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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 88:18 You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/88-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/19_Psa_088_018.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 88:18 - Day and Night I Cry Out Before You" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/88-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/88-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/88.htm">Chapter 88</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/88-17.htm" title="Psalm 88:17">◄</a> Psalm 88:18 <a href="/psalms/89-1.htm" title="Psalm 89:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/88.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/88.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/88.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/88.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/88.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/88.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, <i>and</i> mine acquaintance into darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/88.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Loved one and friend You have put far from me, <i>And</i> my acquaintances into darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/88.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are <i>in</i> a hiding place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/88.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are in darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/88.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Thou hast removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are <i>in</i> darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/88.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You have removed lover and friend far from me; My acquaintances are <i>in</i> darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/88.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Lover and friend You have placed far from me; My familiar friends are in darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/88.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have distanced loved one and neighbor from me; darkness is my only friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/88.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have distanced loved one and neighbor from me; darkness is my only friend. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/88.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, And mine acquaintance into darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/88.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My friends and neighbors have turned against me because of you, and now darkness is my only companion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/88.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/88.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You have taken my loved ones and friends far away from me. Darkness is my only friend!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/88.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You have made even my closest friends abandon me, and darkness is my only companion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/88.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You caused my friend and neighbor to shun me; and my acquaintances are confused. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/88.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/88.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You cause my friends and neighbors to keep their distance; those who know me leave me alone in the darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/88.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/88.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and my acquaintance into darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/88.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/88.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You have put lover and friend far from me, "" My acquaintance [is] the place of darkness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/88.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thou hast put far from me lover and friend, Mine acquaintance is the place of darkness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/88.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou didst remove far from me lover and friend, mine acquaintance into darkness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/88.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Friend and neighbour thou hast put far from me: and my acquaintance, because of misery. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/88.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 87:19>Friend and neighbor, and my acquaintances, you have sent far away from me, away from misery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/88.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Because of you friend and neighbor shun me; my only friend is darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/88.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You have caused friend and neighbor to shun me; my companions are in darkness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/88.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Friends and neighbors thou hast put far from me, and mine acquaintances thou hast kept away from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/88.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You have removed my friends and my neighbors from me and you have caused my acquaintances to depart from me. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/88.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Friend and companion hast Thou put far from me, And mine acquaintance into darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/88.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou hast put far from me <i>every</i> friend, and mine acquaintances because of <i>my</i> wretchedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/88-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=11023" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/88.htm">Day and Night I Cry Out Before You</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7368.htm" title="7368: hir·ḥaq·tā (V-Hifil-Perf-2ms) -- To be or become far or distant. A primitive root; to widen, i.e. recede or remove.">You have removed</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">my</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: ’ō·hêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">beloved</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: wā·rê·a‘ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">and my friend;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4285.htm" title="4285: maḥ·šāḵ (N-ms) -- Dark place. From chashak; darkness; concretely, a dark place.">darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: mə·yud·dā·‘ay (V-Pual-Prtcpl-mpc:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">is my closest companion.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/19-13.htm">Job 19:13-19</a></span><br />He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me. / My kinsmen have failed me, and my friends have forgotten me. / My guests and maidservants count me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/1-2.htm">Lamentations 1:2</a></span><br />She weeps aloud in the night, with tears upon her cheeks. Among all her lovers there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/1-16.htm">Lamentations 1:16</a></span><br />For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to revive my soul. My children are destitute because the enemy has prevailed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-2.htm">Jeremiah 9:2</a></span><br />If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-5.htm">Micah 7:5-6</a></span><br />Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. / For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/6-15.htm">Job 6:15-23</a></span><br />But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow, / darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow, / but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/31-11.htm">Psalm 31:11</a></span><br />Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends—they flee when they see me on the street.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/38-11.htm">Psalm 38:11</a></span><br />My beloved and friends shun my disease, and my kinsmen stand at a distance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-8.htm">Psalm 69:8</a></span><br />I have become a stranger to my brothers and a foreigner to my mother’s sons,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/142-4.htm">Psalm 142:4</a></span><br />Look to my right and see; no one attends to me. There is no refuge for me; no one cares for my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a></span><br />He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-56.htm">Matthew 26:56</a></span><br />But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-50.htm">Mark 14:50</a></span><br />Then everyone deserted Him and fled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-10.htm">John 1:10-11</a></span><br />He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. / He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-5.htm">John 7:5</a></span><br />For even His own brothers did not believe in Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Lover and friend have you put far from me, and my acquaintance into darkness.</p><p class="hdg">lover</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Psalm 88:8</a></b></br> Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: <i>I am</i> shut up, and I cannot come forth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/31-11.htm">Psalm 31:11</a></b></br> I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-11.htm">Psalm 38:11</a></b></br> My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.