The Meaning of Psalms 88:10 Explained

Psalms 88:10

KJV: Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.

YLT: To the dead dost Thou do wonders? Do Rephaim rise? do they thank Thee? Selah.

Darby: Wilt thou do wonders to the dead? shall the shades arise and praise thee? Selah.

ASV: Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall they that are decreased arise and praise thee? Selah

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Wilt thou shew  wonders  to the dead?  shall the dead  arise  [and] praise  thee? Selah. 

What does Psalms 88:10 Mean?

Study Notes

dead
.
there is no work
Ecclesiastes 9:10 is no more a divine revelation concerning the state of the dead than any other conclusion of "the Preacher" Ecclesiastes 1:1 is such a revelation. Reasoning from the standpoint of man "under the sun" the natural man can see no difference between a dead man and a dead lion. Ecclesiastes 9:4 . A living dog is better than either. No one would quote Ecclesiastes 9:2 as a divine revelation. These reasonings of man apart from divine revelation are set down by inspiration just as the words of Satan; Genesis 3:4 ; Job 2:4 ; Job 2:5 are so set down. But that life and consciousness continue between death and resurrection is directly affirmed in Scripture.; Isaiah 14:9-11 ; Matthew 22:32 ; Mark 9:43-48 ; Luke 16:19-31 ; John 11:26 ; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 ; Philippians 1:21-23 ; Revelation 6:9-11 .
grave Heb. "Sheol," (See Scofield " Habakkuk 2:5 ") .

Context Summary

Psalm 88:1-18 - A Cry From The Waves
Most of the psalms which begin in sorrow end in exuberant joy and praise. This is an exception. There seems to be no break in the monotony of grief and despair. In Psalms 88:1-8 it would appear that the psalmist was oppressed by some loathsome disorder which made even his friends shrink from companionship. But it is a hopeful sign when, even in such circumstances, a man can still speak of God as "the God of my salvation."
In Psalms 88:9-18 the psalmist combats his despair by reminding God and himself that his has been a praying soul. Surely the Almighty will not forget his outstretched hands, nor the prayers that have anticipated the morning! It is a true argument. That you can pray at all is a sure sign that the divine Spirit is within your heart. From unknown depths He is helping your infirmity, and this proves that God has not forgotten or forsaken you. If just now life's bark is overwhelmed with difficulty, God rules the waves. The storm-wind will presently subside at His rebuke. Lover and friend will again stand round about you, and your soul will come back into light. God's days are not like man's-from morning to evening, but from dark to dawn. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 88

1  A prayer containing a grievous complaint

What do the individual words in Psalms 88:10 mean?

Shall for the dead will You work wonders lo the dead arise [and] praise You Selah
؟ הֲלַמֵּתִ֥ים תַּעֲשֶׂה־ פֶּ֑לֶא אִם־ רְ֝פָאִ֗ים יָק֤וּמוּ ׀ יוֹד֬וּךָ סֶּֽלָה

؟ הֲלַמֵּתִ֥ים  Shall  for  the  dead 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.
תַּעֲשֶׂה־  will  You  work 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
פֶּ֑לֶא  wonders 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: פֶּלֶא  
Sense: wonder, marvel.
אִם־  lo 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
רְ֝פָאִ֗ים  the  dead 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: רְפָאִים  
Sense: ghosts of the dead, shades, spirits.
יָק֤וּמוּ ׀  arise 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
יוֹד֬וּךָ  [and]  praise  You 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, second person masculine singular
Root: יָדָה 
Sense: to throw, shoot, cast.
סֶּֽלָה  Selah 
Parse: Interjection
Root: סֶלָה  
Sense: to lift up, exalt.