Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 88:4

(last clause). —Conscious weakness, painfully felt, at certain times, in various duties. Intended to keep us humble, to drive us to our knees, and to bring greater glory to God.

Verses 4-5.

1. The resemblance of the righteous man to the wicked.

(a) In natural death.

(b) In bodily infirmities.

2. His difference from them. He is "counted with them" but is not of them.

(a) He experiences natural death only.

(b) His strength is perfected in weakness.

(c) For him to die is gain. —G.R.

Verses 6-7.

1. What the afflictions of the people of God appear to be to themselves.

(a) Extreme, —"laid me in the lowest pit."

(b) Inexplicable, —"in darkness."

(c) Humiliating, —"in the deeps."

(d) Severe, —"thy wrath lieth hard."

(e) Exhaustive, —"afflicted with all thy waves."

2. What they are in reality.

(a) Not extreme but light.

(b) Not inexplicable, but according to the will of God.

(c) Not humiliating, but elevating. "Humble yourselves under", etc.

(d) Not severe but gentle. Not in anger but in love.

(e) Not exhaustive but partial. Not all thy waves, but a few ripples only. The slight motion in the harbour when there is a boisterous ocean beyond. —G.R.