Psalm 88 6

Psalm 88:6 kjv

Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

Psalm 88:6 nkjv

You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths.

Psalm 88:6 niv

You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.

Psalm 88:6 esv

You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.

Psalm 88:6 nlt

You have thrown me into the lowest pit,
into the darkest depths.

Psalm 88 verses

Psalm 88 6 Meaning

Psalm 88:6 expresses the psalmist Heman's profound and overwhelming despair, articulating a deep sense of abandonment and suffering perceived to be directly inflicted by God. The imagery conveys a descent into the absolute lowest, darkest, and most desolate states imaginable, symbolizing a spiritual, emotional, and possibly physical condition akin to being in the realm of the dead or completely overwhelmed by a destructive force. It is a cry from the depths of existential agony.

Psalm 88 6 Context

Psalm 88 is uniquely profound as it is arguably the darkest and most desperate psalm of lament in the entire Psalter, ending without the typical turning point of hope, praise, or deliverance. The author, Heman the Ezrahite (likely a Levite musician, 1 Chr 6:33; 15:19), pours out his heart in unremitting anguish. He suffers from a mysterious affliction—physical illness, social ostracism, and the crushing feeling of divine abandonment and wrath. Verse 6 falls within the section (Psa 88:3-9) where Heman graphically details the extent of his suffering and isolation, directly attributing it to God. The language employed draws heavily from imagery associated with death, Sheol (the realm of the dead), imprisonment, and deep water, signifying a total immersion in despair and an existence overshadowed by impending doom, as if God himself has actively placed him in this terminal state.

Psalm 88 6 Word analysis

• You have laid me (הִשַּׁתָּנִי – hishshattanī):

  • This is from the root שׁוּת (shut) or שִׁית (shit), meaning "to place," "to put," "to set."
  • The "You" refers directly to God, which is a core and painful aspect of the lament. The psalmist perceives his terrible plight as God's deliberate act, not just an unfortunate circumstance. This makes the suffering even more acute and bewildering.
  • Significance: It highlights divine sovereignty even over suffering, though it's expressed here in raw agony and confusion. It underscores Heman's conviction that his deep despair is not random but divinely ordained.

• in the lowest pit, (בְּבוֹר תַּחְתִּיּוֹת – bəvor takhtiyyôt):

  • בְּבוֹר (bəvor): "in the pit/cistern/well." A bor can be a prison pit (Gen 40:15; Jer 38:6) or a burial place/grave. It suggests confinement, decay, and removal from life.
  • תַּחְתִּיּוֹת (takhtiyyôt): "lowest parts," "depths," "netherworld." This is a strong intensifying word, signifying the very deepest possible place. It is often used in conjunction with Sheol.
  • Significance: This phrase portrays not just any pit, but the lowest, most inaccessible and dreadful dungeon, strongly evoking the realm of the dead (Sheol) or being buried alive. It symbolizes being utterly removed from the living and hope.

• in dark places, (בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּים – bəmakhashakkîm):

  • בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּים (bəmakhashakkîm): "in darkness," "dark places." This term often denotes the literal absence of light, but also symbolically the abode of the dead, places of misery, ignorance, and spiritual oppression.
  • Significance: Darkness here represents not just gloom, but isolation, absence of comfort, an inability to perceive help, and being enveloped by death's shadow. It aligns with biblical imagery of the grave as a place of eternal darkness (Job 10:21-22).

• in the depths. (בִּמְצֹלוֹת – bim'tsōlōt):

  • בִּמְצֹלוֹת (bim'tsōlōt): "in the depths," often specifically "the depths of the sea" or deep waters. The root means "to sink," "to be submerged."
  • Significance: This imagery suggests being drowned or submerged, overwhelmed by forces that pull one down, unable to breathe or rise above. It amplifies the sense of helplessness and complete engulfment, recalling the chaos waters of creation and death's overwhelming power (Ps 69:1-2).

• Words-group analysis:

  • The tripartite structure ("lowest pit," "dark places," "the depths") is a masterful use of Hebrew parallelism and intensification. Each phrase, while distinct, builds upon and reinforces the other, creating a cumulative image of profound, absolute, and suffocating distress. The psalmist is not merely in one dire state but trapped in an interwoven web of ultimate despair, encompassing confinement (pit), blindness/isolation (darkness), and drowning/overwhelm (depths).
  • The progression from a confined pit to expansive darkness to engulfing depths illustrates a comprehensive attack on Heman's existence, perceived as divine action. There is no dimension of life that is not affected by this crushing burden.

Psalm 88 6 Bonus section

Psalm 88 is notably the only psalm that ends without any ray of hope or expression of faith in deliverance. This profound uniqueness contributes to its power. It provides a theological space for unvarnished suffering, indicating that even in deepest desolation, prayer continues, addressing God directly. This lament, in its complete lack of a typical positive resolution, mirrors the unredeemed aspects of human experience this side of heaven. Typologically, it is often seen by Christian scholars as one of the deepest prophecies of Christ's suffering on the cross, particularly His cry of abandonment, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Ps 22:1; Matt 27:46). Christ, though innocent, was "laid" into the pit of humanity's sin, entering into the deepest darkness and suffering on behalf of all.

Psalm 88 6 Commentary

Psalm 88:6 is a cry from the deepest possible despair, portraying a life not just afflicted but actively "laid" into the conditions of death by God's hand. Heman the Ezrahite describes an extreme state of isolation, spiritual and emotional desolation, using three intensifying metaphors: "lowest pit," "dark places," and "depths." The "lowest pit" speaks of a grave-like confinement, separated from the living. "Dark places" amplifies this to an existence void of light, hope, or awareness of divine presence, characteristic of Sheol. "In the depths" further emphasizes an overwhelming, suffocating force, like being drowned, from which there is no escape. This verse uniquely captures the raw, unfiltered experience of faith in the face of perceived divine abandonment, revealing that true lament does not shy away from accusing God when feeling forsaken. It stands as a profound testament to the Bible's honesty about human suffering, allowing space for even the most agonizing expressions of pain and loss without a resolution of immediate hope. It is a psalm that Christians can return to when faced with suffering that defies simple answers, showing that authentic prayer encompasses even the most desolate cries to God.