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I’m almost finished writing about all the psalms for “Psalms On Saturday,” but I’ve been avoiding Psalm 88.
Why?
It’s a psalm of trouble, sickness, defeat, and the betrayal of friends — yes, a psalm about a lifetime of trouble, sickness, defeat, and the betrayal of friends.
We would think that such a desultory psalm would end with a great verse on the victory of God. But Psalm 88 concludes with darkness.
The last verse. . .
You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend (v. 18, NLT).
Compare this verse with the last verse of another psalm about suffering. . .
For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies (Psalm 54:7).
No ending victory or praise in Psalm 88, just a mention of friends forsaking in an hour of need, leaving us in utter darkness. That’s the tone of this psalm. It took me years to realize that the defeat of this psalm forms a dark backdrop to faith, but also that a pinprick of light (our enduring faith) shines brightly in the midst of darkness.
Let’s consider the darkness of Psalm 88. . .
For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near (v. 3).
I am forgotten, cut off from your care (v. 5b).
You have thrown me into the lowest pit, into the darkest depths (v. 6).
You have driven my friends away by making me repulsive to them (v. 8).
I have been sick and close to death since my youth. I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors (v. 15).
There isn’t another psalm illustrating a lower low.
Psalm 88 describes desperation and questions God. And this questioning gives us a glimmer of hope in that it’s okay to get real with God as He can handle our deepest frustrations.
We find another spark in this Psalm with the destitute who never stop praying and asking for deliverance. . .
My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O Lord; I lift my hands to you for mercy (v. 9).
O Lord, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day (v. 13).
It takes great faith to have faith in trials.
The prayers of Psalm 88 contextually show a Psalmist who suffers and yet keeps praying, doesn’t curse God but waits patiently. This psalm shows a follower of God who realizes that the light of victory might not be experienced in this life — and is okay with the Lord’s decisions!
The Apostle Paul gives us a similar sentiment. . .
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later (Romans 8:18).
Personally, I would still be disappointed with Psalm 88 if it wasn’t just one out of 150 psalms, most of which do end in victory. As a dark psalm, it allows the light of the other 149 psalms to shine brightly.
O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night. Now hear my prayer (vv. 1-2a).
Amen. Peace out!