The Bible Says
Psalm 88:13-18 Meaning

In this section of Psalm 88:13-18, the writer laments before God, saying, But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You (v. 13). The psalmist directs his plea to the Lord with a sense of urgency, reflecting a life overshadowed by unrelenting sorrow. Morning prayers in Scripture often underscore a spirit of dedication and dependency on the Lord. This verse parallels New Testament teachings on persistent prayer, as seen when Jesus rises early in the morning to pray (Mark 1:35). The psalmist’s voice resonates with anyone who has felt compelled by desperation to turn to God the moment they awake.

The psalmist cries out in confusion, O LORD, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? (v. 14). The sense of God’s silence or hiddenness is an experience the faithful sometimes face when circumstances grow bleak. In many parts of the Bible, such silence challenges believers to continue trusting even when answers do not come swiftly. This moment highlights the psalmist’s deep and personal anguish, feeling as though God has withdrawn His presence.

He continues sharing his plight with the words, I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on; I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome (v. 15). The psalmist recounts a lifetime of suffering, emphasizing that this misery has been a companion since youth. That ongoing burden intensifies the plea for divine intervention. In the broader biblical context, some figures endure long seasons of hardship, such as Joseph who was sold into slavery (Genesis 37-50) or Job who suffered many afflictions (Job 1-2). Their stories remind believers that God remains sovereign even amid prolonged adversity.

Next, the psalmist states, Your burning anger has passed over me; Your terrors have destroyed me (v. 16). These words reveal a sense of overwhelming judgment or divine discipline pressing upon him. Though the writer may not fully comprehend why he experiences such torment, the language reflects deep distress. Throughout Scripture, people who feel God’s discipline find restoration by remembering His lovingkindness and faithfulness, even if, in the moment, pain overshadows hope.

Then the psalmist describes his troubles as relentless, saying, They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether (v. 17). The image of being engulfed by floodwaters expresses a feeling of total entrapment. Water imagery frequently appears in the Psalms to depict peril, such as Psalm 69’s portrayal of sinking in deep mire. Here, the psalmist experiences a complete lack of escape, emphasizing a condition that seems inescapable apart from God’s mercy.

Finally, the psalmist concludes solemnly, You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are in darkness (v. 18). The isolation he feels compounds his burden. Close companions have either departed or cannot comprehend the depth of his sorrow. This moment of abandonment highlights the psalmist’s utter dependence on God, mirroring times in Jesus’ life when His disciples fled (Matthew 26:56). Despite the surrounding darkness, the psalmist clings to the hope that God alone is able to restore relationship and joy.