Psalms 88:11

11 Will your grace be declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?

Psalms 88:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 88:11

Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave?
&c.] Where he saw himself now going, and where should he be detained, and not raised out of it, the lovingkindness of God to him, as his Son, and as man and Mediator, and to his people in the gift and mission of him to be their Saviour and Redeemer, how would that be declared and made known? now it is, Christ being raised, and his ministers having a commission from him to preach the Gospel, in which the lovingkindness of God is abundantly manifested:

or thy faithfulness in destruction?
the grave, so called from dead bodies being cast into it, and wasted, consumed, and destroyed in it: the meaning may be, that should he be laid in the grave, and there putrefy and rot, and not be raised again, where would be the faithfulness of God to his purposes, to his covenant and promises, to him his Son, and to his people?

Psalms 88:11 In-Context

9 my eyes grow dim from suffering. I call on you, ADONAI, every day; I spread out my hands to you.
10 Will you perform wonders for the dead? Can the ghosts of the dead rise up and praise you? (Selah)
11 Will your grace be declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12 Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your righteousness in the land of oblivion?
13 But I cry out to you, ADONAI; my prayer comes before you in the morning.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.