Psalm 88 is traditionally attributed to Heman the Ezrahite , as indicated in the psalm’s superscription (“A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite”) in many Bible translations.

Who Heman the Ezrahite Is

  • Heman the Ezrahite is presented in the Old Testament as a wise man and musician associated with Israel’s worship, likely active in the time of David and Solomon.
  • Psalm 88’s heading also links it with the “sons of Korah,” a guild of temple singers, suggesting Heman may have been part of or wrote for this group.

Psalm 88’s Unique Tone

  • Psalm 88 is often described as one of the darkest psalms, ending without the typical turn to praise; its final word in Hebrew is “darkness.”
  • Because of this, many interpreters see Heman as giving voice to intense, enduring suffering while still crying out to God in faith.

Authorship Nuances

  • Some scholars note there were multiple biblical figures named Heman, and it is not absolutely certain which historical Heman is behind the psalm, though tradition links it to the wise Levitical musician.
  • Despite these debates, Jewish and Christian tradition consistently credit Psalm 88 to Heman the Ezrahite based on the ancient superscription preserved in the text.

TL;DR: The short answer to “who wrote Psalm 88” is: Heman the Ezrahite , a wise temple musician and worship leader in Israel’s history.

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