Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah Your wrathThe phrase "Your wrath" in Psalm 88:7 refers to the divine anger of God. In Hebrew, the word for wrath is "chemah," which conveys a sense of heat or fury. This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's righteous indignation against sin and disobedience. From a conservative Christian perspective, God's wrath is not arbitrary but is a response to human sinfulness and rebellion. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and justice, emphasizing the need for repentance and reconciliation with Him. The wrath of God is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, highlighting the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement, ultimately fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. lies heavily upon me
The phrase "lies heavily upon me" suggests a burden or overwhelming pressure. The Hebrew word "samak" is used here, which means to lean upon or support, but in this context, it conveys the idea of being weighed down. This imagery reflects the psalmist's deep sense of despair and the feeling of being crushed under the weight of divine displeasure. Historically, this can be seen as a reflection of the human experience of suffering and the feeling of being abandoned by God. Yet, in the broader biblical narrative, such moments of despair often lead to a deeper understanding of God's presence and faithfulness, even in times of trial. and all Your waves
The imagery of "all Your waves" evokes the relentless and overwhelming nature of the psalmist's afflictions. The Hebrew word "gal" refers to a wave or billow, often used in the context of the sea. This metaphor is powerful, as it portrays the psalmist's troubles as unending and overpowering, much like the waves of the ocean. In the biblical context, the sea often symbolizes chaos and danger, yet it is also under God's control. This duality serves as a reminder that while life's challenges may seem insurmountable, they are ultimately subject to God's sovereign will. have submerged me
The phrase "have submerged me" conveys a sense of being overwhelmed or engulfed. The Hebrew root "shataph" means to overflow or inundate. This expression captures the psalmist's feeling of being completely overtaken by his circumstances, akin to drowning. In the broader scriptural context, water is often a symbol of both judgment and salvation. The floodwaters that once judged the earth also carried Noah to safety. Similarly, the Red Sea that threatened the Israelites became their path to deliverance. This dual symbolism offers hope that even in overwhelming trials, God can provide a way through and bring about redemption. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Psalmist (Heman the Ezrahite)The author of Psalm 88, traditionally identified as Heman the Ezrahite, a wise man and a musician in the time of King David. He is known for his deep lament and expression of despair in this psalm. 2. God (Yahweh)The central figure to whom the psalmist is addressing his lament. The psalmist perceives God's wrath as the source of his suffering. 3. SelahA term used frequently in the Psalms, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or musical interlude. It invites the reader to pause and consider the weight of the statement. Teaching Points Understanding Divine WrathThe psalmist's experience of God's wrath is a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. It calls believers to reflect on their own lives and the need for repentance. The Depth of DespairThis verse acknowledges the reality of deep emotional and spiritual suffering. It validates the feelings of those who feel overwhelmed and encourages them to bring their struggles before God. The Role of LamentLament is a biblical way to process pain and seek God in the midst of suffering. It teaches us that it is okay to express our deepest fears and frustrations to God. The Call to Reflect (Selah)The use of "Selah" invites believers to pause and meditate on the gravity of the situation and the sovereignty of God, encouraging a deeper trust in His ultimate plan. Hope Beyond DespairWhile Psalm 88 is a psalm of lament without an explicit resolution, it points to the broader biblical account where God ultimately redeems and restores. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the psalmist's expression of feeling overwhelmed by God's wrath challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character? 2. In what ways can the imagery of "waves" in Psalm 88:7 relate to personal experiences of feeling submerged by life's challenges? 3. How can the practice of lament, as seen in Psalm 88, be incorporated into your personal prayer life, especially during times of distress? 4. What other biblical figures experienced feelings of despair similar to the psalmist, and how did they find hope or resolution? 5. How does the concept of "Selah" encourage you to pause and reflect on God's presence in the midst of your struggles? Connections to Other Scriptures Job's Suffering The lament in Psalm 88 is reminiscent of Job's expressions of despair and feeling overwhelmed by God's hand. Both texts explore themes of divine sovereignty and human suffering. Jonah's Prayer Jonah, in the belly of the fish, speaks of being engulfed by waves and feeling distant from God, similar to the imagery in Psalm 88:7. Lamentations The book of Lamentations shares the theme of feeling crushed under God's wrath, yet it also points towards hope and restoration. People Abaddon, Ethan, Heman, Korah, Mahalath, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Afflicted, Breakers, Crushing, Fury, Hast, Heavily, Heavy, Lain, Lies, Lieth, Overcome, Overwhelm, Overwhelmed, Pressest, Rested, Selah, Waves, Weight, WrathDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 88:7 7908 baptism, significance Psalm 88:1-9 5970 unhappiness Psalm 88:1-18 5831 depression
8613 prayer, persistence Psalm 88:3-18 5265 complaints Psalm 88:6-9 8615 prayer, doubts 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 DeepHow to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case and Condition Cleared up to Us.
