Psalms 88:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Will you perform wonders for the dead? Can the ghosts of the dead rise up and praise you? (Selah)

Berean Standard Bible:

Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah

American Standard Version:

Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall they that are deceased arise and praise thee? [Selah

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Wilt thou shew^{H6213}{H8799)} wonders^{H6382} to the dead^{H4191}{H8801)}? shall the dead^{H7496} arise^{H6965}{H8799)} and praise^{H3034}{H8686)} thee? Selah^{H5542}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Psalms 88:10

Psalm 88 is traditionally attributed to Heman the Ezrahite, who is identified in 1 Kings 4:31 as one of the wise men of King Solomon's time. This particular psalm is known for its somber tone, as it is a lament expressing deep distress and feelings of abandonment by God. Unlike other lament psalms, Psalm 88 does not conclude with a statement of praise or confidence in God's deliverance, which makes it unique in its unrelenting despair.

The verse Psalms 88:10 reads: "Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah." In this verse, the psalmist is questioning whether God's acts of wonder and salvation can reach those who have died. The rhetorical questions imply a negative answer, reflecting the belief that the dead cannot witness or praise God for His mighty deeds because they are beyond the realm of the living. The term "Selah" is a musical or liturgical direction in the Psalms, likely indicating a pause for reflection or a musical interlude, and it serves to emphasize the gravity of the questions posed.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the ancient Hebrew understanding of the afterlife, which was not as developed as in later Jewish and Christian thought. In the period when this psalm was written, the prevailing view was that all the dead went to Sheol, a shadowy place of existence, regardless of their moral conduct in life. The idea of resurrection and an afterlife where the dead could praise God was not fully formed, which adds to the despair of the psalmist's plea.

In summary, Psalm 88:10 reflects the psalmist's profound anguish and sense of hopelessness, as he contemplates whether the dead can experience God's saving acts or offer Him praise. This verse captures the raw emotion of someone grappling with the finality of death and the silence of God in the face of suffering, themes that resonate deeply with those who confront existential questions about life, death, and divine presence.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6382
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּלֶא
   Transliteration: peleʼ
   Pronunciation: peh'-leh
   Description: from פָּלָא; a miracle; marvellous thing, wonder(-ful, -fully).
   
3. Strong's Number: H4191
   There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּת
   Transliteration: mûwth
   Pronunciation: mooth
   Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7496
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָפָא
   Transliteration: râphâʼ
   Pronunciation: raw-faw'
   Description: from רָפָא in the sense of רָפָה; properly, lax, i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only); dead, deceased.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6965
   There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּם
   Transliteration: qûwm
   Pronunciation: koom
   Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); 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).
   
6. Strong's Number: H3034
   There are 111 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדָה
   Transliteration: yâdâh
   Pronunciation: yaw-daw'
   Description: a primitive root; used only as denominative from יָד; literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands); cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).
   
7. Strong's Number: H5542
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סֶלָה
   Transliteration: çelâh
   Pronunciation: seh'-law
   Description: from סָלָה; suspension (of music), i.e. pause; Selah.