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.
A Song, a psalm of the Korahites. To the leader: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O Lord my God, I cry for help in the day-time, in the night my cry is before you;
2 Let my prayer come in before you; incline your ear to my supplication, O Lord.
let my prayer come into your presence, incline your ear to my cry.
For I am sated with sorrow, my life draws near to Sheol. (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 with those who go down to the pit; without strength am I.
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.
My home is among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom you remember no more cut off as they are from your hand.
6 They laid me in the lowest pit, in dark [places], and in the shadow of death.
In the deepest pit you have put me, in shadows deep and dark.
7 Your wrath has pressed heavily upon me, and you have brought upon me all your billows. (Pause)
Your wrath lies heavy upon me, waves of your anger roll over me. (Selah)
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 put my friends far from me, you have made them shun me. I am shut in, and cannot 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 wasted with sorrow. I call on you, Lord, every day, spreading my hands out to you.
10 Will you work wonders for the dead? or shall physicians raise [them] up, that they shall praise you?
For the dead can you work wonders? Can the shades rise again to praise you? (Selah)
11 Shall any one declare your mercy in the tomb? and your truth in destruction?
Can your kindness be told in the grave, your faithfulness in the tomb?
12 Shall your wonders be known in darkness? and your righteousness in a forgotten land?
Can your wonders be known in the darkness, or your help in the land of forgetfulness?
13 But I cried to you, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent you.
I cry for help to you, in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 Therefore, O Lord, do you reject my prayer, [and] turn your face away from me?
Why, O Lord, do you spurn me, and 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.
From my youth I am wretched and dying, I am numbed by the terrors I bear.
16 Your wrath has passed over me; and your terrors have greatly disquieted me.
The fires of your wrath have passed over me, your terrors destroy me,
17 They compassed me like water; all the day they beset me together.
surging around me forever, hemming me in altogether.
18 You have put far from me [every] friend, and mine acquaintances because of [my] wretchedness.
Those who love me you put far from me; the dark is my only friend.
