Why is Psalm 88 so dark?
Asked by: Mr. Derick Turcotte | Last update: February 14, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (25 votes)
Psalm 88 is so dark because it's a raw, unfiltered lament from someone feeling utterly abandoned by God, surrounded by suffering, and facing death, with no glimmers of hope or resolution, describing a complete spiritual and emotional abyss where friends have fled and God feels distant, reflecting profound despair and the reality of life's deepest darkness. It's unique in the Psalter for its unrelieved gloom, ending in utter darkness rather than praise, yet offers comfort by showing Jesus experienced this extreme isolation.
Why is Psalm 88 so sad?
In Psalm 88, the psalmist cries out in pain, bemoaning the fact that he was alone, in danger, and nearly out of hope.
What is the darkest psalm?
Psalm 88 ends, literally, in darkness: “You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness” (v. 18).
What are the most disturbing Psalms?
Major imprecatory Psalms include Psalm 69 and Psalm 109, while Psalms 5, 6, 10, 12, 35, 37, 40, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 79, 83, 94, 137, 139 and 143 are also considered imprecatory. As an example, Psalm 69:24 states toward God, "Pour out Your indignation on them, and let Your burning anger overtake them."
What is going on in Psalm 88?
a. You have laid me in the lowest pit: Boldly, the psalmist tells God what he feels and experiences – that God Himself has caused His downfall, setting him in darkness, in the depths. b. Your wrath lies heavy upon me: It seemed that the source of the affliction was the righteous wrath of God.
How to deal with dark times | Tim Keller
What does Psalm 88 mean in the Bible?
1 LORD, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. 2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. 3 I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength.
Is Psalm 88 about depression?
Psalm 88 powerfully expresses the painful suffering of those who are depressed. We've seen that as many as a half of all the psalms are laments or contain some lament. But no psalm is as bleak and despairing as Psalm 88.
What is the #1 worst sin?
There's no single #1 worst sin; it depends on the religious or moral framework, but pride is often called the root of all evil (Christianity/Islam), while the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (unforgivable sin) is considered the gravest in the Bible. Other severe sins include child abuse (Catholicism) and sins that "cry to Heaven" (like shedding innocent blood or oppressing the poor).
What does 444 mean biblically?
In biblical contexts, the number 444 isn't a single, explicit doctrine but is often interpreted symbolically, relating to creation, humanity (man as the world's number), being set apart (sanctification), divine protection, and prophetic fulfillment, often linked to Jesus's mission or patterns in scripture like Elijah feeding prophets (2 Kings 4:44) or Jesus preaching (Luke 4:44). The number four itself signifies completeness or the world, so 444 emphasizes this theme, suggesting God's care for His created world and people, with some seeing it as angels' presence or a call to divine purpose, especially concerning Jesus as the prophesied King.
What is 7 abomination in the Bible?
There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. –Proverbs 6:16-19.
Who was Psalm 88 written for?
Heman, a Levite musician appointed by David, was known for his wisdom and musical talent. Yet, in Psalm 88, we encounter a different side of him—a side grappling with deep despair. Heman's lament is a stark, unvarnished plea to God, filled with pain and the heaviness of unrelieved suffering.
Who was killed by God for not impregnating?
The person killed by God for not impregnating his deceased brother's widow, Tamar, was Onan, as described in Genesis 38 of the Bible; his sin was refusing to fulfill the levirate marriage duty to produce an heir for his brother, instead "wasting his seed on the ground" (coitus interruptus) which God found displeasing. While often seen as a condemnation of contraception, biblical interpretation emphasizes Onan's selfishness and disobedience in shirking his familial and cultural responsibility to continue his brother's lineage, rather than just the act itself.
What does 88 mean biblically?
In the Bible, the number 88 doesn't have one single mystical meaning but is significant through Psalm 88, the darkest psalm of deep anguish with no immediate resolution, and through Strong's Greek number 88 (adialeiptos), meaning "without ceasing" for prayer, reflecting relentless faith; also, King Rehoboam's 88 children signify great, if complicated, lineage. The number 888, related to Jesus' name, signifies completeness and salvation, but 88 itself points to persistence, profound suffering, and the enduring, often difficult, path of faith, notes BibleStudy.org, Bible Hub, and thecbcd.org.
What does 88 represent spiritually?
Angel number 88 signifies abundance and prosperity not only in finances but also in relationships. It represents infinite love and encourages you to cherish and appreciate your loved ones. If your relationship has experienced challenges, it signals a period of flourishing love.
What complaint does the psalmist make in Psalm 88?
Psalm 88 is an individual psalm of lament by someone so overwhelmed with troubles (v. 3) that he is abandoned by his friends and feels abandoned by God. This psalm is a song of distress and misery that offers no simple answers for the grief, loneliness, and questions that overwhelm the psalmist.
Are there any signs of hope in Psalm 88?
As Paul David Tripp put it in his devotional about Psalm 88, “The hope of Psalm 88 is found precisely in the fact that it has no hope in it. It isn't wrapped with some cute theological bow at the end.
Is 444 evil?
Why is 444 a bad number? In most cultures, 444 is seen as positive, representing protection and encouragement. However, in some parts of East Asia, people view 444 as unlucky because the number 4 sounds like the word for "death" in some local languages. Therefore, they often avoid this number due to this association.
What did Jesus mean in John 4:44?
ESV (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) NIV (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)
Does the number 4 appear often in the Bible?
"Four" (cardinal number) was a sacred and complete number with the Hebrews, as well as with several other peoples. It occurs very frequently in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Is adultery worse than other sins?
Sin is sin. There's no sin greater than another except for blasphemy of God's Holy Spirit. In my opinion, yes, committing adultery is far worse than stealing a snickers, but with God, it's all the same. It's the most dangerous act in the world!
Are the 7 sins still relevant today?
And those old sins still ring true. Pride and envy still divide families. Greed and wrath still drive conflict. Lust, gluttony, and laziness still corrode our inner lives in ways as real today as they were centuries ago.
What sins does God hate the most?
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
What is the main point of Psalm 88?
The psalm shows that the experience of darkness also has its place in the life of faith. Psalm 88 reminds us that life does not always have happy endings. Suffering and loss are part and parcel of our human existence, even for people who are devoted to God.
Is it against the Bible to take anxiety meds?
The answer, in short, is no.
What does God say when you are struggling?
When struggling, God's message across faiths is one of presence, comfort, strength, and ultimate relief, encouraging reliance on Him, promising He hears prayers, offers rest for the weary, and that struggles build character, with verses like "I am with you" (Isaiah 41:10) and "Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28) highlighting His support, while the Quran teaches that with every hardship comes ease and to rely on Allah (Tawakkul).