Psalms 88:11
Psalms 88:11 in Multiple Translations
Can Your loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon ?
Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or thy faithfulness in Destruction?
Will the story of your mercy be given in the house of the dead? will news of your faith come to the place of destruction?
Your faithful love—is it mentioned in the grave? Your trustworthiness—is it discussed in the place of destruction?
Shall thy louing kindenes be declared in the graue? or thy faithfulnes in destruction?
Is Thy kindness recounted in the grave? Thy faithfulness in destruction?
Is your loving kindness declared in the grave? Or your faithfulness in Destruction?
Shall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
Thou hast humbled the proud one, as one that is slain: with the arm of thy strength thou hast scattered thy enemies.
Corpses in the grave certainly do not tell about your faithfully loving us [RHQ], and in the place where people are finally destroyed, no one tells about what you faithfully do for us [RHQ].
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 88:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 88:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֲ/לַ/מֵּתִ֥ים
תַּעֲשֶׂה
פֶּ֑לֶא
אִם
רְ֝פָאִ֗ים
יָק֤וּמוּ
יוֹד֬וּ/ךָ
סֶּֽלָה
הֲ/לַ/מֵּתִ֥ים
mûwth
H4191
to die
Part | Prep | V-Qal
תַּעֲשֶׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
פֶּ֑לֶא
peleʼ
H6382
wonder
N-ms
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
רְ֝פָאִ֗ים
râphâʼ
H7496
shade
N-mp
יָק֤וּמוּ
qûwm
H6965
-kamai
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
יוֹד֬וּ/ךָ
yâdâh
H3034
to give thanks
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff
סֶּֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
Selah
Part
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 88:11
הֲ/לַ/מֵּתִ֥ים
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Part | Prep | V-Qal
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
תַּעֲשֶׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
פֶּ֑לֶא
peleʼ
H6382
"wonder"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a wonder or miracle, often describing God's acts. It appears in the Bible to describe amazing events, like in the book of Exodus. The KJV translates it as 'marvelous thing' or 'wonder'.
Definition: 1) wonder, marvel 1a) wonder (extraordinary, hard to understand thing) 1b) wonder (of God's acts of judgment and redemption)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: marvellous thing, wonder(-ful, -fully). See also: Exodus 15:11; Psalms 89:6; Psalms 77:12.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
רְ֝פָאִ֗ים
râphâʼ
H7496
"shade"
N-mp
This word refers to the spirits of the dead, or ghosts, and is only used in the plural form, as seen in Isaiah 14:9.
Definition: ghosts of the dead, shades, spirits
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: dead, deceased. See also: Job 26:5; Proverbs 21:16; Psalms 88:11.
יָק֤וּמוּ
qûwm
H6965
"-kamai"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
יוֹד֬וּ/ךָ
yâdâh
H3034
"to give thanks"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff
To give thanks or praise, originally meaning to throw or cast, like shooting an arrow. In the Bible, it's used to describe worship or confession with extended hands. It appears in Psalms and other books, like 1 Chronicles.
Definition: 1) to throw, shoot, cast 1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows) 1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise 1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God) 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to confess (sin) 1d2) to give thanks Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדָא "to praise" H3029)
Usage: Occurs in 111 OT verses. KJV: cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving). See also: Genesis 29:35; Psalms 57:10; Psalms 6:6.
סֶּֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
"Selah"
Part
Selah is a musical term in the Bible that signals a pause or interruption in the music, like a rest in a song, often used in Psalms. It is a technical term that sets a moment for reflection and contemplation, as seen in Psalm 3:2.
Definition: § 1) to lift up, exalt 1a) Selah 1a1) a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: Selah. See also: Psalms 3:3; Psalms 62:5; Psalms 3:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 88:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 88:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 88:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 88:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 88:11
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 88:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
- Sermons on Psalms 88:11
Context — I Cry Out before You
9My eyes grow dim with grief. I call to You daily, O LORD; I spread out my hands to You.
10Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah
11Can Your loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon ?
12Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion? 13But to You, O LORD, I cry for help; in the morning my prayer comes before You.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 26:6 | Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering. |
| 2 | Proverbs 15:11 | Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! |
| 3 | Psalms 73:18 | Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. |
| 4 | 2 Peter 2:1 | Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. |
| 5 | Psalms 55:23 | But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. |
| 6 | Job 21:30 | Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath. |
| 7 | Romans 9:22 | What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction? |
| 8 | Matthew 7:13 | Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. |
Psalms 88:11 Summary
[This verse is a question from the psalmist, asking if God's love and faithfulness can be known in the darkest of places, like the grave or a place of destruction. The psalmist is wondering if God is present and active even in the most difficult circumstances. As we see in Psalms 23:4 and Romans 8:38-39, God is always with us, even in the darkest valleys, and His love and faithfulness can reach beyond even death itself. This gives us hope and comfort in our own struggles, knowing that God is always present and faithful.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the word Abaddon mean in this verse?
