Psalm 88

88:1

A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You.

88:2

May my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry.

88:3

For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.

88:4

I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength.

88:5

I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care.

88:6

You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.

88:7

Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah

88:8

You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape.

88:9

My eyes grow dim with grief. I call to You daily, O LORD; I spread out my hands to You.

88:10

Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah

88:11

Can Your loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon?

88:12

Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?

88:13

But to You, O LORD, I cry for help; in the morning my prayer comes before You.

88:14

Why, O LORD, do You reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me?

88:15

From my youth I was afflicted and near death. I have borne Your terrors; I am in despair.

88:16

Your wrath has swept over me; Your terrors have destroyed me.

88:17

All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side.

88:18

You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion.