Psalm 88:1
88:1 A Song [or] Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief
     Musician upon Mahalath {a} Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the
     Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day
     [and] night {b} before thee:

     (a) That is, to humble. It was the beginning of a song by
         which tune this psalm was sung.
     (b) Though many cry in their sorrows, yet they cry not
         earnestly to God for remedy as he did whom he confessed
         to be the author of his salvation.

Psalm 88:5
88:5 {c} Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the
     grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off
     from thy {d} hand.

     (c) For he who is dead is free from all cares and business
         of this life and thus he says because he was
         unprofitable for all matters concerning man's life, and
         as it were cut off from this world.
     (d) That is, from your providence and care, which is meant
         according to the judgment of the flesh.

Psalm 88:7
88:7 Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted [me]
     with all thy {e} waves. Selah.

     (e) The storms of your wrath have overwhelmed me.

Psalm 88:8
88:8 Thou hast put away mine {f} acquaintance far from me; thou
     hast made me an abomination unto them: {g} [I am] shut up,
     and I cannot come forth.

     (f) He attributes the loss and displeasure of his friends
         to God's providence by which he partly punishes and
         partly tries his.
     (g) I see no end to my sorrows.

Psalm 88:9
88:9 {h} Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have
     called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto
     thee.

     (h) My eyes and face declare my sorrows.

Psalm 88:10
88:10 Wilt thou shew {i} wonders to the dead? shall the dead
      arise [and] praise thee? Selah.

      (i) He shows that the time is more convenient for God to
          help when men call to him in their dangers, than to
          tarry till they are dead, and then raise them up
          again.

Psalm 88:12
88:12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy
      righteousness in the land {k} of forgetfulness?

      (k) That is, in the grave, where only the body lies
          without all sense and remembrance.

Psalm 88:15
88:15 I [am] afflicted and ready to die {l} from [my] youth up:
      [while] I suffer thy terrors I am distracted.

      (l) I am always in great dangers and sorrows as though my
          life would utterly be cut off every moment.