Psalm 88
A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "The Suffering of Affliction." A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite.
[88:1] Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you. [88:2] Let my prayer enter into your presence. Turn your ear to my cry. [88:3] For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol. [88:4] I am counted among those who go down into the pit. I am like a man who has no help, [88:5] 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. [88:6] You have laid me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. [88:7] Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah. [88:8] You have taken my friends from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am confined, and I can't escape. [88:9] My eyes are dim from grief. I have called on you daily, Yahweh. I have spread out my hands to you. [88:10] Do you show wonders to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Selah. [88:11] Is your loving kindness declared in the grave? Or your faithfulness in Destruction? [88:12] Are your wonders made known in the dark? Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? [88:13] But to you, Yahweh, I have cried. In the morning, my prayer comes before you. [88:14] Yahweh, why do you reject my soul? Why do you hide your face from me? [88:15] I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. While I suffer your terrors, I am distracted. [88:16] Your fierce wrath has gone over me. Your terrors have cut me off. [88:17] They came around me like water all day long. They completely engulfed me. [88:18] You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness.