Psalms 88:12

12 Will your wonders be known in the dark, or your righteousness in the land of oblivion?

Psalms 88:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 88:12

Shall thy wonders be known in the dark?
&c.] A description of the grave again; see ( Job 10:21 Job 10:22 ) , The sense may be, should he continue in the dark and silent grave, how would the wonders of the grace of God, of electing, redeeming, justifying, pardoning, and adopting grace, be made known; the wonders of Christ's person and offices, and the wondrous things, and doctrines of the Gospel, relating thereunto? as the glory of these would be eclipsed, there would be none to publish them:

and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
the grave, where the dead lie, who, having lost all sense of things, forget what were done in this world, and they themselves are quickly forgotten by the living; and had Christ continued in this state, and had not risen again to our justification, how would his justifying righteousness have been revealed, as it is from faith to faith in the Gospel, which is therefore called the word and ministration of righteousness?

Psalms 88:12 In-Context

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.
14 So why, ADONAI, do you reject me? Why do you hide your face from me?
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.