In The Valley of Despair

 Temple Baptist Church - 11-9-2025

Psalm 88

 

Introduction:

A.  Psalm 88 is actually written for the benefit of three classes of believers.

 

1.  Those who have not been there.  What the Psalmist writes, you may not have much interest in because you have never been where he is writing about.  Psalm 88 describes a place that I have never been to, nor do I ever want to be there. 

 

2.  There are those who have been there.  What the Psalmist writes may be all too familiar to you and bring back memories that you wish were forgotten.

 

3.  To all of us, because it is about where we may one day be.  However, I am wise enough to know that this awful place may become a reality in my life at some point in the future. 

 

4.  The Psalm is here for a reason!

 

B.  There are many Psalms, such as this, where we see the suffering of God’s people.  These Psalms are neither redundant nor repetitive, as each differs in its person and situation.

 

1.  God’s people suffer in this world.  I believe that we all realize this fact.  Life is not a “Rose Garden.”  “It’s a battlefield, Brother, not a recreation room; It’s a fight and not a game.”

 

2.  Not only do we suffer, but God’s people also suffer in a myriad of ways in this world.  My suffering may not be the same as yours, and vice versa.  We watch as others suffer and are there with them and for them, but their suffering only becomes a whole reality with us when we sit where they sit!

 

3.  God’s people are all individuals who react differently in bad situations.  I try not ever to use the phrase “I know how you feel.”  Though I may have once sat where you now sit, our reactions to the same suffering are different. 

 

4.  The one common denominator is that God is still God in each predicament that we find ourselves in.

 

C.  Psalm 88 is one of the most somber passages in all of Scripture. It contains no immediate light, no quick resolution, and no triumphant ending. Yet, it is inspired of God and placed here for our comfort and instruction.

D.  This Psalm reminds us that faith is not measured by how loudly we shout on the mountain tops, but how steadfastly we trust in the dark valleys.  I am reminded of the song “One More Time.”  A part of the song says, “In the night of deep despair, my faith keeps telling me He’s there, waiting to answer prayer one more time.”

 

E.  How to trust God in valleys of deep despair when God seems silent.

 

1. Continue to Pray (Verses 1–2)  “O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

 

James 4:2  … ye have not, because ye ask not.

 

a.  The Direction of his Prayer. “O LORD God of my salvation”

 

b.  The desperation of his cry: “day and night”

 

c.  The desire of his cry: “Incline thine ear” — he longs not for deliverance first, but for divine attention.  There are times when reassurance trumps relief!

 

2. The Depth of His Distress (Verses 3–7)

 

a.  He is Overwhelmed.  His “soul is full of troubles.”  Helpless, overburdened, unable to help himself.

 

b.  He is Overshadowed.  “free among the dead” Not a ray of light in the midst of his troubles.  Neglected, unnoticed, and uncared for.

 

c.  He is Overpowered by the hand of God.   “Thy wrath lieth hard upon me.”  Billows of waves over his head, and perishing.

 

3.  Deserted by mankind.  (Verses 8-9)  “Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them.”

 

a.  Isolated from mankind.  “put away mine acquaintance.”  No one there with him to help bear his heavy load.

 

b.  Imprisoned in affliction: “I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.”  No escape is possible from his dilemma. 

 

c.  Imploring in prayer: “Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee.”

 

4.  The Dilemma He Faces (Verses 10–12)  “Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee?”

 

a.  He questions the purpose of his suffering: Will there be any testimony left?

 

b.  He wonders about God’s silence: “Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave?”

 

c.  He reasons from faith, not rebellion: He cannot reconcile his suffering with God’s goodness, but he still prays.  Even our questions can be acts of faith when brought reverently before the Lord.

 

5.  The Darkness He Endures (Verses 13–18)  “But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.”

 

a.  Faith persists though feelings fail (Verse 13)

 

b.  God’s silence tests faith (Verses 14–16)

 

c.  Darkness surrounds, but God remains (Verses 17–18)  “Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.”

 

Conclusion:  This Psalm ends without resolution — not because God failed, but because faith must sometimes wait.  Psalm 88 teaches us that faith does not always feel triumphant, but it always endures.

 

1.  Darkness is not evidence of God’s absence.

2.  Faith prays even when it feels nothing.

3.  Suffering is not wasted when it drives us to God.

4.  The cross of Christ is the ultimate proof that God hears the cries of His suffering saints.