Bible Strands
Psalms 88:12
Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks directly to God from a state of extreme isolation, questioning whether divine action and character can be perceived beyond the grave.
The words — The Hebrew יִוָּדַע (yi.va.Da') translates literally to "will it be known," standing in parallel with חֹשֶׁךְ (Cho.shekh, "darkness") and נְשִׁיָּה (ne.shi.Yah, "forgetting"). These terms establish the psalmist's literal concern that God's wonders and righteousness will remain unacknowledged in the realm of the dead.
The thread — The concept of divine inaccessibility in death aligns with Ecclesiastes 9:5, which states the dead know nothing, and Job 10:21, which describes Sheol as a land of darkness. This isolation is immediately countered by the psalmist's declaration of morning prayer in Psalm 88:13.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to confront how extreme suffering can obscure the perception of God's works, yet it directs attention to persistent, direct petition as the only valid response.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.
- Matthew 8:12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
- Job 10:21 before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom,
- Psalms 31:12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.
- Psalms 88:5 I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care.
- Psalms 143:3 For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.
- Ecclesiastes 2:16 For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, just as with the fool, seeing that both will be forgotten in the days to come. Alas, the wise man will die just like the fool!
- Ecclesiastes 8:10 Then too, I saw the burial of the wicked who used to go in and out of the holy place, and they were praised in the city where they had done so. This too is futile.
- Isaiah 8:22 Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.
- Jude 1:13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.