Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. New Living Translation They have left me among the dead, and I lie like a corpse in a grave. I am forgotten, cut off from your care. English Standard Version like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. Berean Standard Bible I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. King James Bible Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. New King James Version Adrift among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And who are cut off from Your hand. New American Standard Bible Abandoned among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You no longer remember, And they are cut off from Your hand. NASB 1995 Forsaken among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And they are cut off from Your hand. NASB 1977 Forsaken among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom Thou dost remember no more, And they are cut off from Thy hand. Legacy Standard Bible Released among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And they are cut off from Your hand. Amplified Bible Cast away [from the living] and abandoned among the dead, Like the slain who lie in a [nameless] grave, Whom You no longer remember, And they are cut off from Your hand. Christian Standard Bible abandoned among the dead. I am like the slain lying in the grave, whom you no longer remember, and who are cut off from your care. Holman Christian Standard Bible abandoned among the dead. I am like the slain lying in the grave, whom You no longer remember, and who are cut off from Your care. American Standard Version Cast off among the dead, Like the slain that lie in the grave, Whom thou rememberest no more, And they are cut off from thy hand. Contemporary English Version I am no better off than those in the grave, those you have forgotten and no longer help. English Revised Version Cast off among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more; and they are cut off from thy hand. GOD'S WORD® Translation abandoned with the dead, like those who have been killed and lie in graves, like those whom you no longer remember, who are cut off from your power. Good News Translation I am abandoned among the dead; I am like the slain lying in their graves, those you have forgotten completely, who are beyond your help. International Standard Version released to remain with the dead, lying in a grave like a corpse, remembered no longer, and cut off from your power. NET Bible adrift among the dead, like corpses lying in the grave, whom you remember no more, and who are cut off from your power. New Heart English Bible set apart among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more. They are cut off from your hand. Webster's Bible Translation Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. World English Bible set apart among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more. They are cut off from your hand. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAmong the dead—free, "" As pierced ones lying in the grave, "" Whom You have not remembered anymore, "" Indeed, they have been cut off by Your hand. Young's Literal Translation Among the dead -- free, As pierced ones lying in the grave, Whom Thou hast not remembered any more, Yea, they by Thy hand have been cut off. Smith's Literal Translation Free among the dead, as they wounded lying down in the grave, whom thou no more didst remember them, and they were cut off by thy hand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims Biblefree among the dead. Like the slain sleeping in the sepulchres, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cast off from thy hand. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible My couch is among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave. You remember them no more; they are cut off from your influence. New Revised Standard Version like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLike a nobleman abandoned among the dead, like the slain that lie down in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more; they are lost to thee. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated A free man among the dead, like the slain sleeping in the graves, those whom you remember no more and they were destroyed by your hands! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Set apart among the dead, Like the slain that lie in the grave, Whom Thou rememberest no more; And they are cut off from Thy hand. Brenton Septuagint Translation free among the dead, as the slain ones cast out, who sleep in the tomb; whom thou rememberest no more; and they are rejected from thy hand. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Day and Night I Cry Out Before You…4I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength. 5I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care. 6You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.… Cross References Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Lamentations 3:6 He has made me dwell in darkness like those dead for ages. Job 17:1 “My spirit is broken; my days are extinguished; the grave awaits me. Job 10:21-22 before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom, / to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.” Ezekiel 37:12-13 Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. / Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. Psalm 31:12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel. Psalm 143:3 For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead. Isaiah 38:18 For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. Job 14:10-12 But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he? / As water disappears from the sea and a river becomes parched and dry, / so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten. / Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun. Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34 At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Treasury of Scripture Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom you remember no more: and they are cut off from your hand. free Isaiah 14:9-12 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations… Isaiah 38:10-12 I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years… Ezekiel 32:18-32 Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit… whom Psalm 136:23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: Genesis 8:1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt. cut Psalm 88:16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off. Psalm 31:22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. Job 6:9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! from thy hand. Jump to Previous Apart Care Cast Cut Dead Forsaken Free Grave Hand Lie Ones Pierced Prostrate Remember Remembered Rememberest Slain Soul Thought UnderworldJump to Next Apart Care Cast Cut Dead Forsaken Free Grave Hand Lie Ones Pierced Prostrate Remember Remembered Rememberest Slain Soul Thought UnderworldPsalm 88 1. A prayer containing a grievous complaint.I am forsaken among the dead This phrase reflects a deep sense of abandonment and isolation, often experienced by those in despair. In biblical context, being "forsaken" is a powerful expression of feeling separated from God, akin to the lament of Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:46). The psalmist's expression here can be seen as a type of Christ, who was also forsaken in death for the sake of humanity's redemption. like the slain who lie in the grave whom You remember no more who are cut off from Your care Persons / Places / Events 1. The Psalmist (Heman the Ezrahite)The author of Psalm 88, traditionally identified as Heman the Ezrahite, is expressing deep anguish and a sense of abandonment by God. 2. The Dead Refers to those who have passed away, symbolizing a state of separation and forgottenness, both physically and spiritually. 3. The Grave (Sheol) In Hebrew, "Sheol" is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living and, metaphorically, from God. 4. God's Care The psalmist feels cut off from God's providence and attention, highlighting a perceived absence of divine intervention. 5. The Slain Represents those who have died violently or prematurely, emphasizing the psalmist's feeling of being spiritually "slain" or defeated. Teaching Points The Reality of DespairAcknowledge that even faithful believers can experience profound despair and feelings of abandonment. The Importance of Lament Lament is a valid and biblical way to express our deepest emotions to God, serving as a form of prayer and communication. God's Presence in Silence Even when God seems silent, He is present. Our feelings of being "cut off" do not equate to actual separation from His love. Hope Beyond the Grave While the psalmist feels forgotten, the New Testament assures us of eternal life and remembrance in Christ. Community Support Encourage believers to support one another in times of spiritual darkness, reflecting God's care through the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 88:5?2. How does Psalm 88:5 reflect feelings of abandonment in spiritual struggles? 3. What can we learn about God's presence during times of despair from Psalm 88:5? 4. How does Psalm 88:5 connect with Jesus' suffering in the Gospels? 5. How can Psalm 88:5 guide our prayers during personal trials? 6. In what ways can Psalm 88:5 encourage empathy towards others' suffering? 7. What does Psalm 88:5 reveal about God's presence in times of despair? 8. How does Psalm 88:5 challenge the belief in God's constant protection? 9. Why is Psalm 88:5 considered one of the darkest verses in the Bible? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 88? 11. Are the dead aware of events on earth? 12. Why does Psalm 43:2 suggest God has forsaken the writer, when other passages emphasize God's constant presence? 13. Why does Psalm 88 present unrelenting despair without any expression of hope, seeming to contradict other passages that emphasize God's deliverance (Psalm 88:1-3)? 