---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 88"
description: "PSALM 88   :-. Upon Mahalath—either an instrument, as a lute,
to be used as an accompaniment (Leannoth, \"for singing\")
or, as others think, an enigmatic t"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/88"
---

PSALM 88

. *Upon Mahalath*—either an instrument, as a lute,
to be used as an accompaniment (*Leannoth,* "for singing")
or, as others think, an enigmatic title (see on , [Psalms 88:2](../../../kjv/psalms/88/2), and [Psalms 88:2](../../../kjv/psalms/88/2), titles), denoting the subject—that is, "sickness or
disease, for humbling," the idea of spiritual maladies being
often represented by disease (compare [Psalms 6:5](../../../kjv/psalms/6/5);
[Psalms 6:6](../../../kjv/psalms/6/6); [Psalms 22:14](../../../kjv/psalms/22/14);
[Psalms 22:15](../../../kjv/psalms/22/15), c.). On the other
terms, see on [Psalms 88:4](../../../kjv/psalms/88/4) and [Psalms 88:4](../../../kjv/psalms/88/4). Heman and Ethan (see on [Psalms 88:4](../../../kjv/psalms/88/4), title) were David's singers ([1 Chronicles 6:18](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/18)
[1 Chronicles 6:33](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/6/33); [1 Chronicles 15:17](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/15/17)),
of the family of Kohath. If the persons alluded to ([1 Kings 4:31](../../../kjv/1-kings/4/31);
[1 Chronicles 2:6](../../../kjv/1-chronicles/2/6)), they were probably
adopted into the tribe of Judah. Though called a song, which usually
implies joy ([Psalms 83:1](../../../kjv/psalms/83/1)), both the
style and matter of the Psalm are very despondent; yet the appeals to
God evince faith, and we may suppose that the word "song"
might be extended to such compositions.

**1, 2.** Compare on the terms used,
[Psalms 22:2](../../../kjv/psalms/22/2); [Psalms 31:2](../../../kjv/psalms/31/2).

**3. grave**—literally, "hell"
([Psalms 16:10](../../../kjv/psalms/16/10)), death in wide
sense.

**4. go . . . pit**—of destruction
([Psalms 28:1](../../../kjv/psalms/28/1)).
**as a man**—literally, "a
stout man," whose strength is utterly gone.

**5. Free . . . dead**—Cut off
from God's care, as are the slain, who, falling under His wrath, are
left, no longer sustained by His hand.

**6.** Similar figures for distress
in [Psalms 63:9](../../../kjv/psalms/63/9); [Psalms 69:3](../../../kjv/psalms/69/3).

**7.** Compare , on first, and [Psalms 42:7](../../../kjv/psalms/42/7),
on last clause.

**8.** Both cut off from sympathy
and made hateful to friends ().

**9. Mine eye mourneth**—literally,
"decays," or fails, denoting exhaustion ([Psalms 6:7](../../../kjv/psalms/6/7);
[Psalms 31:9](../../../kjv/psalms/31/9)).
**I . . . called**—
([Psalms 86:5](../../../kjv/psalms/86/5); [Psalms 86:7](../../../kjv/psalms/86/7)).
**stretched out**—for help
([Psalms 44:20](../../../kjv/psalms/44/20)).

**10. shall the dead**—the remains
of ghosts.
**arise**—literally, "rise
up," that is, as dead persons.

**11, 12.** amplify the foregoing,
the whole purport (as [Psalms 6:5](../../../kjv/psalms/6/5))
being to contrast death and life as seasons for praising God.

**13. prevent**—meet—that is, he
will diligently come before God for help ().

**14.** On the terms ([Psalms 27:9](../../../kjv/psalms/27/9);
[Psalms 74:1](../../../kjv/psalms/74/1); [Psalms 77:7](../../../kjv/psalms/77/7)).

**15. from . . . youth up**—all my
life.

**16, 17.** the extremes of anguish
and despair are depicted.

**18. into darkness**—Better omit
"into"—"mine acquaintances (are) darkness," the
gloom of death, c. ([Job 17:13](../../../kjv/job/17/13)
[Job 17:14](../../../kjv/job/17/14)).

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