What is the main message of Psalm 88?

Psalm 88 is one of the most somber and haunting passages in the Book of Psalms. Unlike many other psalms that begin with lament but end with praise or hope, Psalm 88 is unique in its unrelenting tone of despair and darkness. It is a poignant reminder of the depths of human suffering and the feeling of abandonment that can sometimes accompany it. To understand the main message of Psalm 88, one must delve deeply into its words and the emotions it conveys.

Psalm 88 is attributed to Heman the Ezrahite, a wise man and musician in the time of King David. The psalm opens with a cry to God, "O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you" (Psalm 88:1, ESV). This opening line establishes the psalmist's relationship with God and his persistent prayer, indicating that despite his suffering, he still acknowledges God's sovereignty and seeks His intervention.

As the psalm progresses, Heman describes his afflictions in vivid detail. He feels as if his soul is full of troubles and his life is drawing near to Sheol, the realm of the dead (Psalm 88:3). He is counted among those who go down to the pit, like one without strength, abandoned among the dead (Psalm 88:4-5). These verses paint a picture of a man who feels utterly forsaken and on the brink of death.

One of the most striking aspects of Psalm 88 is the psalmist's sense of isolation. He laments that God has put him in the depths of the pit, in regions dark and deep (Psalm 88:6). He feels overwhelmed by God's wrath and believes that God has caused his friends to shun him, making him a horror to them (Psalm 88:7-8). This sense of abandonment is compounded by the feeling that God is distant and unresponsive to his cries for help.

The psalmist's anguish is further expressed in verses 9-12, where he questions whether the dead can praise God or declare His steadfast love. He asks, "Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?" (Psalm 88:11-12, ESV). These rhetorical questions highlight the psalmist's desperation and his fear that his suffering will prevent him from experiencing and proclaiming God's goodness.

Despite the overwhelming darkness, the psalmist continues to cry out to God, demonstrating a persistent faith even in the face of silence and despair. He says, "But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you" (Psalm 88:13, ESV). This persistence is a testament to his belief that only God can deliver him from his suffering, even if he cannot see or feel God's presence at the moment.

The concluding verses of Psalm 88 are perhaps the most heart-wrenching. The psalmist laments that God has rejected him and hidden His face from him, causing him to be afflicted and close to death from his youth (Psalm 88:14-15). He feels surrounded by terrors and engulfed in darkness, with his only companions being darkness itself (Psalm 88:16-18). This ending leaves the reader with a profound sense of the psalmist's unrelieved suffering and isolation.

The main message of Psalm 88 can be understood as an honest and raw expression of human suffering and the feeling of divine abandonment. It serves as a reminder that even the most faithful believers can experience profound despair and that it is permissible to bring these feelings before God. Unlike other psalms that resolve with a note of hope or praise, Psalm 88 remains in the depths of lament, reflecting the reality that not all suffering is quickly or easily resolved.

In the broader context of the Bible, Psalm 88 contributes to the understanding of the human condition and the complexities of faith. It acknowledges that there are times when God's presence may feel distant and His intervention delayed. However, the psalmist's continued cry to God, despite the lack of immediate relief, underscores a deep-seated faith that God is still the ultimate source of salvation, even when He seems silent.

Psalm 88 also invites readers to consider the communal aspect of suffering. The psalmist's sense of isolation is compounded by the loss of friends and the feeling of being shunned. This highlights the importance of community and support in times of distress. For contemporary readers, it serves as a call to be present for those who are suffering and to provide a compassionate and understanding presence.

Moreover, Psalm 88 can be seen as a precursor to the suffering of Christ. Jesus, in His humanity, experienced profound anguish and a sense of abandonment, particularly in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross when He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, ESV). In this way, Psalm 88 foreshadows the ultimate expression of suffering and abandonment that Jesus endured for the sake of humanity.

In Christian literature, Psalm 88 has been referenced by various theologians and writers to discuss the nature of suffering and the dark night of the soul. For instance, St. John of the Cross, a 16th-century Spanish mystic, wrote about the "dark night of the soul," a period of spiritual desolation and suffering that ultimately leads to a deeper union with God. Psalm 88 resonates with this concept, as it portrays a soul in deep distress, yet still reaching out to God.

In conclusion, the main message of Psalm 88 is the honest portrayal of human suffering and the feeling of divine abandonment. It acknowledges the depths of despair that believers can experience and emphasizes the importance of bringing these emotions before God, even when He seems distant. Psalm 88 serves as a reminder that faith can persist in the darkest of times and that God's presence is not always immediately felt, but His sovereignty and salvation remain. It also calls the community of believers to support one another in times of suffering and to recognize the profound connection between human suffering and the suffering of Christ.