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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 88:17 All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/88-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/19_Psa_088_017.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 88:17 - Day and Night I Cry Out Before You" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side." /><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/88-17.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/88-17.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 17</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="/ad17.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/88-16.htm" title="Psalm 88:16">◄</a> Psalm 88:17 <a href="/psalms/88-18.htm" title="Psalm 88:18">►</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 />All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/88.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They swirl around me like floodwaters all day long. They have engulfed me completely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/88.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/88.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/88.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/88.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They came around me all day long like water; They engulfed me altogether.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/88.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encircled me altogether.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/88.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/88.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/88.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They have surrounded me like water all day long; They have encompassed me altogether.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/88.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They have surrounded me like flood waters all day long; They have completely encompassed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/88.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They surround me like water all day long; they close in on me from every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/88.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They surround me like water all day long; they close in on me from every side. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/88.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They came round about me like water all the day long; They compassed me about together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/88.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />that strike each day and from every side. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/88.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They came round about me like water all the day long; they compassed me about together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/88.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They swirl around me all day long like water. They surround me on all sides.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/88.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />All day long they surround me like a flood; they close in on me from every side. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/88.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Like waters, they engulf me all day long; they surround me on all sides.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/88.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/88.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They surround me like water all day long; they join forces and encircle me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/88.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They came around me like water all day long. They completely engulfed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/88.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They came around me daily like water; they encompassed me together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/88.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They came around me like water all day long. They completely engulfed me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/88.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They have surrounded me as waters all the day, "" They have gone around against me together,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/88.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They have surrounded me as waters all the day, They have gone round against me together,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/88.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They surrounded me as water all the day; they folded round about me together.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/88.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They have come round about me like water all the day: they have compassed me about together. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/88.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 87:18>They have surrounded me like water, all day long. They have surrounded me, all at once.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/88.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />All day they surge round like a flood; from every side they encircle me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/88.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They surround me like a flood all day long; from all sides they close in on me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/88.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They came round about me daily like water; they set themselves in array against me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/88.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They have surrounded me all day like waters and they have stood up against me together!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/88.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They came round about me like water all the day; They compassed me about together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/88.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They compassed me like water; all the day they beset me together.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/88-17.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=11017" 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">16</span>Your wrath has swept over me; Your terrors have destroyed me. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">All</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day long</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: sab·bū·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3cp:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">they engulf me</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ḵam·ma·yim (Prep-k, Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">like water;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5362.htm" title="5362: hiq·qî·p̄ū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to strike with more or less violence; by implication to knock together, i.e. Surround or circulate.">they enclose me</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/3162.htm" title="3162: yā·ḥaḏ (Adv) -- Unitedness. From yachad; properly, a unit, i.e. unitedly.">every side.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion.…<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/30-15.htm">Job 30:15</a></span><br />Terrors are turned loose against me; they drive away my dignity as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed like a cloud.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-54.htm">Lamentations 3:54</a></span><br />The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/2-3.htm">Jonah 2:3</a></span><br />For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me; all Your breakers and waves swept over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-7.htm">Psalm 42:7</a></span><br />Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-1.htm">Psalm 69:1-2</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David. Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck. / I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-28.htm">Isaiah 30:28</a></span><br />His breath is like a rushing torrent that rises to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of destruction; He bridles the jaws of the peoples to lead them astray.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/26-19.htm">Ezekiel 26:19</a></span><br />For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When I make you a desolate city like other deserted cities, and when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-20.htm">Jeremiah 4:20</a></span><br />Disaster after disaster is proclaimed, for the whole land is laid waste. My tents are destroyed in an instant, my curtains in a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4</a></span><br />The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/32-6.htm">Psalm 32:6</a></span><br />Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25</a></span><br />There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-24.htm">Matthew 8:24</a></span><br />Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-37.htm">Mark 4:37</a></span><br />Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">2 Corinthians 4:8-9</a></span><br />We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-35.htm">Romans 8:35</a></span><br />Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.