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Psalms 88 · Grade 4

When the Answer Has Not Come

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 88 calls it a Song, a Psalm by the sons of Korah, and a contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. Its tune is called The Suffering of Affliction. Most laments end with praise, but this one does not. It ends with the word darkness.

Heman feels near death. My soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol, the place of the dead. He feels God has put him in the lowest pit, and that his friends have turned away. He asks hard questions: Do you show wonders to the dead? Why do you hide your face from me?

Yet the psalm is still a prayer. It begins, Yahweh, the God of my salvation. Heman calls on God daily, spreads out his hands, and says, In the morning, my prayer comes before you. Even with no answer yet, he keeps talking to God.

Show What You Know

  1. How is Psalm 88 different from most laments?

  2. What is Sheol?

  3. What does Heman still call God at the start?

  4. What does Heman say in the morning?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

prayerdarknessmorningGodsalvation
  1. It ends with the word .
  2. He feels has put him in the lowest pit, and that his friends have turned away.
  3. Yet the psalm is still a .
  4. It begins, Yahweh, the God of my .
  5. Heman calls on God daily, spreads out his hands, and says, In the , my prayer comes before you.

Think About It

  1. Many readers see in this psalm that God welcomes honest prayers in the dark. Why might it help to know the Bible has a psalm that ends sadly?

  2. Who could you talk to, along with God, when you feel very sad?

Memory Verse

“But to you, Yahweh, I have cried. In the morning, my prayer comes before you.”

Psalms 88:13 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for hearing me even in the dark. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Heman felt his friends had left him. How can you stay with a friend who is going through a very hard time?
  • How can you keep talking to God when you feel low?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.