Psa 88:10 | KingComments | STEP | Heman goes on to ask the LORD a number of questions. These are questions that impose themselves on him while he stands on the brink of death. They are questions about the praise of God that is not done by the dead, but by the living (cf. ). They are not questions of unbelief, but questions that arise from a limited knowledge of God as a result of extreme affliction and despair, which obscures the view of Him and His actions. There is also faith in them. His first question echoes the idea that God can “perform wonders for the dead” ( ). In his second question, he says it more specifically and asks if those who have died would rise to praise Him. Among Old Testament believers there is the idea that praise, – and the LORD is enthroned upon the praises of Israel ( ) – is only possible through living people ( ; cf. ). The condition of those who have died is hidden from them. They connect the praise of God and the speaking of His lovingkindness with life on earth ( ). That can be before their death and in the resurrection after their death. Of the situation “in the grave” and “in Abaddon”, which refers to the body, they have no understanding. [Note: The Lord Jesus did go to the grave, but His body did not see decay ( ; ).] Therefore Heman wishes that God would deliver him out of his affliction. How then will he tell of His lovingkindness and faithfulness! We know that the faithful who have fallen asleep in Christ are with Christ, are with Him in paradise, where they praise and glorify Him continually ( ; ). For the Old Testament believer, death is associated with “darkness” ( ). No light is present. Only in the light God’s wonders are known. For him, death is being “in the land of forgetfulness”. The land of oblivion is the land where the dead are no longer thought of. Righteousness is not made known there. The New Testament believer lives in the light and in full remembrance of the righteousness of God which he has received through faith in Christ. He will daily praise God for it and make known its wonder in the darkness of the world in which he lives. If he has died and is with the Lord, it will be by virtue of that righteousness. That will be the occasion for praising Him eternally.

‏ Psalms 88:10

Questions

Heman goes on to ask the LORD a number of questions. These are questions that impose themselves on him while he stands on the brink of death. They are questions about the praise of God that is not done by the dead, but by the living (cf. Isa 38:18-19). They are not questions of unbelief, but questions that arise from a limited knowledge of God as a result of extreme affliction and despair, which obscures the view of Him and His actions. There is also faith in them.

His first question echoes the idea that God can “perform wonders for the dead” (Psa 88:10). In his second question, he says it more specifically and asks if those who have died would rise to praise Him. Among Old Testament believers there is the idea that praise, – and the LORD is enthroned upon the praises of Israel (Psa 22:3) – is only possible through living people (Psa 6:5; cf. Psa 30:9 ; Psa 115:17).

The condition of those who have died is hidden from them. They connect the praise of God and the speaking of His lovingkindness with life on earth (Psa 88:11). That can be before their death and in the resurrection after their death. Of the situation “in the grave” and “in Abaddon”, which refers to the body, they have no understanding. [Note: The Lord Jesus did go to the grave, but His body did not see decay (Psa 16:10; Acts 2:24-27).]

Therefore Heman wishes that God would deliver him out of his affliction. How then will he tell of His lovingkindness and faithfulness! We know that the faithful who have fallen asleep in Christ are with Christ, are with Him in paradise, where they praise and glorify Him continually (Lk 23:43; Phil 1:23).

For the Old Testament believer, death is associated with “darkness” (Psa 88:12). No light is present. Only in the light God’s wonders are known. For him, death is being “in the land of forgetfulness”. The land of oblivion is the land where the dead are no longer thought of. Righteousness is not made known there.

The New Testament believer lives in the light and in full remembrance of the righteousness of God which he has received through faith in Christ. He will daily praise God for it and make known its wonder in the darkness of the world in which he lives. If he has died and is with the Lord, it will be by virtue of that righteousness. That will be the occasion for praising Him eternally.