Psalm 88:10

Translations

Modern

Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah

Traditional

Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.

Literal

Will You work wonders for the dead? And if departed spirits rise up, do they thank You? Selah

Latin

Numquid mortuis facies mirabilia? aut medici suscitabunt, et confitebuntur tibi?

Original

Hebrew

English

Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah

Notes

Psalms 88:8–12

In his second charge, the psalmist claims that God has isolated him and caused his loneliness (compare Psalms 31:11; 38:11). In that culture, loneliness was a curse because relationships mattered more than personal success.

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Calling up the Dead

Related verses

Psalm 6:5
For there is no mention of You in death; who can praise You from Sheol?
Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.
Isaiah 38:18–19
For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.
Psalm 30:9
“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?
1 Corinthians 15:52–57
…in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Mark 5:35–36
While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?”
Psalm 115:17
It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence.
Job 14:7–12
For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail.
Ezekiel 37:1–14
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones.
Luke 7:12–16
As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.
Psalm 118:17
I will not die, but I will live and proclaim what the LORD has done.

People

Selah: A musical or liturgical term of uncertain meaning

Glossary

Heman Korahite, Korathite Life Mahalath Leannoth Music Numbers, Book of Place of the Dead Psalms, Book of Rephaim Resurrection Sheol Soul Zerah

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Afflictions and Adversities: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Dead (People): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Hades: The Realm (State) of the Dead

Psalm 88:10

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