Psalm 88: Lockerbie Bomber Released

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi arrived in Tripoli after being released by Scottish Officials earlier in the day.

Psalm 88

Theoretical Time:

  • 13000-08-02 DH 16:1:23 AA
  • 2009-08-21 09:06:17 TMMT
  • 2009-08-21 06:45:23 GMT
  • 2009-08-21 02:45:23 EDT

26 Psalms 88


1Yahvah, god of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you;
2let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my supplication.


3For my soul is full of troubles and my life draws near to the grave.
4I am counted with those who go down into the pit; I am like a man who has no strength;
5like a nobleman abandoned among the dead, like the slain that lie down in the grave, whom you do not remember any longer; they are lost to you.
6You have laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the shadow of death.
7Your wrath rests hard on me, and you have afflicted me with all your waves.


8You have put away my acquaintances far from me; you have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up and I cannot come out.
9My eyes are weakened from weeping; Yahvah, I have called daily on you; I have stretched out my hands to you.
10Look, you will show wonders to the dead; the mighty ones will rise and praise you.
11Those who are in the graves will declare your lovingkindness, and your faithfulness in destruction.
12Your wonders will be known in the dark, and your righteousness in the land that has been forsaken.


13But to you I have cried, Yahvah; and early in the morning will my prayer come before you.
14Yahvah, do not forsake my soul, and do not turn your face from me.
15I am poor and afflicted from my youth; I have been proud, but now I am humbled and crushed.
16Your fierce wrath goes over me; your terrors have silenced me.
17They came around me daily like water; they set themselves in array against me.
18Friends and neighbors you have put far from me, and my acquaintances you have kept away from me.

Lockerbie Bomber Released

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi was convicted for the December 21, 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The trial had been full of strange testimony, including Masonic plots, and international intrigue.

The Libyan public never believed that he was guilty, but instead felt this was a show trial in order appease victims.

Abdel was released on August 20, 2009, by Scottish authorities because he was suffering from terminal cancer.

He was greeted by massive crowds at Tripoli's airport, welcomed home as a hero. Planned live broadcast of his hero's welcome were scuttled at the last minute, with recorded clips aired on local TV around 1:00 AM local time.

Matches

The Psalm number, 88, matches the year of the bombing, 1988, sometimes written '88. Abdel arrived in Libya several hours ahead of the theoretical time for this Psalm. The text suggests a fulfillment at night, while the theoretical time is around sunrise in Tripoli.

Verses 1, 2, 9 and 13 indicate that there had been daily prayer involved in this situation. The Scottish officials indicated this was a mercy release. Political jargon for God intervened.

Verse 3, 4 and 10 indicate the fulfillment will be found in someone who is near death. Abdel is suffering from terminal cancer and not expected to live very long. This was the basis for his release.

Verse 5 uses a title like "nobleman." Abdel was treated as a hero at his return, with the government of Libya sending a VIP equipped airbus in order to bring him home. He was also accompanied by government officials on the flight.

Verses 6 and 7 indicate that God had put him in this frightful position this time in prison was God's wrath.

Verses 8 and 18 deal with Abdel's separation from people he knew, and how he was shut up in prison.

The night-time arrival of Abdel's flight in Libya is mentioned in verse 12. The rest of the Psalm gives other details.

By Phil Stone
Revised 13000-08-02 (2009-08-21)