Psalm 88 13

Psalm 88:13 kjv

But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.

Psalm 88:13 nkjv

But to You I have cried out, O LORD, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.

Psalm 88:13 niv

But I cry to you for help, LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Psalm 88:13 esv

But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Psalm 88:13 nlt

O LORD, I cry out to you.
I will keep on pleading day by day.

Psalm 88 verses

Psalm 88 13 Meaning

Psalm 88:13 expresses the psalmist's unwavering devotion and persistent cry to the covenant God, Yahweh, even amidst profound despair. Despite feeling abandoned and afflicted by God's perceived wrath (as described throughout Psalm 88), Heman steadfastly turns to the LORD, diligently presenting his desperate prayer to Him each morning, demonstrating a faith that clings to God when all other hope seems lost. It marks a poignant moment in a psalm of utter lament, where the sufferer's only act is persistent supplication to the Divine, regardless of a response.

Psalm 88 13 Context

Psalm 88 is famously known as one of the "darkest" or "gloomiest" psalms, characterized by its profound and unrelenting lament without a discernible turn to praise or deliverance at its conclusion. The psalmist, Heman the Ezrahite, describes a comprehensive state of affliction: he feels cut off, close to death, oppressed by God's wrath, rejected by friends, and trapped in overwhelming darkness and deep distress (v.3-12, 14-18). It portrays a soul suffering to the brink of the grave, perceiving God Himself as the source of his anguish. Within this suffocating context of despair, verse 13 stands out as a stark contrast. It is the sole verse where Heman asserts his deliberate and continuous act of calling out and bringing his prayer to the LORD. This pivot, though brief, reveals a profound determination to persist in seeking God's face, even when God's face seems hidden or wrathful.

Historically, Heman was a Levite and a renowned temple musician, one of those appointed to prophesy with harps, lyres, and cymbals (1 Chr 6:33, 25:5). His position underscores that even those dedicated to sacred service could experience profound spiritual desolation. Culturally, "in the morning" (babbaqqer) was a customary and significant time for prayer and presenting sacrifices in ancient Israel (e.g., Exod 29:39; Ps 5:3), seen as a time of renewed opportunity and dedication before the day's tasks, implicitly carrying a hope for light in contrast to the night's darkness.

Psalm 88 13 Word analysis

• But: This introductory conjunction serves as a sharp contrast, shifting from the deep descriptions of the psalmist's suffering, desolation, and perception of divine affliction (v.3-12) to an act of intentional, persistent faith. It indicates that despite everything, the psalmist continues to engage God.
• to you, O LORD (אֵלֶ֣יךָ יְ֭הוָה):
  • Elêyka (אֵלֶ֣יךָ): This is a strong directional "to You," emphasizing the specific and singular recipient of the psalmist's desperate plea. His cry is not random wailing but purposefully aimed at God.
  • YHWH (יְהוָה): "LORD" (Yahweh) is the personal, covenantal name of God. This signifies that the psalmist is not merely crying to a distant deity, but to the God with whom Israel has a sacred covenant, to the God of promise and steadfast love. Even in felt abandonment, Heman clings to the relational name of God, indicating an enduring trust in His ultimate character, even if not His current action. This also contrasts with pagan ideas of arbitrary gods.
• I cry (צָעַ֣קְתִּי):
  • tsa'aqti (ṣāʿaqti): Derived from the root ṣāʿaq, meaning "to cry aloud," "to call for help," "to shriek," or "to groan." This is not a casual or quiet prayer; it signifies an intense, desperate, and urgent appeal stemming from profound distress, often associated with a plea for immediate deliverance or justice (e.g., Exod 2:23; 2 Chr 18:31).
• in the morning (בַּבֹּ֑קֶר):
  • babbaqqer (בַּבֹּ֑קֶר): "in the morning." This temporal detail is significant. In Hebrew thought, the morning was a common time for beginning new endeavors, for worship, for prayer, and for the presenting of daily sacrifices (Exod 29:39; Ps 5:3). It carries connotations of light replacing darkness, new opportunities, and consistent discipline. Its inclusion here highlights the psalmist's diligent, regular, and perhaps hopeful, practice of seeking God even amidst spiritual "night." It implies persistence against a background of darkness that persists in the psalm's overall theme.
• my prayer (תְּ֝פִלָּתִ֗י):
  • tᵉphillātî (תְּפִלָּתִ֗י): The common Hebrew noun for "prayer," "intercession," or "supplication." This indicates the formal or recognized act of communication with God.
• comes before you (תְּקַדְּמֶֽךָּ):
  • tᵉqaddᵉmekkā (תְּקַדְּמֶֽךָּ): From the root qādam, meaning "to go before," "to meet," or "to anticipate." It doesn't mean passively waiting for the prayer to float up; rather, it suggests an active, diligent, and perhaps urgent bringing of the prayer into God's presence—a proactive "causing to come before." It implies an expectation, however faint, that God will receive or respond to the petition, emphasizing the psalmist's intentionality and unwavering habit.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis:

