Psalms 88:17

KJV

They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.

KJV (with Strong's)

They came round about {H5437}{H8804)} me daily {H3117} like water {H4325}; they compassed {H5362}{H8689)} me about together {H3162}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They surge around me all day like a flood, from all sides they close in on me.

Berean Standard Bible

All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side.

American Standard Version

They came round about me like water all the day long; They compassed me about together.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 88:17 is a profound lament from the darkest of the psalms, articulating the psalmist Heman's overwhelming and relentless suffering. Through vivid aquatic imagery, the verse portrays an individual drowning in affliction, besieged daily by troubles that encircle him completely, leaving no avenue for escape or relief. It captures the raw, unvarnished cry of a soul experiencing profound abandonment and despair, highlighting the continuous and inescapable nature of his distress.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 88 stands unique within the Psalter as a "dark psalm" or "psalm of unremitting lament." Unlike most laments, it offers no turn to praise, no resolution, and no expression of hope at its conclusion, ending instead on a note of utter darkness and isolation. The preceding verses establish the psalmist's deep physical and spiritual distress, describing him as one cast into the pit, near death, and afflicted by God's wrath ([Psalms 88:6](/psalms/88-6 "Psalms 88:6 - Cast into the Lowest Pit"), [Psalms 88:7](/psalms/88-7 "Psalms 88:7 - Overwhelmed by God's Wrath")). He speaks of being abhorred by friends and acquaintances, confined in darkness ([Psalms 88:8](/psalms/88-8 "Psalms 88:8 - Friends Removed")). Verse 17 continues this narrative of relentless oppression, intensifying the imagery of being utterly submerged and surrounded by his troubles, setting the stage for the psalm's bleak conclusion where darkness is his only companion ([Psalms 88:18](/psalms/88-18 "Psalms 88:18 - Darkness My Only Companion")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical setting of Heman the Ezrahite is not detailed, his authorship suggests a connection to the Levitical musicians appointed by David ([1_chronicles/6-33](/1_chronicles/6-33 "1 Chronicles 6:33 - Heman, Son of Joel")). This background underscores that even those deeply involved in temple worship and service could experience profound spiritual and emotional desolation. The imagery of "water" as an overwhelming force would have resonated deeply in an ancient Near Eastern context, where floods were a tangible threat, symbolizing chaos, divine judgment, and inescapable danger. The concept of being "compassed about" or encircled was also a common experience in warfare and siege, evoking a sense of being trapped and under relentless attack, whether from physical enemies or, in this spiritual context, the relentless pressures of affliction.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Psalms 88:17, and indeed the entire psalm, is **unrelenting and overwhelming affliction**. The metaphor of "water" represents the sheer magnitude and engulfing nature of the psalmist's distress, portraying him as drowning in sorrow or trouble, a theme echoed elsewhere in the Psalter when describing profound despair, such as in [Psalms 69:1-2](/psalms/69-1 "Psalms 69:1-2 - Drowning in Deep Waters"). The phrase "daily like water" emphasizes the **continuous and unending nature of his suffering**, highlighting that it is not a momentary trial but a constant, oppressive burden that never recedes. Furthermore, "they compassed me about together" conveys a profound sense of **isolation within an inescapable circle of pain**, where the psalmist feels hemmed in by his troubles, with no escape or relief. This feeling of being surrounded by enemies or troubles is a recurring motif in the Psalms, reflecting the vulnerability of the righteous in a fallen world, as seen in [Psalms 22:16](/psalms/22-16 "Psalms 22:16 - Surrounded by Dogs").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Water (Hebrew, _mayim_):** This word, often used in its plural form, signifies not just liquid but frequently serves as a powerful metaphor in the Old Testament for overwhelming danger, chaos, distress, or divine judgment. Just as a flood can sweep away everything in its path, so too are the psalmist's afflictions depicted as consuming him, threatening to drown his very soul. The imagery evokes a sense of being submerged and suffocated by the sheer volume and force of his troubles.
* **Compassed (Hebrew, _savav_):** This verb means "to surround," "to encircle," or "to go around." Its use here emphasizes the psalmist's feeling of being completely hemmed in, besieged from all sides by his troubles. There is no direction in which he can turn for escape; the affliction is not merely upon him but entirely around him, creating a sense of inescapable entrapment and claustrophobia. The collective "together" further intensifies this feeling of a unified, relentless onslaught.
* **Daily (Hebrew, _yom_):** While literally meaning "day," in this context, "daily" (יוֹם) highlights the persistent and unceasing nature of the suffering. It is not an intermittent or occasional trial but a constant, recurring burden that assaults the psalmist every single day. This temporal aspect underscores the weariness and hopelessness that such relentless pressure would induce, making the affliction feel like an unending siege.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They came round about me daily like water;":** This clause introduces the primary metaphor of the verse. The unspecified "they" refers to the collective force of the psalmist's afflictions, sorrows, or perhaps even the manifestations of God's wrath as described earlier in the psalm. The comparison "like water" vividly portrays these troubles as an overwhelming flood, a torrent that continuously washes over and around him. The adverb "daily" emphasizes the relentless, unceasing nature of this inundation, indicating that the suffering is not a fleeting moment but a constant, oppressive reality that never recedes.
* **"they compassed me about together.":** This second clause reinforces and intensifies the imagery of the first. The verb "compassed" (סָבַב, _savav_) explicitly states the encircling nature of the affliction, leaving no avenue for escape. The addition of "together" suggests a unified, concerted assault, as if all his troubles have converged and conspired to completely surround him. This creates a powerful picture of being trapped and besieged, highlighting the psalmist's utter helplessness and the pervasive nature of his despair.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 88:17 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the psalmist's profound distress. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the psalmist's troubles are compared to "water." This is not merely a simile ("like water") but a deep metaphorical association, implying that the troubles *are* an engulfing, life-threatening flood. This aquatic imagery effectively communicates the overwhelming, suffocating, and chaotic nature of his suffering. **Hyperbole** is also present, as the "daily" inundation and complete encirclement suggest an extreme, almost unbearable degree of affliction, emphasizing the psalmist's subjective experience of total despair. Furthermore, the two clauses, while distinct, function as a form of **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("they compassed me about together") reiterates and intensifies the meaning of the first ("They came round about me daily like water"). This repetition serves to emphasize the relentless and inescapable nature of the psalmist's predicament, reinforcing the central theme of overwhelming and pervasive suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 88:17 provides a crucial theological insight into the depths of human suffering and the biblical permission to express profound lament. It acknowledges that faith does not exempt one from experiencing overwhelming, relentless despair, even to the point of feeling utterly abandoned by God and humanity. This psalm, through its unvarnished portrayal of suffering, validates the rawest human emotions in the presence of the Divine, reminding us that God is big enough to receive our darkest cries without offering an immediate, simplistic resolution. It underscores the mysterious reality of suffering, even for the righteous, and invites believers to bring their full, unedited pain before the Lord.

