O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?
This psalm pours forth grievous lamentations from one nearly at despair, yet even in deep darkness he calls upon God to deliver him, displaying an invincible steadfastness of faith. The occasion remains debated: some hold it the prayer of a leper isolated by the law, others the voice of captive Israel in chains, yet all agree it speaks the language of one whom God has struck down.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 88:1-18
Lord, why castest thou oft my soul? Hast thou not aforetime chosen me, wilt thou now reject me? Shall thine elect ones become thy reprobates? Dost thou, like changeable men, give a writing of divorcement to those whom thy love has espoused? Can thy beloveds become thy cast offs? Why hidest thou thy face from me? Wilt thou not so much as look upon me?
He pleads with God: shall the dead praise You? They cannot; the grave is the land of forgetfulness. But hear me now, Lord, for You are good, faithful, and righteous. These attributes must be known in my deliverance, yet if relief is delayed, I shall be dead and past comfort. Hasten, or Your mercy comes too late.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 88:10-18