Psalms 88:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God has removed lover, friend, and acquaintance, leaving the psalmist in complete social darkness.
The Context of Psalms 88:18
Final isolation: all relationships removed, leaving the psalmist alone in darkness.
What Does Psalms 88:18 Mean?
The closest human bonds—lover (intimate relationship) and friend (deep companionship)—have been removed far away. Even mere acquaintances are gone 'into darkness,' a phrase suggesting both death and utter concealment. The pattern of isolation reaches its peak: no intimate connection, no friendship, no casual association remains.
This final verse of the lament returns to the social dimension of suffering that has grown throughout the psalm. Every tier of human relationship has been severed, whether by God's action, death, or the natural recoil of the healthy from the afflicted. The psalmist ends in complete isolation, the cry of the previous verses unheard and without comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 88:18
What does Psalms 88:18 mean?
God has removed lover, friend, and acquaintance, leaving the psalmist in complete social darkness.
What is the context of Psalms 88:18?
Final isolation: all relationships removed, leaving the psalmist alone in darkness.