A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

PSALMS 88:1KJV
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Psalms 88:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 88:1 mean?

Psalms 88:1 opens with the writer calling out to God, describing God as the source of his salvation and saying he has been crying out to God day and night. The verse sets the tone for a deeply personal and urgent prayer, showing someone who is persistently seeking help from God.

The heading tells us this is a song or psalm written for the sons of Korah, directed to the chief musician, and attributed to Heman the Ezrahite. The situation is one of distress, with the speaker addressing the LORD (the personal name for God, יְהוָה / YHWH) and expressing ongoing desperation. This verse introduces a psalm that is known for its honesty about suffering and the feeling of being unheard, yet still turning to God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 88:1

  • יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated "LORD"): This is the personal, covenant name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a direct and intimate appeal.
  • אֱלֹהֵי (Elohei, "God"): This word highlights God's power and authority, paired here with "of my salvation" (יְשׁוּעָה / yeshuah), showing the psalmist's hope in God's ability to rescue.
  • צָעַקְתִּי (tsa'akti, "I have cried"): This verb carries the sense of a loud, urgent call for help, not just a quiet prayer, underlining the depth of the psalmist's distress.
  • יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה (yomam va-lailah, "day and night"): This phrase stresses the unceasing nature of the psalmist's plea, showing that the suffering and prayer are constant.

Why Psalms 88:1 matters

  • Psalms 88:1 clears up the idea that faith always feels triumphant; this verse shows that even faithful people can experience deep sorrow and still turn to God.
  • The verse emphasizes persistence in prayer, showing that the psalmist does not give up calling out to God, even when answers do not come quickly.
  • By naming the author and musical setting, the verse connects this personal cry to the wider tradition of worship and community lament in ancient Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Mahalath” Hebrew H4257 · used in 2 verses

  • Psalms 53:1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

“Ezrahite” Hebrew H250 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
  • Psalms 89:1 Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

“Maschil” Hebrew H4905 · used in 13 verses

  • Psalms 32:1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
  • Psalms 52:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
  • Psalms 74:1 Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

“Heman” Hebrew H1968 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Kings 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass;
  • 1 Chronicles 25:5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.