Ps 88:1-18. 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 Ps 5:1, Ps 22:1, and Ps 45:1, titles), denoting the subject--that is, "sickness or disease, for humbling," the idea of spiritual maladies being often represented by disease (compare Ps 6:5,6 22:14,15, &c.). On the other terms, see on Ps 42:1 and Ps 32:1. Heman and Ethan (see on Ps 89:1, title) were David's singers (1Ch 6:18,33 15:17), of the family of Kohath. If the persons alluded to (1Ki 4:31 1Ch 2:6), they were probably adopted into the tribe of Judah. Though called a song, which usually implies joy (Ps 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, Ps 22:2 31:2.

      3. grave--literally, "hell" (Ps 16:10), death in wide sense.

      4. go . . . pit--of destruction (Ps 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 Ps 63:9 69:3.

      7. Compare Ps 38:2, on first, and Ps 42:7, on last clause.

      8. Both cut off from sympathy and made hateful to friends (Ps 31:11).

      9. Mine eye mourneth--literally, "decays," or fails, denoting exhaustion (Ps 6:7 31:9).
      I . . . called--(Ps 86:5,7).
      stretched out--for help (Ps 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 Ps 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 (Ps 18:41).

      14. On the terms (Ps 27:9 74:1 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 17:13,14).

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