Psalm 88:12

12 Shall thy wonders be known in darkness? and thy righteousness in a forgotten land?

Psalm 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?

Psalm 88:12 In-Context

10 Wilt thou work wonders for the dead? or shall physicians raise them up, that they shall praise thee?

11 Shall any one declare thy mercy in the tomb? and thy truth in destruction?

12 Shall thy wonders be known in darkness? and thy righteousness in a forgotten land?

13 But I cried to thee, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.

14 Wherefore, O Lord, dost thou reject my prayer, and turn thy face away from me?