When Darkness Is a Familiar Friend
This psalm has been described as the saddest psalm in all the psalter. The psalmist has been suffering for an extended period of time, and has not discovered the reason for his troubles. He pours out his heart before the Lord, asking the Lord for help and deliverance (88:2,13).
The first part of this psalm is The Expectation of Death (1-7). He begins by crying out to the Lord in his troubles because he is close to death (Sheol) (88:3). He has no strength and feels like he is already dead; forgotten and cut off from God’s people (88:4-5). He knows that it is God’s doing that he is in these circumstances; but he is overwhelmed by these waves of troubles (88:7).
The second part of the psalm is The Feelings of Despair (8-12). His friends have deserted him, and he feels utterly alone (88:8). In his loneliness he calls out to God to act on his behalf before it is too late for him to praise God publicly in the assembly (88:9-12). If he dies, then who can tell of God’s love and righteousness (88:11-12)?
The final part of the psalm is The Experience of Death (13-18). He says that darkness has become an all too familiar friend (88:18). In this psalm there is no comments of joy or praise; just the earnest prayer of someone in pain crying out to his God. Brethren, you are not promised a happy life by God. He promises that your best life is not now, but in eternity with Him. You will face times of heartache and pain, suffering that will not often come with an explanation. Trust in God that He is working all things to your good (Rom 8:28), and that He cares for you (1 Pet 5:7).