* [Psalms 69:1-2](/psalms/69-1 "Psalms 69:1-2 - Save Me from the Deep Waters")
* [Jonah 2:3](/jonah/2-3 "Jonah 2:3 - Overwhelmed by the Deep")
* [Lamentations 3:1-18](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1-18 - The Man Who Has Seen Affliction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 88:17 offers a profound and sobering validation for those experiencing deep, unrelenting suffering, whether from physical illness, mental health struggles, grief, or spiritual desolation. It reminds us that the biblical narrative does not shy away from the raw realities of human pain, even when that pain feels endless and without visible hope. This verse grants us permission to express our profound despair and feelings of being overwhelmed directly to God, without needing to sugarcoat our emotions or force a premature sense of resolution. In a world that often pressures individuals to "stay positive" or quickly "get over" their struggles, Psalms 88:17 stands as a powerful counter-narrative, affirming that lament, even without immediate answers or a clear path to hope, is a vital and legitimate part of the spiritual journey. It encourages us to bring our whole, unvarnished selves to God, trusting that even in the deepest pits, our cries are heard, even if the darkness persists.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "compassed about" or overwhelmed by unrelenting pressures, "daily like water"?**
* **How does the raw honesty of Psalms 88:17 challenge or affirm your understanding of prayer and lament?**
* **What does it mean to bring your unvarnished despair to God, even when there's no immediate sense of hope or resolution?**
* **How can you extend grace and space for lament to others who are experiencing profound and seemingly endless suffering?**

### FAQ
**Why does Psalms 88 end without hope, unlike most other laments?**

Answer: Psalms 88 is unique in the Psalter precisely because it offers no clear resolution or expression of hope, ending instead on a note of profound darkness and isolation ([Psalms 88:18](/psalms/88-18 "Psalms 88:18 - Darkness My Only Companion")). This distinct characteristic serves several important theological purposes. Firstly, it validates the experience of unremitting suffering, acknowledging that not all pain has an immediate, discernible end or a neat resolution within our earthly experience. Secondly, it teaches us that lament itself is a legitimate form of prayer and worship, even when it is raw and without a clear 'turn' to praise. It demonstrates that God is big enough to hear and hold our deepest despair without requiring us to pretend we are okay. Finally, it may serve as a prophetic foreshadowing of the ultimate suffering of Christ, who experienced the depths of abandonment and despair without immediate human comfort, culminating in His cry from the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 88:17, with its portrayal of relentless, overwhelming suffering and profound abandonment, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Heman's lament is deeply personal, it echoes the very depths of suffering that the Son of God would endure. Jesus, in His incarnation, truly experienced being "compassed about" by the forces of sin, evil, and human rejection, culminating in His agony in Gethsemane and on the cross. In Gethsemane, He was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Overwhelmed with Sorrow")), feeling the crushing weight of the world's sin pressing in on Him "daily like water." On the cross, He experienced the ultimate abandonment, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - The Cry of Abandonment")), a forsaking that allowed Him to be "compassed about together" by the wrath of God against sin, so that we might never be. His descent into the "lowest pit" of death and separation from the Father ([Psalms 88:6](/psalms/88-6 "Psalms 88:6 - Cast into the Lowest Pit")) was for our salvation. Thus, the dark lament of Psalms 88, seemingly without hope, becomes a prophetic anticipation of the one who would plumb the very depths of human and divine abandonment, emerging victorious over the waters of death and despair, offering true hope and rescue to all who are overwhelmed ([Hebrews 2:9](/hebrews/2-9 "Hebrews 2:9 - Jesus Tasted Death for Everyone")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 22:16

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Psalms 116:3

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.

Psalms 69:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, [A Psalm] of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto [my] soul.

Psalms 69:2

I sink in deep mire, where [there is] no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

Psalms 124:4

Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

Job 30:14

They came [upon me] as a wide breaking in [of waters]: in the desolation they rolled themselves [upon me].

Job 30:15

¶ Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.