Psalms 88

1A song, a psalm of the sons of Korah, for the music director, for singing Mahalath, a contemplative song of Heman the Ezrahite.

2Adonai, God of my salvation, day and night I cried out before You.

3Let my prayer come before You. Turn Your ear to my cry.

4For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.

5I am counted with those who go down into the Pit. I have become as one with no strength—

6abandoned among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom You remember no more— cut off from Your hand.

7You have laid me in the lowest places, in dark places, in the depths.

8Your wrath lies heavily on me. You afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah

9You have put my companions far from me. You have made me repulsive to them. I am shut in and I cannot go out.

10My eye fails from affliction. I call upon You every day, Adonai. I spread out my hands to You.

11Will You work wonders for the dead? Or will the departed spirits rise up praising You? Selah

12Will Your love be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of ruin?

13Will Your wonders be known in the darkness? Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?

14But I—I cried out to You, Adonai, and in the morning my prayer meets You.

15Adonai, why do You spurn me? Why do You hide Your face from me?

16From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death. I suffer Your terrors—I am desperate!

17Your fury has swept over me. Your terrors have cut me off.

18Like water they surge around me all day. They close in on me together.

19Friend and loved one You took far from me. Darkness has become my companion.