Psalms 88
1 A song of a Psalm for the sons of Core for the end, upon Maeleth for responsive [strains], of instruction for Aeman the Israelite. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried by day and in the night before you.
Adonai, the God of my yishu'ah ·salvation·, I have cried day and night before you.
2 Let my prayer come in before you; incline your ear to my supplication, O Lord.
Let my prayer enter into your presence. Turn your ear to my cry.
For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol ·Place of the dead·. (Sheol h7585)
4 I have been reckoned with them that go down to the pit; I became as a man without help;
I am counted among those who go down into the pit (of Abbadon, the unrighteous side of Sheol). I am like a man who has no help,
5 free among the dead, as the slain ones cast out, who sleep in the tomb; whom you remember no more; and they are rejected from your hand.
set apart among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more. They are cut off from your hand.
6 They laid me in the lowest pit, in dark [places], and in the shadow of death.
You have laid me in the lowest pit (of Abbadon, the unrighteous side of Sheol), in the darkest depths.
7 Your wrath has pressed heavily upon me, and you have brought upon me all your billows. (Pause)
Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have afflicted me with all your waves. (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
8 You have removed my acquaintance far from me; they have made me an abomination to themselves; I have been delivered up, and have not gone forth.
You have taken my friends from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am confined, and I can’t escape.
9 Mine eyes are dimmed from poverty; but I cried to you, O Lord, all the day; I spread forth my hands to you.
My eyes are dim from grief. I have called on you daily, Adonai. I have spread out my hands to you.
10 Will you work wonders for the dead? or shall physicians raise [them] up, that they shall praise you?
Do you show wonders to the dead? Do the departed spirits rise up and yadah ·extend hands in thankful praise· to you? (Selah) ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
11 Shall any one declare your mercy in the tomb? and your truth in destruction?
Is your chesed ·loving-kindness· declared in the grave? Or your faithfulness in Abaddon ·Destruction, Unrighteous side of Sheol·?
12 Shall your wonders be known in darkness? and your righteousness in a forgotten land?
Are your wonders made known in the dark? Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But I cried to you, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent you.
But to you, Adonai, I have cried. In the morning, my prayer comes before you.
14 Therefore, O Lord, do you reject my prayer, [and] turn your face away from me?
Adonai, why do you reject my soul? Why do you hide your face from me?
15 I am poor and in troubles from my youth; and having been exalted, I was brought low and into despair.
I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. While I suffer your terrors, I am distracted.
16 Your wrath has passed over me; and your terrors have greatly disquieted me.
Your fierce wrath has gone over me. Your terrors have cut me off.
17 They compassed me like water; all the day they beset me together.
They came around me like water all day long. They completely engulfed me.
18 You have put far from me [every] friend, and mine acquaintances because of [my] wretchedness.
You have put 'ahav ·affectionate lover· and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness.