• "But to you, O LORD, I cry": This phrase sets the entire verse apart. It conveys a resolute act of faith, pivoting from despair to a direct, intensely personal, and urgent appeal specifically to the covenant God, Yahweh, demonstrating absolute reliance on Him as the only recourse.
• "and in the morning my prayer comes before you": This clause emphasizes the disciplined, persistent nature of the psalmist's devotion. It's not a single, spontaneous outcry but a consistent, deliberate, daily habit of prayer. "Comes before you" underlines the active role of the supplicant in ensuring his prayer reaches God's ear, a testament to unyielding hope amidst crushing darkness.

Psalm 88 13 Bonus section

• Psalm 88 is often viewed as unique because, unlike most laments in the Psalter, it does not conclude with a shift to praise or an assurance of deliverance. This makes verse 13 all the more striking as the single instance of active faith and directed appeal to God, existing in stark contrast to the surrounding verses of relentless suffering and spiritual desolation.
• The raw honesty of this psalm, and specifically Heman's persistent appeal despite profound suffering, prefigures the agonizing prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane, where He, facing overwhelming distress, still cried out to His Father (Mt 26:39; Heb 5:7). Jesus's cry of dereliction on the cross ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?") echoes the sentiment of deep, felt abandonment while still addressing God, showcasing the same paradox of suffering faith.
• This verse stands as a testament to radical dependence. Heman has nothing left—no friends, no hope in life, and perceives God's wrath upon him—yet his only, fundamental action is to call upon the LORD, highlighting the singular source of hope and strength in an otherwise hopeless scenario.
• The phrase "comes before you" could also carry an anticipatory sense, implying that the psalmist is "preparing the way" for his prayer, ensuring it is ready and presented for God's attention. This underscores a diligent, almost dutiful, approach to prayer even in extreme personal darkness.

Psalm 88 13 Commentary

Psalm 88:13 offers a profound glimpse into faith's tenacious grip, even when the grasp seems futile. It highlights the psalmist's unwavering commitment to approach the LORD, Yahweh, personally and desperately. Amidst what he perceives as divine rejection and overwhelming darkness described elsewhere in the psalm, Heman refuses to abandon the lifeline of prayer. His "cry" (ṣāʿaq) is raw and desperate, reflecting an immediate, agonizing need for divine intervention. Yet, this cry is disciplined and consistent—"in the morning"—indicating that his daily routine of seeking God persists despite a lack of answers or relief. His prayer doesn't just passively rise; it "comes before" God, suggesting active intentionality and a continued expectation that God is attentive. This verse powerfully teaches that true faith perseveres not necessarily because circumstances improve, but because God alone remains the ultimate hope and destination of the anguished heart. It models persistent, honest, and direct communion with God, even when the experience of His presence is utterly absent, providing a template for how believers can genuinely cling to the covenant LORD in their deepest valleys.

• Examples: A long-suffering saint continues their daily quiet time despite feeling no spiritual comfort or connection. A person grieving immense loss still recites morning prayers, simply out of habit and the belief that God is still God, even when He seems distant. An intercessor faithfully prays for a seemingly unchangeable situation, bringing their persistent petitions "before" God each day.