</p><p class="hdg">they</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16</a></b></br> For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/42-7.htm">Psalm 42:7</a></b></br> Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/69-1.htm">Psalm 69:1,2</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, <i>A Psalm</i> of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto <i>my</i> soul… </p><p class="hdg">daily.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/74-8.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/psalms/19-6.htm">Circle</a> <a href="/psalms/88-15.htm">Close</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/78-59.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/psalms/88-9.htm">Daily</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/78-53.htm">Engulfed</a> <a href="/psalms/74-15.htm">Flood</a> <a href="/psalms/79-4.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/49-5.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/psalms/85-10.htm">Together</a> <a href="/psalms/79-3.htm">Water</a> <a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/139-4.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Circle</a> <a href="/psalms/148-14.htm">Close</a> <a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Compassed</a> <a href="/psalms/89-33.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/psalms/109-19.htm">Daily</a> <a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Encompassed</a> <a href="/psalms/106-17.htm">Engulfed</a> <a href="/psalms/90-5.htm">Flood</a> <a href="/psalms/89-7.htm">Round</a> <a href="/psalms/97-2.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Surrounded</a> <a href="/psalms/94-21.htm">Together</a> <a href="/psalms/104-10.htm">Water</a> <a href="/psalms/93-4.htm">Waters</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>All day long they engulf me like water;</b><br>This phrase captures the relentless nature of the psalmist's suffering, likening it to a flood. In biblical literature, water often symbolizes chaos and overwhelming circumstances (<a href="/genesis/7-11.htm">Genesis 7:11</a>, <a href="/psalms/69.htm">Psalm 69:1-2</a>). The imagery of water engulfing someone is used to convey a sense of being overwhelmed by troubles, similar to the floodwaters that covered the earth in Noah's time. This can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual or emotional turmoil, reflecting the psalmist's deep distress. The continuous nature of the suffering ("all day long") suggests a persistent and unending trial, reminiscent of the trials faced by Job (<a href="/job/30-14.htm">Job 30:14-15</a>).<p><b>they enclose me on every side.</b><br>The sense of being surrounded on all sides indicates a feeling of entrapment and isolation. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages where enemies or troubles are described as encircling the faithful (<a href="/psalms/22-12.htm">Psalm 22:12-13</a>, <a href="/psalms/118-10.htm">Psalm 118:10-12</a>). The psalmist's experience can be seen as a type of Christ, who was surrounded by adversaries and felt forsaken (<a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a>). The phrase also reflects the cultural understanding of divine protection being absent, as God's presence was often associated with deliverance from encircling threats (<a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Psalm 34:7</a>). The psalmist's lament highlights the absence of this protection, deepening the sense of despair.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/heman_the_ezrahite.htm">Heman the Ezrahite</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/88.htm">Psalm 88</a>, Heman was a wise man and a musician in the time of King David. He is known for his role in the temple worship and his contributions to the Psalms.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_korah.htm">The Sons of Korah</a></b><br>This group is associated with the composition and performance of several psalms. They were Levites who played a significant role in temple worship.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple_in_jerusalem.htm">The Temple in Jerusalem</a></b><br>The central place of worship for the Israelites, where psalms like this one would have been sung or recited.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_suffering.htm">The Reality of Suffering</a></b><br>Psalm 88 is a reminder that suffering is a real and persistent part of the human experience. It acknowledges the depth of despair that believers can feel, even when they are faithful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_language_of_lament.htm">The Language of Lament</a></b><br>This psalm teaches us the importance of bringing our deepest pains and struggles before God. Lament is a valid and necessary form of prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_presence_in_darkness.htm">God's Presence in Darkness</a></b><br>Even when we feel engulfed by troubles, we can trust that God is present. The psalm encourages us to seek Him persistently, even when we do not feel His presence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_support.htm">Community Support</a></b><br>The psalmist's cry for help highlights the need for community support. As believers, we should be attentive to those around us who are suffering and offer them support and prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_despair.htm">Hope Beyond Despair</a></b><br>While <a href="/bsb/psalms/88.htm">Psalm 88</a> ends in darkness, it is part of a larger biblical account that points to hope and redemption through Christ. We are reminded that our ultimate hope is in Him.<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/is_psalm_114_8_consistent_with_moses'_rock.htm">Does the miraculous water from rock in Psalm 114:8 align with other biblical accounts of Moses striking a rock, or are there inconsistencies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_the_evidence_for_psalm_95_8-9.htm">Where is the archaeological or historical evidence supporting the events referenced in Psalm 95:8-9 regarding Israel's wilderness testing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_water_from_a_rock.htm">Psalm 105:41 depicts water miraculously gushing from a rock. Is there any geological or historical proof for such an event?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_patmos_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah 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>(17) <span class= "bld">They</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>the terrors or horrors, now likened to a flood, a figure of frequent occurrence. (See <a href="/psalms/18-16.htm" title="He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.">Psalm 18:16</a>, &c.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/88.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They came round about me daily like water.</span> God's terrors encompass the psalmist "daily," or "all day long," like water; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> like an overwhelming flood (compare the first clause of ver. 16). <span class="cmt_word">They compassed me about together;</span> or, "they compass me about <span class="accented">in a mass</span>." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/88-17.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">All</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">day long</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיּ֑וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they engulf me</span><br /><span class="heb">סַבּ֣וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(sab·bū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like water;</span><br /><span class="heb">כַ֭מַּיִם</span> <span class="translit">(ḵam·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they enclose me</span><br /><span class="heb">הִקִּ֖יפוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hiq·qî·p̄ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5362.htm">Strong's 5362: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike, to knock together, surround, circulate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">every side.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָֽחַד׃</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḥaḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> </span><span class="str2">A unit, unitedly</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/88-17.htm">Psalm 88:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/88-17.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 88:17 They came around me like water all (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/88-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 88:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 88:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/88-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 88:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 88:18" /></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>