Psalms 88:18

Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הִרְחַ֣קְתָּ

H7368

hast thou put far

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מִ֭מֶּנִּי

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אֹהֵ֣ב

H157

Lover

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

וָרֵ֑עַ

H7453

and friend

an associate (more or less close)

מְֽיֻדָּעַ֥י

H3045

from me and mine acquaintance

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מַחְשָֽׁךְ׃

H4285

into darkness

darkness; concretely, a dark place

Analysis

This verse develops the divine love theme central to Psalms. The concept of love reflects the development of divine love within biblical theology. The emotional and relational language employed here is characteristic of worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God, emphasizing the personal nature of divine-human relationship. The original language emphasizes agape in Greek contexts or hesed in Hebrew, indicating covenantal loyalty, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of Psalms Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on love address the problem of evil and suffering in light of God's goodness, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding love in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about divine love?
How does the divine love theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?