4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,
4 I'm written off as a lost cause, one more statistic, a hopeless case.
4 I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength,
4 I am as good as dead, like a strong man with no strength left.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 88:4
Commentary on Psalm 88:1-9
(Read Psalm 88:1-9)
The first words of the psalmist are the only words of comfort and support in this psalm. Thus greatly may good men be afflicted, and such dismal thoughts may they have about their afflictions, and such dark conclusion may they make about their end, through the power of melancholy and the weakness of faith. He complained most of God's displeasure. Even the children of God's love may sometimes think themselves children of wrath and no outward trouble can be so hard upon them as that. Probably the psalmist described his own case, yet he leads to Christ. Thus are we called to look unto Jesus, wounded and bruised for our iniquities. But the wrath of God poured the greatest bitterness into his cup. This weighed him down into darkness and the deep.