

“Maschil: etc. or, A Psalm of Heman the Ezrahite, giving instruction, Supposed to have been written by Heman, son of Zerah, and grandson of Judah, on the oppression of the Hebrews in Egypt. Heman: Kg1 4:31; Ch1 2:6 Lord: Psa 27:1, Psa 27:9, Psa 51:14, Psa 62:7, Psa 65:5, Psa 68:19, Psa 79:9, Psa 140:7; Gen 49:18; Isa 12:2; Luk 1:47, Luk 2:30; Tit 2:10, Tit 2:13, Tit 3:4-7 I have: Psa 22:2, Psa 86:3; Neh 1:6; Isa 62:6; Luk 2:37, Luk 18:7; Th1 3:10; Ti2 1:3 Psalms 88:2”

“The poet finds himself in the midst of circumstances gloomy in the extreme, but he does not despair; he still turns towards Jahve with his complaints, and calls Him the God of his salvation. This actus directus of fleeing in prayer to the God of salvation, which urges its way through all that is dark and gloomy, is the fundamental characteristic of all true faith. Psa 88:2 is not to be rendered, as a clause of itself: "by day I cry unto Thee, in the night before Thee" (lxx and Targum), which ought to have been יומם, but (as it is also pointed, especially in Baer's text): by day, i.e., in the time ( Psa 56:4; Psa 78:42, cf. Psa 18:1), when I cry before Thee in the night, let my prayer come...…”