</p><p class="hdg">mine acquaintance.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Acquaintance</a> <a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Acquaintances</a> <a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/esther/1-14.htm">Closest</a> <a href="/psalms/55-20.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Companions</a> <a href="/psalms/88-12.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/15-19.htm">Ethan</a> <a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Ezrahite</a> <a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Far</a> <a href="/psalms/55-13.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/psalms/45-7.htm">Lover</a> <a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Maschil</a> <a href="/psalms/88-12.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/88-5.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/psalms/88-8.htm">Shun</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/2-44.htm">Acquaintance</a> <a href="/luke/2-44.htm">Acquaintances</a> <a href="/psalms/89-42.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Closest</a> <a href="/psalms/119-63.htm">Companion</a> <a href="/psalms/122-8.htm">Companions</a> <a href="/psalms/91-6.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/89-1.htm">Ethan</a> <a href="/psalms/89-1.htm">Ezrahite</a> <a href="/psalms/97-9.htm">Far</a> <a href="/psalms/101-4.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/psalms/109-10.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/psalms/119-163.htm">Lover</a> <a href="/psalms/89-1.htm">Maschil</a> <a href="/psalms/97-12.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/89-5.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/psalms/89-52.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/89-44.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-7.htm">Shun</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 88</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">A prayer containing a grievous complaint.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/88.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/88.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You have removed my beloved and my friend;</b><br>This phrase reflects a deep sense of isolation and abandonment. In the context of ancient Israel, relationships with family and friends were central to one's identity and support system. The psalmist's lament here echoes Job's experience, where he felt forsaken by friends and family (<a href="/job/19-13.htm">Job 19:13-19</a>). The removal of beloved ones can also symbolize a spiritual separation from God, as seen in the broader context of the psalm, which is a cry for help amidst suffering. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who was abandoned by His disciples and felt forsaken on the cross (<a href="/matthew/26-56.htm">Matthew 26:56</a>, <a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a>).<p><b>darkness is my closest companion.</b><br>Darkness in biblical literature often symbolizes chaos, evil, or judgment. Here, it represents the psalmist's overwhelming despair and sense of being enveloped by hopelessness. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages where darkness signifies a lack of God's presence or favor (<a href="/isaiah/8-22.htm">Isaiah 8:22</a>, <a href="/lamentations/3-2.htm">Lamentations 3:2</a>). Theologically, this can be connected to the darkness that covered the land during Christ's crucifixion (<a href="/matthew/27-45.htm">Matthew 27:45</a>), symbolizing the weight of sin and separation from God. The psalmist's experience foreshadows the ultimate darkness Christ endured, highlighting the depth of human suffering and the need for divine intervention.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist (Heman the Ezrahite)</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/88.htm">Psalm 88</a>, traditionally identified as Heman the Ezrahite, a wise man and a musician in the time of King David. He is known for his deep lament and expression of despair in this psalm.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The psalmist addresses God directly, expressing feelings of abandonment and isolation, attributing his circumstances to God's actions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/beloved_and_friend.htm">Beloved and Friend</a></b><br>These terms refer to the psalmist's close relationships, which he feels have been severed, leaving him in isolation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness.htm">Darkness</a></b><br>Symbolic of the psalmist's emotional and spiritual state, representing despair, loneliness, and the absence of hope.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_place_of_darkness.htm">The Place of Darkness (Sheol)</a></b><br>While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm includes references to Sheol, the realm of the dead, highlighting the depth of the psalmist's despair.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_suffering.htm">The Reality of Suffering</a></b><br>Suffering is a real and profound part of the human experience, and the Bible does not shy away from expressing it honestly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_lament.htm">The Importance of Lament</a></b><br>Lament is a valid and necessary form of prayer, allowing believers to bring their deepest pains and questions before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_darkness.htm">God's Presence in Darkness</a></b><br>Even when God feels distant, He is present in our darkest moments, and our cries do not go unheard.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_isolation.htm">Community and Isolation</a></b><br>The loss of community and friendship can deepen our sense of isolation, reminding us of the importance of supporting one another in times of trial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_despair.htm">Hope Beyond Despair</a></b><br>While the psalm ends in darkness, the broader biblical account assures us of hope and redemption through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_88.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 88</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_be_possessed.htm">Can a Christian be demonically possessed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_psalm_88_devoid_of_hope.htm">Why does Psalm 88 present unrelenting despair without any expression of hope, seeming to contradict other passages that emphasize God’s deliverance (Psalm 88:1–3)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_trust.htm">What does the Bible say about trusting others?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_psalm_88_clash_with_divine_mercy.htm">Why does the repeated emphasis on God's wrath in Psalm 88:7 and 88:16 clash with portrayals of divine mercy elsewhere in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/88.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">And mine acquaintance into darkness.</span>--This is an erroneous rendering. Rather, <span class= "ital">My acquaintance is darkness, </span>or, <span class= "ital">darkness is my friend, </span>having taken the place of those removed. The feeling resembles <a href="/job/17-14.htm" title="I have said to corruption, You are my father: to the worm, You are my mother, and my sister.">Job 17:14</a>; or we may illustrate by Tennyson's lines:--<p>"O sorrow, wilt thou live with me,<p>No casual mistress, but a wife,<p>My bosom friend, and half my life?<p>As I confess it needs must be."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/88.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Lover and friend hast thou put far from me</span> (comp. ver. 8 and <a href="/job/19-13.htm">Job 19:13</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And mine acquaintance into darkness</span>; literally, <span class="accented">and my intimates</span> [<span class="accented">are</span>] <span class="accented">darkness</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "when I look for a friend or an acquaintance, my eye meets nothing but darkness," or "dark space." <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/88-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You have removed</span><br /><span class="heb">הִרְחַ֣קְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(hir·ḥaq·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7368.htm">Strong's 7368: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become far or distant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֭מֶּנִּי</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">beloved</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹהֵ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·hêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and my friend;</span><br /><span class="heb">וָרֵ֑עַ</span> <span class="translit">(wā·rê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחְשָֽׁךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(maḥ·šāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4285.htm">Strong's 4285: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness, a dark place</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is my closest companion.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְֽיֻדָּעַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mə·yud·dā·‘ay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/88-18.htm">Psalm 88:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/88-18.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 88:18 You have put lover and friend far (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/88-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 88:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 88:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/89-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 89:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 89:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>