Psalm 88:1

Translations

Modern

A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You.

Traditional

A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

Literal

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, for the one directing. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O YHWH, God of my salvation, by day I have cried out, and in the night before You.

Latin

Canticum Psalmi, filiis Core, in finem, pro Maheleth ad respondendum. Intellectus Eman Ezrahitæ. Domine, Deus salutis meæ, in die clamavi et nocte coram te.

Original

Hebrew

English

A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You.

Notes

Psalms 88:1

A Maskil: This may be a literary or musical term.
Heman the Ezrahite: Heman might have been:
- a wise person from the time of King Solomon (1 Kings 4:31),
- a descendant of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:6), or
- a member of the Levite family responsible for singing at the temple (1 Chronicles 15:17; 2 Chronicles 5:12).

Psalms 88:1–5

The psalmist calls on the Lord for salvation.

Psalms 88:1–18

In this lament, the psalmist sees himself as cast out from God’s presence. At first, he calls on the Lord. When he finds no relief from his suffering, he presents three charges against God (Psalm 88:6–7, 8–12, 13–17).

Related verses

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
Psalm 22:2
I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.
Luke 18:7
Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?
Psalm 86:3
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long.
Genesis 49:18
I await Your salvation, O LORD.
Psalm 27:9
Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Titus 3:4–7
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
1 Kings 4:31
He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations.
Psalm 53:1
For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.
Luke 2:30
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Psalm 51:14
Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
Titus 2:13
…as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

People

Heman: A wise man during Solomon's time Korah: Levite rebel leader; his descendants became temple servants Mahalath: A musical or literary term in the Psalms Maskil: A musical or literary term in the Psalms Zerah: Son of Judah, twin of Perez

Glossary

Ezrahite Heman Korahite, Korathite Mahalath Leannoth Music Numbers, Book of Psalms, Book of Zerah

Topics

God: Saviour Heman: |The Singer| a Chief Levite, and Musician: |Maschil of| Title of Korah: Son of Kohath, and Head of the Family of Sacred Musicians Among the Levites To Music: Makalath, Maschil, Leannoth: These Terms are Found in the Titles of Music: Maschil: This Musical Sign Occurs in the Titles of Prayer: Importunity In Prayer: Twice Daily Private Prayer: should be offered: Day and Night Psalms: Afflictions

Psalm 88:1

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