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Psalms 88:10

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 88:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall they that are decreased arise and praise thee? Selah” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall they that are decreased arise and praise thee? Selah
Psalms 88:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 88

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, And thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah
8Thou hast put mine acquaintance far from me; Thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
9Mine eye wasteth away by reason of affliction: I have called daily upon thee, O Jehovah; I have spread forth my hands unto thee.
10Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall they that are decreased arise and praise thee? Selah
11Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or thy faithfulness in Destruction?
12Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? And thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13But unto thee, O Jehovah, have I cried; And in the morning shall my prayer come before thee.
← Psalms 88:9Psalms 88:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? - The wonders - or the things suited to excite admiration - which the living behold. Shall the dead see those things which here tend to excite reverence for thee, and which lead people to worship thee? The idea is that the dead will be cut off from all the privileges which attend the living on earth; or, that those in the grave cannot contemplate the character and the greatness of God. He urges this as a reason why he should be rescued. The sentiment here is substantially the same as in Psalms 6:5. See the notes at that passage. Compare Isaiah 38:18. Shall the dead arise and praise thee? - The original word, here rendered “the dead,” is Rephaim - רפאים…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wonders - In raising them to life. To praise thee - In this world? Psalms 88:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Wilt thou: The interrogations in these verses imply the strongest negations. Psa 6:5, Psa 30:9, Psa 115:17, Psa 118:17; Isa 38:18, Isa 38:19; Mar 5:35, Mar 5:36 shall: Job 14:7-12; Isa 26:19; Eze 37:1-14; Luk 7:12-16; Co1 15:52-57 Psalms 88:11”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 88 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification