Psalm 88:1
New International Version
A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. LORD, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.

New Living Translation
O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night.

English Standard Version
O LORD, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

New King James Version
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You.

New American Standard Bible
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the music director; according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You.

NASB 1995
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director; according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You.

NASB 1977
O Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before Thee.

Legacy Standard Bible
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and throughout the night before You.

Amplified Bible
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician; set to chant mournfully. A didactic or reflective poem of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out [for help] by day and in the night before You.

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
A Song, a Psalm of the sons of Korah; for the Chief Musician; set to Mahalath Leannoth. Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O Jehovah, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee.

Contemporary English Version
You keep me safe, LORD God. So when I pray at night,

English Revised Version
A Song, a Psalm of the sons of Korah; for the Chief Musician; set to Mahalath Leannoth. Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A song; a psalm by Korah's descendants; for the choir director; according to [mahalath leannoth]; a [maskil] by Heman the Ezrahite.] O LORD God, my savior, I cry out to you during the day and at night.

Good News Translation
LORD God, my savior, I cry out all day, and at night I come before you.

International Standard Version
LORD, God of my salvation, by day and by night I cry out before you.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
A song, a psalm written by the Korahites; for the music director; according to the machalath-leannoth style; a well-written song by Heman the Ezrachite. O LORD God who delivers me! By day I cry out and at night I pray before you.

New Heart English Bible
[A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "The Suffering of Affliction." A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite.] LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

World English Bible
A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Suffering of Affliction.” A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A SONG. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH. TO THE OVERSEER. [SET] ON “SICKNESS TO AFFLICT.” AN INSTRUCTION OF HEMAN THE EZRAHITE. O YHWH, God of my salvation, "" Daily I have cried, nightly before You,

Young's Literal Translation
A Song, a Psalm, by sons of Korah, to the Overseer, 'Concerning the Sickness of Afflictions.' -- An instruction, by Heman the Ezrahite. O Jehovah, God of my salvation, Daily I have cried, nightly before Thee,

Smith's Literal Translation
A song of chanting to the sons of Korah to the overseer upon the lute, for affliction of instruction, for Heman the Ezrabite. O Jehovah, God of my salvation, the day have I cried in the night before thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A canticle of a psalm for the sons of Core: unto the end, for Maheleth, to answer understanding of Eman the Ezrahite. O Lord, the God of my salvation: I have cried in the day, and in the night before thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Canticle Psalm to the sons of Korah. Unto the end. For Mahalath, to answer the understanding of Heman the Ezrahite. O Lord, God of my salvation: I have cried out, day and night, in your presence.

New American Bible
LORD, the God of my salvation, I call out by day; at night I cry aloud in your presence.

New Revised Standard Version
O LORD, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH, God of my salvation, in the daytime I have cried and before you in the nighttime.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Song, a Psalm of the sons of Korah; for the Leader; upon Mahalath Leannoth. Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, God of my salvation, What time I cry in the night before Thee,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A song of a Psalm for the sons of Core for the end, upon Maeleth for responsive strains, of instruction for Aeman the Israelite. O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried by day and in the night before thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Day and Night I Cry Out Before You
1A 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. 2May my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry.…

Cross References
Psalm 22:1
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?

Psalm 130:1
A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD!

Lamentations 3:8
Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.

Job 30:20
I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer; when I stand up, You merely look at me.

Jonah 2:2
saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.

Psalm 77:1-2
For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph. I cried out to God; I cried aloud to God to hear me. / In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted.

Psalm 142:1
A Maskil of David, when he was in the cave. A prayer. I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift my voice to the LORD for mercy.

Psalm 6:9
The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalm 31:22
In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.

Psalm 69:3
I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

Psalm 102:1
A prayer of one who is afflicted, when he grows faint and pours out his lament before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come before You.

Psalm 143:1
A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.

Isaiah 38:14
I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.”

1 Samuel 1:10
In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears.

2 Kings 20:3
“Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.


Treasury of Scripture

O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you:

A.

Psalm 53:1
To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Heman

1 Kings 4:31
For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.

1 Chronicles 2:6
And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.

Lord

Psalm 27:1,9
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? …

Psalm 51:14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

Psalm 62:7
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

I have

Psalm 22:2
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

Psalm 86:3
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Nehemiah 1:6
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

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Affliction Chief Choirmaster Contemplation Cried Director Ezrahite Help Heman Korah Leannoth Mahalath Maschil Maskil Music Musician Night Psalm Salvation Song Suffering Tune
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Psalm 88
1. A prayer containing a grievous complaint.














