Psalms 88

A Prayer for Help in Despondency

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite.¹O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. ²Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. ³For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave. ⁴I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength, ⁵Adrift among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And who are cut off from Your hand. ⁶You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths. ⁷Your wrath lies heavy upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah ⁸You have put away my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and I cannot get out; ⁹My eye wastes away because of affliction. Lord, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You. ¹⁰Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah ¹¹Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? ¹²Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? ¹³But to You I have cried out, O Lord, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. ¹⁴Lord, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? ¹⁵I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. ¹⁶Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off. ¹⁷They came around me all day long like water; They engulfed me altogether. ¹⁸Loved one and friend You have put far from me, And my acquaintances into darkness.