Psalm 88 is a prayer that only the believer can pray. The sons of Korah, these temple singers, begin rightly, by calling out to Him only, who is able to save us from our despondency.

¹ O Lord, God of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You.
² Let my prayer come before You;
Incline Your ear to my cry.

It is only after this proper address, that the believer can bring his concerns to God.

³ For my soul is full of troubles,
And my life draws near to the grave.
⁴ I am counted with those who go^[c] down to the pit;
I am like a man who has no strength,
⁵ Adrift among the dead,
Like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom You remember no more,
And who are cut off from Your hand.

The believer knows that this has been the Lord’s will for him.

³ For my soul is full of troubles,
And my life draws near to the grave.

⁸ You have put away my acquaintances far from me;
You have made me an abomination to them;
I am shut up, and I cannot get out;
⁹ My eye wastes away because of affliction.

Considering his own state now, the believer has questions to ask.

¹⁰ Will You work wonders for the dead?
Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah
¹¹ Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave?
Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
¹² Shall Your wonders be known in the dark?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

This psalm does not provide the answers. The final verses leave the singers without a reply.

¹⁴ Lord, why do You cast off my soul?
Why do You hide Your face from me?

¹⁸ Loved one and friend You have put far from me,
And my acquaintances into darkness.

Thankfully, Beloved of the Lord Jesus Christ, the answer to these questions is “yes and Amen, in the Person and work of the Son, your Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let us think on this. Then let us pray.

Will You work wonders from the dead?

Yes and Amen in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Shall the dead arise and praise You?

Yes and Amen in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?

Yes and Amen in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Shall Your wonders be known in the dark and Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Yes and Amen in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray.

Dear Lord and heavenly Father,

Blessed be Your holy name. Your greatness and glory is magnified not only in Your wrath but also in my salvation from it. Your Son has saved me. May the Holy Spirit ever work such saving truth in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.