Psalms 88:17

17 They 1surround me like a flood 2all day long; they 3close in on me together.

Psalms 88:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 88:17

They came round about me daily like water
That is, the terrors of the Lord, the sorrows of death and hell, ( Psalms 18:4 Psalms 18:5 ) , this was the Messiah's case, when it was with him as is expressed ( Psalms 69:1 Psalms 69:2 ) ,

they compassed me about together;
as waters coming from many places, from all quarters, meet together, and together surround a person or place in such circumstances was Christ, when the bulls of Bashan beset him around, and the assembly of the wicked enclosed him, and innumerable evils encompassed him about, ( Psalms 22:12 Psalms 22:16 ) ( 40:12 ) .

Psalms 88:17 In-Context

15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
16 Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.
17 They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.
18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.

Cross References 3

  • 1. See Psalms 118:10-12
  • 2. Psalms 86:3
  • 3. Psalms 18:4; Psalms 22:16; [Psalms 118:10]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.