Psalms 88:5
Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
Original Language Analysis
בַּמֵּתִ֗ים
among the dead
H4191
בַּמֵּתִ֗ים
among the dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
1 of 13
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
חֲלָלִ֨ים׀
like the slain
H2491
חֲלָלִ֨ים׀
like the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
4 of 13
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
שֹׁ֥כְבֵי
that lie
H7901
שֹׁ֥כְבֵי
that lie
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
5 of 13
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זְכַרְתָּ֣ם
whom thou rememberest
H2142
זְכַרְתָּ֣ם
whom thou rememberest
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
ע֑וֹד
H5750
ע֑וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
Cross References
Isaiah 53:8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.Psalms 31:22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
Historical Context
This verse reflects the limited Old Testament understanding of afterlife. While later revelation (Daniel 12:2) and Christ's teaching would unveil resurrection hope, the psalmist speaks from the perspective that death ends meaningful relationship with God—making the stakes of earthly suffering even more acute for ancient believers who lacked full clarity on eternal life.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the feeling of being "forgotten by God" differ from the theological reality of His constant presence?
- What does Christ's experience of being "cut off" from the Father reveal about God's commitment to never ultimately forsake His children?
- How should we respond to those who feel they are "free among the dead"—abandoned and purposeless?
Analysis & Commentary
Free among the dead (חָפְשִׁי בַּמֵּתִים, chofshi bametim)—A haunting phrase: "free" typically denotes liberation, yet here it means cut loose, abandoned, cast off like a slave released without provision. The dead are "free" only in that they are forgotten, no longer under God's providential care. Like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more—The verb "remember" (זָכַר, zakar) in Hebrew means active, covenant faithfulness, not mere recollection. To be forgotten by God means to be outside His saving attention.
And they are cut off from thy hand (נִגְזְרוּ מִיָּדֶךָ, nigzeru miyadekha)—The hand of God throughout Scripture signifies power, provision, and protection. To be "cut off" is to experience the ultimate abandonment. Yet remarkably, the New Testament reveals that in Christ's death, He experienced this very cutting off—forsaken by the Father—so that believers would never truly be cut off from God's hand (John 10:28-29).