Psalms 88:9
Psalms 88:9 in Multiple Translations
My eyes grow dim with grief. I call to You daily, O LORD; I spread out my hands to You.
Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.
Mine eye wasteth away by reason of affliction: I have called daily upon thee, O Jehovah; I have spread forth my hands unto thee.
My eyes are wasting away because of my trouble: Lord, my cry has gone up to you every day, my hands are stretched out to you.
I've cried my eyes out begging you every day for your help, Lord, holding out my hands to you.
Mine eye is sorowfull through mine affliction: Lord, I call dayly vpon thee: I stretch out mine hands vnto thee.
Mine eye hath grieved because of affliction, I called Thee, O Jehovah, all the day, I have spread out unto Thee my hands.
My eyes are dim from grief. I have called on you daily, LORD. I have spread out my hands to you.
My eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands to thee.
O Lord God of hosts, who is like to thee? thou art mighty, O Lord, and thy truth is round about thee.
My eyes cannot see well because I cry very much. Yahweh, every day I call out to you to help me; I lift up my hands to you while I pray.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 88:9
BAB
Word Study
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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 88:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הִרְחַ֥קְתָּ
מְיֻדָּעַ֗/י
מִ֫מֶּ֥/נִּי
שַׁתַּ֣/נִי
תוֹעֵב֣וֹת
לָ֑/מוֹ
כָּ֝לֻ֗א
וְ/לֹ֣א
אֵצֵֽא
הִרְחַ֥קְתָּ
râchaq
H7368
to remove
V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms
מְיֻדָּעַ֗/י
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Pual-Inf-c | Suff
מִ֫מֶּ֥/נִּי
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
שַׁתַּ֣/נִי
shîyth
H7896
to set
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
תוֹעֵב֣וֹת
tôwʻêbah
H8441
abomination
N-fp
לָ֑/מוֹ
Prep | Suff
כָּ֝לֻ֗א
kâlâʼ
H3607
to restrain
V-Qal-Inf-c
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
אֵצֵֽא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 88:9
הִרְחַ֥קְתָּ
râchaq
H7368
"to remove"
V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms
To remove or go far away, as in Genesis 21:16 where Hagar is sent away by Abraham. It means to create distance or separate oneself from something or someone.
Definition: v 1) to be or become far, be or become distant, be removed, go far away 1a) (Qal) to be far, be distant 1b) (Piel) to send far away, extend 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make or exhibit distance, be gone far 1c2) to remove, put far away 2) (Niphal) loose v inf (as adv) 3) at a distance
Usage: Occurs in 56 OT verses. KJV: (a-, be, cast, drive, get, go, keep (self), put, remove, be too, (wander), withdraw) far (away, off), loose, [idiom] refrain, very, (be) a good way (off). See also: Genesis 21:16; Psalms 119:150; Psalms 22:12.
מְיֻדָּעַ֗/י
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Pual-Inf-c | Suff
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
מִ֫מֶּ֥/נִּי
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
שַׁתַּ֣/נִי
shîyth
H7896
"to set"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means to place or set something, and it's used in many different ways, like appointing someone to a job or setting your mind to do something. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to lay hands on someone or make something happen.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, lay (hand upon) 1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to 1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform 1a4) to take one's stand 1a5) to lay waste 1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take. See also: Genesis 3:15; Psalms 21:7; Psalms 3:7.
תוֹעֵב֣וֹת
tôwʻêbah
H8441
"abomination"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for abomination refers to something disgusting, like idolatry or unclean food, and is often used to describe wickedness in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: abominable (custom, thing), abomination. See also: Genesis 43:32; Proverbs 26:25; Psalms 88:9.
לָ֑/מוֹ
""
Prep | Suff
כָּ֝לֻ֗א
kâlâʼ
H3607
"to restrain"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to hold something back or restrict it, often used in the Bible to describe God's control over human actions. It appears in books like Leviticus and Psalms, where it talks about restraining evil or withholding punishment. English Bibles translate it as 'restrain' or 'withhold'.
Definition: 1) to restrict, restrain, withhold, shut up, keep back, refrain, forbid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shut up 1a2) to restrain 1a3) to withhold 1b) (Niphal) to be restrained 1c) (Piel) to finish
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: finish, forbid, keep (back), refrain, restrain, retain, shut up, be stayed, withhold. See also: Genesis 8:2; Psalms 88:9; Psalms 40:10.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אֵצֵֽא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
Study Notes — Psalms 88:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 88:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 88:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 88:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 88:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 88:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 88:9
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 88:9
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 88:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 88:9
- Sermons on Psalms 88:9
Context — I Cry Out before You
7Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah
8You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape.
