Psalms 88

Psalms 88:1

THE title: [Heman] it seemes to be the same as is named, 1 Kings 4:31. [Ezrahite] of the off-spring of Zarah the sonne of Iudah, 1 Chronicles 2:6.

Psalms 88:3

Vnto the grave] Heb to hell, because that according to the first degree of Gods justice the first death is inseparable from the second, and the name of hell is common to both. And though by the second degree which is grace, by vertue of the Messias his redemption, corporall death to Gods children, beno more a passage to everlasting death: yet the name of hell hath still kept its ordinary signification of both: to shew that not by the nature of death, but by Gods grace these two deaths are severed one from the other in the elect.

Psalms 88:5

Free among] Others translate it, I am severed from the living: [whom] over which, in respect of the body, and this present life, thou doeest no more shew thy providence, in governing and relieving them, and in bestowing other benefits upon them.

Psalms 88:8

Shut up] namely by evills and dangers, without any way to getout, without any comfort or reliefe.

Psalms 88:9

I have stretched out] see upon Iob 11. 13.

Psalms 88:10

Wilt thou shew] the Italian, wilt thou work] the meaning is, if thou doest leave me in this case long, I cannot chuse but fall, and die; then can thy glory appeare no more in my miraculous deliverance, see Job 7:7 [The dead] Heb. the gyants, that is to say, those that are abissed and sunk in death, as the gyants were in the generall deluge. Sometimes this name is taken for the damned, as Iob 26. 5. and sometimes plainly for the dead, Isaiah 26:19. by reason of what was said upon, verse 3 [Arise] he doth not meane the generall resurrection, nor any particular one, which happened by miracle; but of the common course according to which the dead returne no more into the world to enjoy any new benefits of God.

Psalms 88:11

In destruction] that is to say, in hell, see v. 3 Iob. 28. 22.

Psalms 88:12

In the land] namely, in death, in which the dead forget the living and the state of this present life, Iob 14. 21 Eccles. 9. 5. 6. and likewise the living doe forget the dead, Iob 24. 20. and all commerce is taken away, and annihilated betweene them.

Psalms 88:15

Ready to die] the Italian addeth, with roaring, with my lamentable crying out, as Psal. 22. 1.

Psalms 88:18

In darknesse] the Italian, are hidden in darknesse, I can see nor descry none of them, or they hide themselves from mee thorough horrour, and being ashamed of mine afflictions.