Psalm 88

1 A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, for the one directing. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. <span class=|reftext|><a href=|#|><b>1</b></a> O YHWH, God of my salvation, [by] day I have cried out, [and] in the night before You.

2 May my prayer come before Your face; incline Your ear to my cry!

3 For my soul is filled with troubles, and my life has reached to Sheol.

4 I am counted with those going down into the Pit; I am like a man with no strength,

5 among the dead [set] free, like the slain lying down in the grave, whom You do not remember anymore, even they [who] are cut off from Your hand.

6 You have set me in the lowest Pit, in darkness in the depths.

7 Upon me Your wrath has grabbed hold, and [with] all Your waves You have afflicted. Selah

8 You have put my acquaintances far from me; You have made me loathsome to them; [I am] shut in, and I cannot go forth.

9 My eye languishes from [this] affliction; I have called to You, O YHWH, all the day; I have stretched out to You my hands.

10 Will You work wonders for the dead? And if departed spirits rise up, do they thank You? Selah

11 Can Your loving devotion be recounted in the Grave, [or] Your faithfulness in Abaddon?

12 Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, and Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13 And I, O YHWH, cry for help to You, and in the morning my prayer comes before You.

14 Why, O YHWH, do You reject my soul? You hide Your face from me.

15 I [am] afflicted and dying from my youth; I bear Your terrors; I am in despair.

16 Your wrath has passed over me; Your terrors have destroyed me.

17 They came around me like the waters all the day, they surrounded me altogether.

18 You have put far my beloved and friend; my close acquaintance [is] darkness.