Is the writer’s forgetting “what happiness is” due to a lapse of memory?

His forgetting is not a lapse of memory, but exactly the opposite. The happiness mentioned by the writer refers to the pleasantness and desirability of life. In this case it refers to the blessings of God upon his people and especially the privilege and satisfaction of worshipping God (see Psalm 65:4). The writer did not forget, but his memory of these past privileges contributes to his present desperation.- The root meaning of the word used for forgotten is not used to describe forgetfulness. In Psalm 88:12 it is used to describe the state of the dead. They are not without memories; on the contrary, they have nothing but memories and experience frustration because they are unable to participate in the happiness they once enjoyed.¹ Likewise, the writer did not forget; it is the remembrance of previous good once divinely bestowed, now gone.