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 ?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 11:13 | As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him, |
| 2 | Psalms 38:10 | My heart pounds, my strength fails, and even the light of my eyes has faded. |
| 3 | Psalms 86:3 | Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long. |
| 4 | Psalms 143:6 | I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah |
| 5 | Psalms 42:3 | My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?” |
| 6 | Job 16:20 | My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out tears to God. |
| 7 | Psalms 6:7 | My eyes fail from grief; they grow dim because of all my foes. |
| 8 | Psalms 68:31 | Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God. |
| 9 | Psalms 102:9 | For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears |
| 10 | Job 17:7 | My eyes have grown dim with grief, and my whole body is but a shadow. |
Psalms 88:9 Summary
In Psalms 88:9, the psalmist is expressing their deep sadness and sorrow, saying that their eyes are growing dim with grief. They are calling out to God daily, spreading out their hands in surrender and desperation, much like we see in Psalms 143:6. This verse reminds us that it's okay to be honest with God about our struggles and emotions, and that He is our only hope and source of comfort, as seen in Psalms 55:17 and Lamentations 3:22-23. By bringing our struggles before God in prayer, we can find comfort and hope, even in the midst of great pain and sorrow, as expressed in Psalms 42:1-2 and Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the psalmist say their eyes grow dim with grief in Psalms 88:9?
The psalmist's eyes grow dim with grief due to the overwhelming sorrow and pain they are experiencing, as seen in Psalms 88:7, where God's wrath weighs heavily upon them, and in Psalms 88:8, where they have been removed from their friends and made repulsive to them, much like Job's experience in Job 19:13-19.
What does it mean to spread out hands to God in prayer?
Spreading out hands to God in prayer, as seen in Psalms 88:9, is a gesture of surrender, humility, and desperation, similar to what we see in Psalms 143:6, where David spreads out his hands to God, seeking His presence and guidance.
Why does the psalmist call to God daily despite their struggles?
The psalmist calls to God daily, as seen in Psalms 88:9, because they know that God is their only hope and source of comfort, as expressed in Psalms 55:17, where David says he calls to God daily, and in Lamentations 3:22-23, where Jeremiah says God's mercies are new every morning.
How can we apply the psalmist's example of daily prayer to our own lives?
We can apply the psalmist's example by making prayer a regular part of our daily routine, just like the psalmist in Psalms 88:9, and by being honest with God about our struggles and emotions, as seen in Psalms 42:1-2, where the psalmist pours out their heart to God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in my life that are causing my eyes to grow dim with grief, and how can I bring them before God in prayer?
- In what ways can I spread out my hands to God in surrender and humility, like the psalmist in Psalms 88:9?
- What are some things that I can do to make prayer a more regular and meaningful part of my daily routine, like the psalmist's daily call to God?
- How can I balance my desire for God's presence and comfort with the reality of my struggles and pain, like the psalmist in Psalms 88:9-11?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's goodness and love, even when I don't feel like He is near, as expressed in Psalms 23:4 and Romans 8:28?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 88:9
Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction,.... Or dropped tears, as the Targum, by which grief was vented; see Psalms 6:7.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 88:9
Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction - literally, faileth or pineth away (Psalms 6:7; Psalms 69:3).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 88:9
Understand, without effect; for thou dost not hear nor answer me.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 88:9
Psalms 88:9 Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee.Ver. 9. Lord, I have called daily upon thee] Which he would not have done if he had cast away his confidence; for "how shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed?" Romans 10:14. The saints, when they want the sun, yet they have the daystar in their hearts.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 88:9
(9) Mourneth.—Rather, fadeth, or pineth. So a Latin poet of the effects of weeping:— “Mæsta neque assiduo tabescere lumina fletu. Cessarent, tristique imbre madere genæ.” : xxviii. 55.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 88:9
9–12. Again (cp. Psalms 88:1) he pleads the constancy of his prayers. His strength is failing. He will soon be dead; and in the grave he will be beyond the reach of God’s love and faithfulness. Cp. Job 10:20 ff; Job 17:11 ff.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 88:9
Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction - I weep; my eye pours out tears. Literally, My eye pines away, or decays. Compare Job 16:20, note; Isaiah 38:3, note; Psalms 6:6, note.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 88:9
9. Mine eye mourneth… I have called daily… I have stretched out my hands—My eye, voice, and hands give expression daily of my suffering and peril, and plead for me.
Sermons on Psalms 88:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Seventh Degree of Humility by St. Benedict of Nursia | St. Benedict of Nursia preaches on the seventh degree of humility, emphasizing the importance of considering oneself lower and of less account than anyone else, not just in words b |
|
(Job: An Epic in Brokenness) 2. Where Job Went Wrong by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Job and explores where Job went wrong in his understanding of God's moral philosophy. The speaker explains that the ancient Orien |
|
"The Treachery of Hope Without Faith" by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the peril of placing hope in anything other than faith in God, arguing that hope without a solid foundation can lead to despair and disappointment. He contras |
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(Through the Bible) Psalms 31-40 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker begins by acknowledging the trials and troubles that people face in life. He expresses his own personal grief and the reproach he has faced from enemies |
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Are You at the End of Yourself? by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the spirit of discouragement as a powerful weapon used by Satan against believers, emphasizing that it can lead us to doubt our worthiness to serve God. H |
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Homily 3 on the Acts of the Apostles by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the selection of Matthias as an Apostle to replace Judas, emphasizing the importance of prayer, unity, and seeking God's guidance in making decisions. H |
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The Leader and His Home by David Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for faithful shepherds in the church and in families. He highlights the impact of fathers who have failed to shepherd their familie |