Psalms 88

Psalm 88#sn Psalm 88. The psalmist cries out in pain to the Lord, begging him for relief from his intense and constant suffering. The psalmist regards God as the ultimate cause of his distress, but nevertheless clings to God in hope.

A song, a psalm written by the Korahites; for the music director; according to the machalath-leannoth style;#tn The Hebrew phrase מָחֲלַת לְעַנּוֹת (makhalat lÿ’annot) may mean “illness to afflict.” Perhaps it refers to a particular style of music, a tune title, or a musical instrument. The term מָחֲלַת also appears in the superscription of Ps 53. a well-written song#tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142, as well as in Ps 47:7. by Heman the Ezrachite.

1O Lord God who delivers me! By day I cry out and at night I pray before you.

2Listen to my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help!

3For my life is filled with troubles and I am ready to enter Sheol.

4They treat me like those who descend into the grave. I am like a helpless man,

5adrift among the dead, like corpses lying in the grave, whom you remember no more, and who are cut off from your power.

6You place me in the lowest regions of the pit, in the dark places, in the watery depths.

7Your anger bears down on me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. (Selah)

8You cause those who know me to keep their distance; you make me an appalling sight to them. I am trapped and cannot get free.

9My eyes grow weak because of oppression. I call out to you, O Lord, all day long; I spread out my hands in prayer to you.

10Do you accomplish amazing things for the dead? Do the departed spirits rise up and give you thanks? (Selah)

11Is your loyal love proclaimed in the grave, or your faithfulness in the place of the dead?

12Are your amazing deeds experienced in the dark region, or your deliverance in the land of oblivion?

13As for me, I cry out to you, O Lord; in the morning my prayer confronts you.

14O Lord, why do you reject me, and pay no attention to me?

15I am oppressed and have been on the verge of death since my youth. I have been subjected to your horrors and am numb with pain.

16Your anger overwhelms me; your terrors destroy me.

17They surround me like water all day long; they join forces and encircle me.

18You cause my friends and neighbors to keep their distance; those who know me leave me alone in the darkness.