Psalms 88:8

Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: [I am] shut up, and I cannot come forth.

Thou hast put away {H7368} mine acquaintance {H3045}{H8794)} far {H7368}{H8689)} from me; thou hast made {H7896}{H8804)} me an abomination {H8441} unto them: I am shut up {H3607}{H8803)}, and I cannot come forth {H3318}{H8799)}.

You separated me from my close friends, made me repulsive to them; I am caged in, with no escape;

You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape.

Thou hast put mine acquaintance far from me; Thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

Psalms 88:8 is a poignant cry of profound isolation and despair, part of what is considered one of the darkest psalms in the Bible. The psalmist, Heman the Ezrahite, expresses a feeling of utter abandonment by both God and man.

Context

Psalm 88 stands out as a unique lament, as it concludes without the typical shift to hope or resolution found in most other psalms of complaint. The entire psalm paints a picture of deep distress, sickness, and a sense of being overwhelmed by darkness and the grave. Verse 8 specifically articulates the social dimension of this suffering, where even close relationships have been severed, adding to the psalmist's torment.

Key Themes

  • Profound Isolation: The primary theme is the psalmist's complete detachment from his social circle. He feels utterly alone, forsaken by those who once knew him well.
  • Social Rejection and Stigma: The phrase "thou hast made me an abomination unto them" reveals a deep sense of being repugnant or detestable in the eyes of others. This isn't just distance; it's active revulsion, leading to social ostracism. For similar experiences of social rejection, one might consider the suffering of Job, whose friends also turned against him in his affliction.
  • Feeling of Confinement: "I am shut up, and I cannot come forth" vividly describes a state of physical or metaphorical imprisonment. This could refer to illness confining him, the despair that traps his spirit, or even literal incarceration, preventing any escape or relief. This sense of being trapped is a recurring motif in the psalm, mirroring the darkness and deep pit mentioned earlier in the chapter.
  • Divine Agency in Suffering: Crucially, the psalmist attributes his suffering directly to God ("Thou hast put away," "thou hast made me"). This reflects a common biblical understanding that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even painful ones, though the psalmist does not understand the reason for his plight.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "abomination" is to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה), which often refers to something detestable or abhorrent, particularly in a moral or religious sense. Here, it describes how the psalmist is perceived by his acquaintances, emphasizing the intensity of their aversion. The phrase "shut up" (כָּלִיא, kali) literally means "confined" or "imprisoned," underscoring the psalmist's complete inability to escape his dire circumstances or interact with the outside world.

Practical Application

Psalms 88:8 offers a vital perspective for believers: it validates the experience of profound spiritual and social isolation. It teaches us that it is permissible to express raw, unfiltered despair to God, even when there seems to be no immediate hope or resolution. This psalm reminds us that even figures of faith can endure periods where they feel utterly abandoned and rejected by everyone, including those they once knew. Ultimately, this lament foreshadows the ultimate abandonment experienced by Jesus on the cross, who cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" His suffering provides solidarity and hope for all who feel "shut up" and alone, knowing that Christ understands their deepest pain.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 31:11

    I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

  • John 15:23

    He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

  • John 15:24

    If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

  • Isaiah 49:7

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, [and] the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

  • Jeremiah 32:2

    For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which [was] in the king of Judah's house.

  • Zechariah 11:8

    Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.

  • Job 30:10

    They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.

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