Your wrath has swept over me;
This phrase reflects the psalmist's deep sense of being overwhelmed by God's anger. In the biblical context, God's wrath is often associated with His righteous judgment against sin. The imagery of being "swept over" suggests a flood or a powerful force, reminiscent of the flood in Genesis 6-9, where God's judgment came upon the earth. This can also be seen as a type of Christ, who bore the wrath of God on behalf of humanity, as described in Isaiah 53:4-5. The psalmist's experience foreshadows the suffering of Jesus, who endured God's wrath for the sake of redemption.

Your terrors have destroyed me.
The use of "terrors" indicates a profound fear and distress, which can be linked to the consequences of sin and separation from God. In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, experiencing God's terrors could be understood as facing the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28. The destruction mentioned here is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual, pointing to the totality of the psalmist's despair. This phrase can also connect to the New Testament, where Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, faced the terror of impending crucifixion (Matthew 26:38-39), highlighting His role as the suffering servant who takes on the terrors meant for humanity.

1. The Psalmist (Heman the Ezrahite)
The author of Psalm 88, traditionally identified as Heman the Ezrahite, is a figure known for his wisdom and musical contributions in the time of King David. He is associated with the sons of Korah, a group of temple musicians.

2. God (Yahweh)
The central figure to whom the psalmist is addressing his lament. The psalmist perceives God’s wrath and terrors as overwhelming forces in his life.

3. The Place of Despair
While not a physical location, the psalmist describes a state of deep spiritual and emotional despair, feeling as though he is in the depths of Sheol (the realm of the dead).

4. The Event of Suffering
The psalmist is experiencing intense suffering, which he attributes to the wrath and terrors of God. This event is characterized by a sense of abandonment and relentless affliction.Understanding Divine Wrath
Recognize that the psalmist attributes his suffering to God's wrath, which reflects a deep awareness of God's holiness and justice. This can lead us to a greater understanding of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance.

The Reality of Despair
Acknowledge that even the faithful can experience profound despair. This psalm teaches us that it is permissible to bring our deepest fears and feelings of abandonment before God.

The Role of Lament in Faith
Lament is a vital part of a healthy spiritual life. It allows believers to express their pain honestly while still maintaining a relationship with God.

Hope in the Midst of Darkness
While Psalm 88 does not end on a hopeful note, it is part of a larger biblical account that points to redemption and hope through Christ. Believers can find solace in the promise of God’s ultimate deliverance.

Community Support
The psalmist’s isolation highlights the importance of community support. As believers, we are called to support one another in times of despair, reflecting God’s love and compassion.Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 88

Who is Abaddon or Apollyon in religious texts?

What does fearing God mean?

Why does the repeated emphasis on God's wrath in Psalm 88:7 and 88:16 clash with portrayals of divine mercy elsewhere in the Bible?

Psalm 73:27 proclaims God will destroy the unfaithful--how does this align with the New Testament emphasis on love and redemption?(16) Have cut me off.--Or, extinguished me. The form of the verb is very peculiar, and is variously explained. All that is certain is that it is intensive, expressing the hopeless and continued state of prostration of the sufferer. The LXX., "have frightened."

Verse 16. - Thy fierce wrath goeth over me. "Overwhelms me;" i.e. "like a fiery flood" (see above, ver. 7). Thy terrors have cut me off. A different word is used for "terrors" from that which occurs in ver. 15, and one elsewhere occurring only in Job 6:4. The verb also is one characteristic of Job (Job 6:17; 23:17), and means "extinguish," or "exterminate."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Your wrath
חֲרוֹנֶ֑יךָ (ḥă·rō·w·ne·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2740: A burning of anger

has swept
עָבְר֣וּ (‘ā·ḇə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

over me;
עָ֭לַי (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your terrors
בִּ֝עוּתֶ֗יךָ (bi·‘ū·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1161: Terrors, alarms

have destroyed me.
צִמְּתוּתֻֽנִי׃ (ṣim·mə·ṯū·ṯu·nî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular
Strong's 6789: To put an end to, exterminate


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OT Poetry: Psalm 88:16 Your fierce wrath has gone over me (Psalm Ps Psa.)