The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 209

EXPOSITION. PSALM LXXXVIII. Ullto the grave; literally, unto Sheol-the place of departed spirits (comp. Job x. 21, Tm,; most monrnfnl of all the psalms. After 22). one almost formal" word of trnst" (ver. la), Ver. 4.-I am COUllted with them that go the remainder is a continuous bitter cry of down into the pit; i.e. "t.o the grave." I am reckoned as one just about to die. I am as a complaint, rising at times into expostula- man that hath no strength. All my strength tion (vers. 10-12), and almost into reproach is departed from me; I am utterly feeble (ver. 14). The tone is that of the earlier and weak-a mere shadow of my former complaints of Job; and Job has been sup- self. Physical weakness, something like posed by some t.o be tbe writer. Bnt this paralysis, seems t.o be meant. Ver. 5.-Free among the dead; or, "ca.st is highly improbable. We may accept the out among the dead." Placed with corpses, statement of the title, that the monody was as one that needs burial. Like the slain written by Heman the Ezrahite, who was that lie in the grave. Like those who are a contemporary of Solomon (I Kings iv. 31). thrown into a pit dug on a battle-field, It has no appearance of being composed at among whom there are often some who have not breathed their last (see the a time of national affliction. All the com• Prayer-book Version). Whom thou remeni- plaints are personal, and indicate long- berest no more. We have already heard continued p,inona.l suffering. The writer the complaint that in death there is no seems to be without hope. Still, he does remembrance of God on the pa.rt of man not fall away from God. but continues to (Ps. vi. 5); now we have the converse statement, that neither is there then any call upon him and pray to him (vers. 1, 2, remembrance of man on the pa.rt of God. 9, 13). The psalmist speaks, not absolute truth, Metrically, the psalm is almost without but the belief of hid day-a belief which divisions-" a slow, unbroken wail," ex- vanished when life and immortality were presaive of" the monotony of woe." brought to light by the gospel. And they are cnt off from thy he.nd; i.e. severed from Ver. 1.-0 Lord God of my salvation. thee, shut up in a pie.co where thou dwell- This is the one "word of trust," which est not (see Job x. 21, 22). 11ome get rid of by au emendation. But Ver. 6.-Thon be.et la.id me in the lowest the Septuagint supports the existing Hebrew pit. The affliction whereof the psalmist text; and it is in harmony with the rest of compl ...ins has come direct from the he.nd Scripture. The se.ints of God never despair. of God. It is some severe stroke of I have oried day and ni.rrht before thee; illness which has brought him to his lo.at literally, by day lw:oe I cried-by night ge.sp. Tbe "lowest pit" is here meto.phori- before thee; a trembling, gasping utterance ce.1-the deepest depth of co.lamity. In (Kay). darkness; litere.lly, in darknesses, where Ver. 2.-Let my prayer oome before thee I no ray of thy favour shines upon me. In incline thine ear 11llto my cry (comp. Ps. the deeps (comp. Pd. lxix. 2, "deep waters, lxxxvi. 1, 6). where the floods overflow him "). Ver. 3.-J'or my I01ll ii full of troubles Ver. 7.-Thy wrath lieth ho.rd upon me, (sec Job x. 16). And my life draweth Digh Here the canse of all the psalmist's suffer- PB. LXXXVIII. 1-18.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. 231