A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
The sons of Korah were a group of Levitical singers and musicians in the temple, descendants of Korah who was known for his rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). Despite their ancestor's rebellion, the sons of Korah were appointed to serve in the temple, highlighting God's grace and redemption. Their psalms often reflect deep emotional and spiritual insights.

For the choirmaster.
This indicates that the psalm was intended for public worship and was to be directed by the choirmaster, a leader of music in the temple. It underscores the communal aspect of worship in ancient Israel, where music played a central role in expressing faith and lament.

According to Mahalath Leannoth.
The term "Mahalath Leannoth" is likely a musical or liturgical term, possibly indicating the tune or style in which the psalm was to be performed. It suggests a somber or plaintive melody, fitting the tone of Psalm 88, which is one of the most sorrowful psalms.

A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.
A "Maskil" is a type of psalm intended to impart wisdom or insight. Heman the Ezrahite was a wise man and a musician in the time of King David (1 Chronicles 15:19). His inclusion as the author suggests a psalm of deep contemplation and understanding, reflecting personal and communal struggles.

O LORD, the God of my salvation,
This phrase acknowledges God as the source of salvation, a central theme in the Old Testament. It reflects a personal relationship with God, emphasizing trust and reliance on Him even in times of distress. The use of "LORD" (Yahweh) signifies a covenant relationship, reminding the reader of God's promises to His people.

day and night I cry out before You.
The psalmist's continuous prayer "day and night" indicates a state of persistent distress and urgency. This reflects the biblical principle of unceasing prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and echoes other scriptures where individuals cry out to God in times of trouble (Psalm 22:2). It highlights the depth of the psalmist's suffering and his unwavering faith in seeking God's presence.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Sons of Korah
This psalm is attributed to the Sons of Korah, a group of Levitical singers in the temple. They are known for their deep and often poignant psalms.

2. Heman the Ezrahite
The psalm is specifically attributed to Heman, a wise man and musician, who is believed to have been one of the leaders of the temple music during King David's reign.

3. The Temple
While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm suggests a setting of worship and lamentation, likely connected to the temple where the Sons of Korah served.
Teaching Points
Persistent Prayer
The psalmist's cry "day and night" emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer. In times of distress, we are encouraged to continually bring our concerns before God, trusting in His timing and wisdom.

God as Savior
Referring to God as "the God of my salvation" reminds us of His role as our deliverer. Even in the darkest times, we can hold onto the truth that God is our ultimate source of salvation and hope.

Authentic Lament
This psalm teaches us that it is okay to express our deepest sorrows and struggles to God. Authentic lament is a form of worship that acknowledges our dependence on Him.

Community in Worship
The involvement of the Sons of Korah suggests the importance of community in worship and lament. Sharing our burdens with fellow believers can provide support and encouragement.Verse 1. - O Lord God of my salvation. This is the one "word of trust," which some get rid of by an emendation. But the Septuagint supports the existing Hebrew text; and it is in harmony with the rest of Scripture. The saints of God never despair. I have cried day and night before thee; literally, by day have I cried - by night before thee; a trembling, gasping utterance (Kay).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Song.
שִׁ֥יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

A Psalm
מִזְמ֗וֹר (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of the sons
לִבְנֵ֫י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Korah.
קֹ֥רַח (qō·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7141: Korah -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name

For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֣חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

According to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Mahalath
מָחֲלַ֣ת (mā·ḥă·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4257: Machalath'

Leannoth.
לְעַנּ֑וֹת (lə·‘an·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted

A Maskil
מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל (maś·kîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4905: Instructive, a didactic poem

of Heman
לְהֵימָ֥ן (lə·hê·mān)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1968: Heman -- an Israelite name

the Ezrahite.
הָאֶזְרָחִֽי׃ (hā·’ez·rā·ḥî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 250: Ezrahite -- a descendant of Zerah

O LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of my salvation,
יְשׁוּעָתִ֑י (yə·šū·‘ā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3444: Something saved, deliverance, aid, victory, prosperity

day
יוֹם־ (yō·wm-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

and night
בַלַּ֣יְלָה (ḇal·lay·lāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

I cry out
צָעַ֖קְתִּי (ṣā·‘aq·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6817: To shriek, to proclaim

before You.
נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃ (neḡ·de·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before


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OT Poetry: Psalm 88:1 A Song (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 87:7
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