Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 88

“A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director; according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. 1 O Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You. 2 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry! 3 For my soul has had enough troubles, And my life has drawn near to Sheol. 4 I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit; I have become like a man without strength, 5 Forsaken among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And they are cut off from Your hand. 6 You have put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in the depths. 7 Your wrath has rested upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah. 8 You have removed my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an object of loathing to them; I am shut up and cannot go out. 9 My eye has wasted away because of affliction; I have called upon You every day, O Lord; I have spread out my hands to You. 10 Will You perform wonders for the dead? Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Selah. 11 Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? 12 Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? 13 But I, O Lord, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. 14 O Lord, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? 15 I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on; I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome. 16 Your burning anger has passed over me; Your terrors have destroyed me. 17 They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether. 18 You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are in darkness.[1]”—Psalm 88

Today’s psalm is difficult but also familiar. It deals with the dark seasons we all encounter in a broken world. Whether it’s depression, hopelessness, disease, relationship struggles, grief, or more, we all know what it’s like to feel alone and in the dark.

The psalmist can’t find God, and his friends are either absent or of no help. By detailing his sufferings, asking questions, and bringing his complaints to God, Heman (the writer) helps us see that we are never alone and that God desires an ongoing, honest relationship.

Begin by reading Psalm 88 aloud.

1. In what ways do you relate to Psalm 88? In what ways do you struggle to relate?
2. Describe a Psalm 88 moment where you felt hopeless and alone in the dark.
3. How honest are you in your prayer life?
4. What, if anything, keeps you from being honest with God about what you’re going through?
5. Are you honest with others about your struggles? Why or why not?

Challenge: Memorize Psalm 1 this summer. At the end of each group meeting, ask each member to recite the portion they have learned!