Psalm 88:1 — O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:
Over the last two days I wrote a piece about the uphill nature of the Christian life. But what about when you’re at the bottom, and there’s no way up? Make no mistake, there are God fearing Christians who have that experience. For some, circumstances just pile up, unremittingly, with no relief. I don’t know why it is, I just know that it is so — and so did Heman then Ezrahite, as this Psalm testifies.
The superscription (that’s a fancy name for the introduction at the top) says “A Song or Psalm ?for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, ?Maschil of ?Heman the ?Ezrahite.” Some clever commentators have suggested this is mixed up — that the part about the “sons of Korah” belongs to Psalm 87, and the part about “Ezrahite” belongs to Psalm 89. Well, maybe, but I prefer to take it as it reads. We can learn some lessons from it.

The Psalm was written because Heman, or someone important, is in real trouble.The psalm is a song — worshipful music is appropriate not just for the joyful times of life, but for any time. God is to be called on from the depths, and not just from the heights.

The psalm was written to be sung by the sons of Korah — an important group in the temple worship. The choir doesn’t get to choose … It sings as directed, and sings for the glory of God, not for its own satisfaction.

Now, as to the content of the psalm.

It seems there is no guilt underlying the Psalm — it is addressed to God without reservation and the psalmist is not bashful about reminding the Lord of his persistence in prayer. Despite his faithfulness Heman (let’s say Heman, though he may have been writing for someone else) was suffering from many afflictions …his soul was full of troubles and he was near to death.

He was counted with them that go down into the pit — almost like one of the lepers driven out of town. His friends were neglecting him. Distress was on him day and night … 

The psalm is mysterious. There is no explanation of the affliction. There is no explanation of why there is no relief. In the end there is no resolution. What are we to conclude from all this?

To me the very fact of the Psalm, given the circumstances, is resolution. In the very direst of circumstances, with no reasonable reason, despite long and repeated pleas, Heman turns to God again. That is faith. Psalm 88 is a beautiful testimony. When you are at the bottom, and there’s no way out, not even an uphill road … keep looking up.