Psalms 88:17 Meaning and Explanation
“They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Afflictions surround the psalmist daily like water, closing in from all sides.
The Context of Psalms 88:17
Daily, all-encompassing afflictions that close in from all sides like water.
What Does Psalms 88:17 Mean?
The troubles come 'daily' and 'like water'—fluid, all-surrounding, impossible to resist or escape. Water in such volume will drown or sweep away whatever is in its path. The image is of being completely surrounded by advancing pressure. The repetition ('came round about' and 'compassed me about') emphasizes the totality and the unified approach of these afflictions.
The use of 'they' (plural) suggests multiple troubles or multiple agents of trouble working together, with no gap or escape route. The psalmist is hemmed in completely by converging forces, with no refuge or alternate path.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 88:17
What does Psalms 88:17 mean?
Afflictions surround the psalmist daily like water, closing in from all sides.
What is the context of Psalms 88:17?
Daily, all-encompassing afflictions that close in from all sides like water.