Psalms 88

A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1O Yahweh, God of my salvation, by day I cry out; at night I am before you.

2May my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.

3For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.

4I am counted among those going down to the pit; I have become like a man without strength.

5I am free among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, and they are cut off from your hand.

6You have put me in the lowest pit, in dark places, in the depths.

7Your wrath has rested on me, and with all your breakers you have afflicted me. Selah

8You have driven my companions far from me; you have made me abhorrent to them. I am confined and cannot go out.

9My eye grows weak because of affliction; I call on you every day, O Yahweh; I spread out my hands to you.

10Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise to praise you? Selah

11Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Abaddon?

12Are your wonders made known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13But I cry to you for help, O Yahweh; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

14Why, O Yahweh, do you reject me? Why do you hide your face from me?

15I have been afflicted and near death since my youth; I have borne your terrors; I am overwhelmed.

16Your burning anger swept over me; your terrors destroyed me.

17They surrounded me like water all day long; together they closed in on me.

18You have driven lover and friend far from me; darkness is my companion.