The believer is oft complaining of darkness concerning his case and condition, so as he cannot tell what to say of himself, or what judgment to pass on himself, and he knoweth not how to win to a distinct and clear discovery of his state and condition. Now, it is truth alone, and the Truth, that can satisfy them as to this. The question then is, how they shall make use of, and apply themselves to this truth, to the end they may get the truth of their condition discovered to them. But first let us …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life How a Desolate Man Ought to Commit Himself into the Hands of God
O Lord, Holy Father, be Thou blessed now and evermore; because as Thou wilt so it is done, and what Thou doest is good. Let Thy servant rejoice in Thee, not in himself, nor in any other; because Thou alone art the true joy, Thou art my hope and my crown, Thou art my joy and my honour, O Lord. What hath Thy servant, which he received not from Thee, even without merit of his own? Thine are all things which Thou hast given, and which Thou hast made. I am poor and in misery even from my youth up,(1) …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Our Status.
"And he believed in the Lord: and he counted it to him for righteousness." --Gen. xv. 6. The right touches a man's status. So long as the law has not proven him guilty, has not convicted and sentenced him, his legal status is that of a free and law-abiding citizen. But as soon as his guilt is proven in court and the jury has convicted him, he passes from that into the status of the bound and law-breaking citizen. The same applies to our relation to God. Our status before God is that either of the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit His Past Work.
His past work was accomplished by Him when he became incarnate. It was finished when He died on Calvary's cross. We have therefore to consider first of all these fundamentals of our faith. I. The Work of the Son of God is foreshadowed and predicted in the Old Testament Scriptures. II. The incarnation of the Son of God. III. His Work on the cross and what has been accomplished by it. I. Through the Old Testament Scriptures, God announced beforehand the work of His Son. This is a great theme and one …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny
To Rainald, Abbot of Foigny Bernard declares to him how little he loves praise; that the yoke of Christ is light; that he declines the name of father, and is content with that of brother. 1. In the first place, do not wonder if titles of honour affright me, when I feel myself so unworthy of the honours themselves; and if it is fitting that you should give them to me, it is not expedient for me to accept them. For if you think that you ought to observe that saying, In honour preferring one another …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments 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
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Sense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son.
For whereas man sinned, and is fallen, and by his fall all things are in confusion: death prevailed from Adam to Moses (cf. Rom. v. 14), the earth was cursed, Hades was opened, Paradise shut, Heaven offended, man, lastly, corrupted and brutalised (cf. Ps. xlix. 12), while the devil was exulting against us;--then God, in His loving-kindness, not willing man made in His own image to perish, said, Whom shall I send, and who will go?' (Isa. vi. 8). But while all held their peace, the Son [441] said, …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
1. A brief recapitulation of the leading points of the whole discussion. The scope of this chapter. The necessity of the doctrine of faith. This doctrine obscured by the Schoolmen, who make God the object of faith, without referring to Christ. The Schoolmen refuted by various passages. 2. The dogma of implicit faith refuted. It destroys faith, which consists in a knowledge of the divine will. What this will is, and how necessary the knowledge of it. 3. Many things are and will continue to be implicitly …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 88:7 NIVPsalm 88:7 NLTPsalm 88:7 ESVPsalm 88:7 NASBPsalm 88:7 KJV
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