Psalms 88:18 - You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Psalms 88:18" mean?
Psalm 88 is a lament, a powerful expression of deep despair and isolation. Verse 18, "You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness," encapsulates the psalmist's feeling of utter abandonment and hopelessness. Let's break down what it means:
"You have put lover and friend far from me...": This phrase expresses a sense of profound loneliness. The psalmist feels completely isolated from those who should offer comfort and support:
"Lover": While the exact meaning is debated, it likely refers to a close companion, someone who provides affection, intimacy, and understanding. It could be interpreted as a spouse, a close family member, or a very dear friend. Their absence deepens the psalmist's distress.
"Friend": This refers to companions and close associates, people who should be there to offer encouragement and shared experience. The fact that they are "far from me" underscores the psalmist's alienation and lack of social support.
The active voice, "You have put...", attributes this separation directly to God. This is a common theme in the psalms of lament, where the psalmist expresses feeling forsaken by God himself. The psalmist believes that it is God who has actively removed these people from his life, compounding the pain.
"...and my friends into darkness.": This phrase is more metaphorical and suggests a deeper problem than just physical absence.
"Darkness": Symbolically, darkness often represents:
Ignorance/Lack of Understanding: Perhaps the friends don't understand the depth of the psalmist's suffering.
Despair/Hopelessness: Maybe the psalmist's suffering is so overwhelming that it has affected his friends, drawing them into a state of despair or causing them to withdraw in the face of his distress.
Withdrawal/Inaction: They are in the "dark" regarding how to help, or they are choosing to remain distant and inactive in his time of need.
Death: In its most extreme interpretation, it could even suggest that some of the psalmist's friends have died, adding grief to his other burdens.
Therefore, this phrase implies that not only are the psalmist's friends physically distant, but they are also emotionally or spiritually unavailable. Perhaps they are unable or unwilling to offer support, or they are overwhelmed by the psalmist's situation. They might be suffering their own difficulties, rendering them unable to assist.
In Summary:
Verse 18 emphasizes the psalmist's complete and utter isolation. The removal of loved ones and the emotional unavailability of friends, both seen as being orchestrated (or at least permitted) by God, intensifies the feeling of being forsaken and alone in the midst of suffering. It's a desperate cry of a person feeling completely abandoned by God and humanity alike. This verse highlights the psychological and social dimensions of suffering, not just the physical. The verse emphasizes both physical and emotional/spiritual separation, revealing the profound depth of the psalmist's despair.
Psalms 88:18 - You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness.
What does "Psalms 88:18" mean?
Psalm 88 is a lament, a powerful expression of deep despair and isolation. Verse 18, "You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness," encapsulates the psalmist's feeling of utter abandonment and hopelessness. Let's break down what it means:
"You have put lover and friend far from me...": This phrase expresses a sense of profound loneliness. The psalmist feels completely isolated from those who should offer comfort and support:
"Lover": While the exact meaning is debated, it likely refers to a close companion, someone who provides affection, intimacy, and understanding. It could be interpreted as a spouse, a close family member, or a very dear friend. Their absence deepens the psalmist's distress.
"Friend": This refers to companions and close associates, people who should be there to offer encouragement and shared experience. The fact that they are "far from me" underscores the psalmist's alienation and lack of social support.
The active voice, "You have put...", attributes this separation directly to God. This is a common theme in the psalms of lament, where the psalmist expresses feeling forsaken by God himself. The psalmist believes that it is God who has actively removed these people from his life, compounding the pain.
"...and my friends into darkness.": This phrase is more metaphorical and suggests a deeper problem than just physical absence.
"Darkness": Symbolically, darkness often represents:
Ignorance/Lack of Understanding: Perhaps the friends don't understand the depth of the psalmist's suffering.
Despair/Hopelessness: Maybe the psalmist's suffering is so overwhelming that it has affected his friends, drawing them into a state of despair or causing them to withdraw in the face of his distress.
Withdrawal/Inaction: They are in the "dark" regarding how to help, or they are choosing to remain distant and inactive in his time of need.
Death: In its most extreme interpretation, it could even suggest that some of the psalmist's friends have died, adding grief to his other burdens.
Therefore, this phrase implies that not only are the psalmist's friends physically distant, but they are also emotionally or spiritually unavailable. Perhaps they are unable or unwilling to offer support, or they are overwhelmed by the psalmist's situation. They might be suffering their own difficulties, rendering them unable to assist.
In Summary:
Verse 18 emphasizes the psalmist's complete and utter isolation. The removal of loved ones and the emotional unavailability of friends, both seen as being orchestrated (or at least permitted) by God, intensifies the feeling of being forsaken and alone in the midst of suffering. It's a desperate cry of a person feeling completely abandoned by God and humanity alike. This verse highlights the psychological and social dimensions of suffering, not just the physical. The verse emphasizes both physical and emotional/spiritual separation, revealing the profound depth of the psalmist's despair.