Psalms 88:8

Authorized King James Version

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Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.

Original Language Analysis

הִרְחַ֥קְתָּ Thou hast put away H7368
הִרְחַ֥קְתָּ Thou hast put away
Strong's: H7368
Word #: 1 of 9
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
מְיֻדָּעַ֗י mine acquaintance H3045
מְיֻדָּעַ֗י mine acquaintance
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 2 of 9
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
מִ֫מֶּ֥נִּי H4480
מִ֫מֶּ֥נִּי
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
שַׁתַּ֣נִי from me thou hast made H7896
שַׁתַּ֣נִי from me thou hast made
Strong's: H7896
Word #: 4 of 9
to place (in a very wide application)
תוֹעֵב֣וֹת me an abomination H8441
תוֹעֵב֣וֹת me an abomination
Strong's: H8441
Word #: 5 of 9
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
לָ֑מוֹ H0
לָ֑מוֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 9
כָּ֝לֻ֗א unto them I am shut up H3607
כָּ֝לֻ֗א unto them I am shut up
Strong's: H3607
Word #: 7 of 9
to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 8 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֵצֵֽא׃ and I cannot come forth H3318
אֵצֵֽא׃ and I cannot come forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 9 of 9
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

Analysis & Commentary

Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me—God is the active agent of social isolation. The Hebrew "put away" (הִרְחַקְתָּ, hirchakta) means to cause to be far, to distance. This isn't paranoia but theological interpretation: the psalmist traces even human rejection back to divine providence. Thou hast made me an abomination unto them (שִׂמְתַּנִי תוֹעֵבוֹת לָמוֹ, simtani toevot lamo)—"Abomination" (toevah) is the same word used for detestable idolatry; the sufferer has become repulsive, ceremonially unclean, avoided by others.

I am shut up, and I cannot come forth (כָּלֻא וְלֹא אֵצֵא, kalu velo etzeh)—Imprisoned, perhaps by illness, depression, or social ostracism, with no means of escape. This total entrapment echoes Job's complaint (Job 19:8) and anticipates Christ's burial—"shut up" in a sealed tomb with a guard posted. Yet Christ's resurrection breaks open every prison, every sealed tomb.

Historical Context

In ancient Israel, serious illness often led to quarantine from the community (Leviticus 13-14). Physical affliction meant social and religious exclusion—unable to enter the temple, separated from family and friends. This separation from the worshiping community was experienced as separation from God's presence, since His presence was located at the sanctuary.

Questions for Reflection