May my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry. May my prayerThe Hebrew word for "prayer" here is "תְּפִלָּה" (tefillah), which signifies a plea or supplication. In the context of the Psalms, prayer is a deeply personal and earnest communication with God. The psalmist is not merely reciting words but is pouring out his heart, seeking divine intervention. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God desires a relationship with His people, where they can approach Him with their deepest concerns and needs. come before You incline Your ear to my cry Persons / Places / Events 1. The Sons of KorahThis psalm is attributed to the Sons of Korah, a group of Levitical singers in the temple. They are known for their deep and often somber psalms. 2. Heman the Ezrahite Traditionally considered the author of Psalm 88, Heman was a wise man and a musician in the time of King David, known for his wisdom and musical contributions to temple worship. 3. The Temple The setting for many of the psalms, including those by the Sons of Korah, is the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. 4. Prayer The act of communicating with God, which is central to this verse, emphasizing the psalmist's earnest plea for God's attention. 5. Cry Represents the deep emotional distress and earnestness in the psalmist's prayer, seeking God's intervention and presence. Teaching Points The Importance of Persistent PrayerThe psalmist's plea for his prayer to come before God highlights the importance of persistence in prayer, even when circumstances seem dire. God's Attentive Ear The request for God to "incline Your ear" reminds us that God is attentive and compassionate, ready to listen to the cries of His people. Expressing Deep Emotions to God The psalmist's cry shows that it is acceptable to bring our deepest emotions and struggles before God, trusting in His understanding and care. Faith in God's Presence Amidst Silence Even when God seems silent, the act of praying and crying out to Him is an expression of faith in His presence and eventual response. Community in Worship and Lament The involvement of the Sons of Korah suggests the value of community in both worship and lament, encouraging believers to support one another in prayer. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the psalmist's approach to prayer in Psalm 88:2 encourage us to persist in our own prayer life, especially during difficult times?2. In what ways can we be assured that God hears our prayers, even when we do not immediately see answers? 3. How can we incorporate the practice of expressing our deepest emotions to God in our daily prayer life? 4. What role does community play in supporting us through times of lament, as seen in the involvement of the Sons of Korah? 5. How can we apply the principles of Psalm 88:2 to encourage others who may feel that their prayers are not being heard? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 5:3This verse also speaks of prayers being directed to God in the morning, showing a pattern of seeking God early and earnestly. 1 Peter 5:7 Encourages believers to cast all their anxieties on God, similar to the psalmist's cry for God's attention and care. Hebrews 4:16 Invites believers to approach God's throne of grace with confidence, echoing the psalmist's plea for God to hear his prayer.
People Abaddon, Ethan, Heman, Korah, Mahalath, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Cry, Ear, Enter, Incline, Loud, Prayer, Presence, TurnDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 88:2 5831 depression Library Out of the Deep of Doubt, Darkness, and Hell. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night unto Thee. Oh! let my prayer enter into Thy presence. For my soul is full of trouble and my life draweth nigh unto Hell. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in a place of darkness, and in the deep.--Ps. lxxxviii. 1, 2. If I go down to Hell, Thou art there also. Yea, the darkness is no darkness with Thee; but the night is as clear as the day.--Ps. cxxxix. 7, 11. I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my calling. … Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case and Condition Cleared up to Us. How a Desolate Man Ought to Commit Himself into the Hands of God Our Status. His Past Work. How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance. Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon The Wrath of God Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500 Sense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son. Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties. Psalms Links Psalm 88:2 NIVPsalm 88:2 NLT Psalm 88:2 ESV Psalm 88:2 NASB Psalm 88:2 KJV Psalm 88:2 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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