Psalms 88:12

12 Are your miracles seen in that place of darkness or your goodness in the land of the forgotten?

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 Do you perform miracles for the dead? Do they rise up and praise you?
11 Is your constant love spoken of in the grave or your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
12 Are your miracles seen in that place of darkness or your goodness in the land of the forgotten?
13 Lord, I call to you for help; every morning I pray to you.
14 Why do you reject me, Lord? Why do you turn away from me?
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.