Psalms 88
1 A Song, a Psalm, by sons of Korah, to the Overseer, 'Concerning the Sickness of Afflictions.' — An instruction, by Heman the Ezrahite. O Jehovah, God of my salvation, Daily I have cried, nightly before Thee,
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 My prayer cometh in before Thee, Incline Thine ear to my loud cry,
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 those going down [to] the pit, I have been as a man without strength.
I am counted with those who go down to the pit; without strength am I.
5 Among the dead — free, As pierced ones lying in the grave, Whom Thou hast not remembered any more, Yea, they by Thy hand have been cut off.
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 Thou hast put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in depths.
In the deepest pit you have put me, in shadows deep and dark.
7 Upon me hath Thy fury lain, And [with] all Thy breakers Thou hast afflicted. (Selah)
Your wrath lies heavy upon me, waves of your anger roll over me. (Selah)
8 Thou hast put mine acquaintance far from me, Thou hast made me an abomination to them, Shut up — I go not forth.
You have put my friends far from me, you have made them shun me. I am shut in, and cannot escape,
9 Mine eye hath grieved because of affliction, I called Thee, O Jehovah, all the day, I have spread out unto Thee my hands.
my eyes are wasted with sorrow. I call on you, Lord, every day, spreading my hands out to you.
10 To the dead dost Thou do wonders? Do Rephaim rise? do they thank Thee? (Selah)
For the dead can you work wonders? Can the shades rise again to praise you? (Selah)
11 Is Thy kindness recounted in the grave? Thy faithfulness in destruction?
Can your kindness be told in the grave, your faithfulness in the tomb?
12 Are Thy wonders known in the darkness? And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
Can your wonders be known in the darkness, or your help in the land of forgetfulness?
13 And I, unto Thee, O Jehovah, I have cried, And in the morning doth my prayer come before Thee.
I cry for help to you, in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 Why, O Jehovah, castest Thou off my soul? Thou hidest Thy face from me.
Why, O Lord, do you spurn me, and hide your face from me?
15 I [am] afflicted, and expiring from youth, I have borne Thy terrors — I pine away.
From my youth I am wretched and dying, I am numbed by the terrors I bear.
16 Over me hath Thy wrath passed, Thy terrors have cut me off,
The fires of your wrath have passed over me, your terrors destroy me,
17 They have surrounded me as waters all the day, They have gone round against me together,
surging around me forever, hemming me in altogether.
18 Thou hast put far from me lover and friend, Mine acquaintance [is] the place of darkness!
Those who love me you put far from me; the dark is my only friend.