14. If the Old Testament often portrays God rescuing the faithful, why does Psalm 88 contain no promise of deliverance at all? What Does Psalm 88:5 Mean I am forsaken among the dead• The psalmist voices the crushing sense of abandonment, as though God has left him in the realm of the departed. • Psalm 31:12 echoes the same feeling: “I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind.” • Lamentations 3:6 deepens the picture: “He has made me dwell in darkness like those dead for ages.” • Although the feeling is real, Scripture promises God never ignores His people (Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5). The tension between experience and truth drives the psalmist to cry all the more to God rather than away from Him. like the slain who lie in the grave • Not just any dead, but the “slain”—victims of violence—now silent and powerless. • Psalm 44:22 portrays the faithful who “face death all day long… as sheep to be slaughtered,” showing that even covenant people can feel struck down. • 1 Samuel 2:6 reminds us the LORD “brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up,” grounding hope in His sovereign power over the grave. • The psalmist identifies with the slain, yet Scripture assures resurrection life for those who trust the LORD (Job 19:25–27; John 11:25). whom You remember no more • From the psalmist’s vantage point the dead seem beyond God’s notice. • Psalm 13:1 voices the same anguish: “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?” • Yet Isaiah 49:15 counters the despair: “Can a woman forget her nursing child?… I will not forget you!” God’s covenant memory is unfailing even when feelings insist otherwise. • Christ bore the ultimate “no remembrance” on the cross—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)—so His people would never be forgotten. who are cut off from Your care • The phrase pictures being severed from God’s covenant love (ḥesed), the safest place a believer knows. • Psalm 31:22 admits, “In my alarm I said, ‘I am cut off from Your sight!’ Yet You heard my plea for mercy.” The psalmist’s panic was met by God’s attentive kindness. • Isaiah 59:2 explains the deeper issue: “Your iniquities have separated you from your God.” Only divine mercy can bridge that chasm. • Jesus was “cut off out of the land of the living” (Isaiah 53:8) so that all who trust Him are eternally kept in God’s steadfast care (Romans 8:38–39). summary Psalm 88:5 captures a believer’s darkest hour—feeling abandoned, silenced by death, forgotten by God, and severed from His love. While the anguish is real, the rest of Scripture answers every fear: God never forsakes, His memory never fails, and His covenant care never ends. The psalm invites us to bring even our bleakest emotions to the Lord, confident that the One who conquered death and bore ultimate forsakenness will meet us with unfailing grace. (5) Free among the dead . . .--So the old versions without exception, taking chaphshi as an adjective, as in Job 3:19 (where used of an emancipated slave); 1Samuel 17:25 (free from public burdens). So of the separate house for lepers, who were cut off from society (2Kings 15:5). Hence some refer the psalm to Uzziah. The Targum explains, "freed from legal duties." But plainly the meaning is here exactly that of defunctus. The verse offers an instance of introverted parallelism, and this clause answers to "they are cut off from thy hand." Gesenius, however, makes the Hebrew word a noun (comp. Ezekiel 27:20), and renders, among the dead is my couch.Whom thou.--The dead are "clean forgotten, out of mind" even to God. From thy hand--i.e., from the guiding, helping hand which, though stretched out for living men, does not reach to the grave. Verse 5. - Free among the dead; or, "east out among the dead." Placed with corpses, as one that needs burial. Like the slain that lie in the grave. Like those who are thrown into a pit dug on a battlefield, among whom there are often some who have not breathed their last (see the Prayerbook Version). Whom thou rememberest no more. We have already beard the complaint that in death there is no remembrance of God on the part of man (Psalm 6:5); now we have the converse statement, that neither is there then any remembrance of man on the part of God. The psalmist speaks, not absolute truth, but the belief of his day - a belief which vanished when life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel. And they are out off from thy hand; i.e. severed from thee, shut up in a place where thou dwell eat not (see Job 10:21, 22).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I am forsakenחָ֫פְשִׁ֥י (ḥā·p̄ə·šî) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2670: Exempt among the dead, בַּמֵּתִ֗ים (bam·mê·ṯîm) Preposition-b, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 4191: To die, to kill like כְּמ֤וֹ (kə·mōw) Preposition Strong's 3644: Like, as, when the slain חֲלָלִ֨ים ׀ (ḥă·lā·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted who lie שֹׁ֥כְבֵי (šō·ḵə·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 7901: To lie down in the grave, קֶ֗בֶר (qe·ḇer) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher whom אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that You לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no remember זְכַרְתָּ֣ם (zə·ḵar·tām) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male no more, ע֑וֹד (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more who וְ֝הֵ֗מָּה (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They are cut off נִגְזָֽרוּ׃ (niḡ·zā·rū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1504: To cut down, off, to destroy, divide, exclude, decide from Your care. מִיָּדְךָ֥ (mî·yā·ḏə·ḵā) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand Links Psalm 88:5 NIVPsalm 88:5 NLT Psalm 88:5 ESV Psalm 88:5 NASB Psalm 88:5 KJV Psalm 88:5 BibleApps.com Psalm 88:5 Biblia Paralela Psalm 88:5 Chinese Bible Psalm 88:5 French Bible Psalm 88:5 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 88:5 Set apart among the dead like (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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