Abaddon is a Hebrew word that refers to a place of destruction or the abyss, as seen in Revelation 9:11, where it is also the name of the angel of the abyss.
Can God's loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave?
According to Psalms 88:11, the psalmist is questioning whether God's loving devotion can be proclaimed in the grave, but in Psalms 139:8, we see that God is present even in the depths of Sheol, suggesting that His presence and love can reach beyond the grave.
Why is the psalmist asking if God's faithfulness can be known in Abaddon?
The psalmist is wondering if God's faithfulness can be known in a place of destruction and darkness, but as Romans 8:38-39 reminds us, nothing can separate us from God's love, not even death or the abyss.
What is the significance of the grave in this verse?
The grave, or Sheol, represents a place of separation from God and the living, but as seen in Psalms 16:10 and Acts 2:27, God is able to rescue and redeem His people even from the grave, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways you can proclaim God's loving devotion in your own life, even in difficult circumstances?
- How do you think the psalmist felt when he wrote this verse, and what can you learn from his emotions and doubts?
- In what ways can you trust in God's faithfulness, even when faced with darkness or uncertainty, like the psalmist in Abaddon?
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and presence in your life, and how can you apply that to your daily experiences?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 88:11
Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave?.... Where he saw himself now going, and where should he be detained, and not raised out of it, the lovingkindness of God to him, as his Son, and as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 88:11
Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
I am not without hopes that thou hast a true kindness for me, and wilt faithfully perform thy gracious promises made to me, and to all that love thee and call upon thee in truth. But then this must be done speedily, or I shall be utterly incapable of such a mercy.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
Psalms 88:11 Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? [or] thy faithfulness in destruction?Ver. 11. Shall thy loving kindness, &c.] The same again, and Psalms 88:12 a third time, pro more dolentium. See Psalms 6:5; Psalms 30:9.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
(10-12) These verses probably contain the prayer tittered with the “stretched-out hands.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
Verse 11. Or thy faithfulness in destruction?] Faithfulness in God refers as well to his fulfilling his threatenings as to his keeping his promises. The wicked are threatened with such punishments as their crimes have deserved; but annihilation is no punishment. God therefore does not intend to annihilate the wicked; their destruction cannot declare the faithfulness of God.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 88:11
11. To proclaim God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness is the delight of His people (Psalms 40:10; Psalms 92:2), but in the grave they will neither have cause nor power to do it. These two attributes, so often coupled together, are the keynote of Psalms 89. ‘Destruction,’ Heb. Abaddon, is almost a proper name for Sheol as the place of ruin: elsewhere only in the ‘Wisdom literature,’ Job 26:6; Job 28:22; Job 31:12; Proverbs 15:11; Proverbs 27:20. Cp. Revelation 9:11, where it is the name of “the angel of the abyss,” Gk. Apollyon, ‘the Destroyer.’
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 88:11
Shall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave? - Thy goodness; thy mercy. Shall anyone make it known there? shall it there be celebrated? Or thy faithfulness in destruction?
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 88:11
11. Destruction—The Hebrew word is simply parallel to grave in the previous line; equal to sheol, place of the dead. There is no allusion whatever to annihilation.
Sermons on Psalms 88:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Mental Agonies of Hell by Robert Murray M'Cheyne | Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the urgency of seeking the kingdom of heaven, drawing from Paul's example of striving for spiritual assurance and discipline even after conversion |
|
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards | The video is a summary of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards titled "Their Foot Shall Slide in Due Time" based on Deuteronomy 32:35. Edwards emphasizes the wrath of God and the impending |
|
(Through the Bible) Psalms 71-80 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing the power and majesty of God, highlighting His control over nature and His guidance of His people. The speaker then shifts to addre |
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A Tour of Hell by E.A. Johnston | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the urgency of accepting the Gospel and turning to Christ. He warns that sudden death can take people away without warning, just as the Bibl |
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This Is the Portion of a Wicked Man From God. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the inevitable connection between wrongdoing and its consequences, as illustrated in the Book of Job. He reflects on the beliefs of Eastern peoples regarding |
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Someone to Watch Over Me by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the struggles of Asaph, who felt his righteous efforts were in vain as he compared his suffering to the ease of the wicked. In his despair, Asaph questio |
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Standing in Slippery Places by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead's sermon 'Standing in Slippery Places' emphasizes the precarious state of the wicked who seem to prosper while the righteous suffer. He draws from Psalm 73, illustra |