Psalm 88

A Cry of Desperation

A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.†

Lord, God of my salvation,

I cry out before you day and night.a

2May my prayer reach your presence;

listen to my cry.a

3For I have had enough troubles,

and my life is near Sheol.a

4I am counted among those going down to the Pit.a

I am like a man without strength,b

5abandonedA among the dead.

I am like the slain lying in the grave,a

whom you no longer remember,

and who are cut off from your care.B b

6You have put me in the lowest part of the Pit,

in the darkest places, in the depths.a

7Your wrath weighs heavily on me;a

you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.b

Selah

8You have distanced my friends from me;

you have made me repulsive to them.a

I am shut in and cannot go out.

9My eyes are worn out from crying.a

Lord, I cry out to you all day long;b

I spread out my hands to you.c

10Do you work wonders for the dead?

Do departed spirits rise up to praise you?a

Selah

11Will your faithful love be declared in the grave,

your faithfulness in Abaddon?a

12Will your wonders be known in the darkness

or your righteousness in the land of oblivion?a

13But I call to you for help, Lord;

in the morning my prayer meets you.a

14Lord, why do you reject me?a

Why do you hide your face from me?b

15From my youth,

I have been suffering and near death.

I suffer your horrors; I am desperate.a

16Your wrath sweeps over me;

your terrors destroy me.a

17They surround me like water all day long;

they close in on me from every side.a

18You have distanced loved one and neighbor from me;

darkness is my only friend.a a