Psalms 88
88
A Prayer for Help in Despair
A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah.
For the music director; according to Mahalath Leannoth.
A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.#The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one
1O Yahweh, God of my salvation,
I cry out by day and through the night before you.
2Let my prayer come before you;
incline your ear to my cry.
3For my soul is full with troubles,
and my life approaches Sheol.
4I am reckoned with those descending to the pit.
I am like a man#The Hebrew suggests a strong, vigorous man without strength,#Or “without help”
5set free#Or “forsaken” among the dead,
like the slain lying in the grave,
whom you no longer remember,
even those cut off from your hand.
6You have set me in the pit below,
in dark places, in the depths.
7Your wrath presses upon me,
and you afflict me with all your waves. Selah
8You have removed my acquaintances far from me.
You have made me detestable#Hebrew “an abomination” to them.
I am confined and cannot go out.
9My eye languishes from misery.
I call on you, O Yahweh, every day;
I spread out my hands#Hebrew “palms” to you.
10Do you work wonders#Hebrew “wonder” for the dead?
Or do the departed spirits#Hebrew rephaim, sometimes translated “shades”; the weakened state of those who have died rise up to praise you? Selah
11Is your loyal love told in the grave,
or your faithfulness in the underworld?#Hebrew abaddon, the place of destruction
12Are your wonders#Hebrew “wonder” known in the darkness,
or your righteousness#Or “deed of justice” in the land of forgetfulness?
13But as for me, I cry for help to you, O Yahweh,
and in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14Why do you reject my soul, O Yahweh?
Why do you hide your face from me?
15I am afflicted and perishing from my youth.
I bear your terrors. I am distraught.#Hebrew meaning uncertain
16Your burning anger has passed over me;
your sudden fears have destroyed me.
17They surround me like water all the day;
they circle about me altogether.
18You have removed loved one and friend far from me,
my acquaintances far from my darkness.
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Psalms 88: LEB
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Psalms 88
88
Psalm 88
A song; a psalm by Korah’s descendants; for the choir director; according to mahalath leannoth; #88:0 Unknown musical term. a maskil by Heman the Ezrahite.
1O Lord God, my savior,
I cry out to you during the day and at night.
2Let my prayer come into your presence.
Turn your ear to hear my cries.
3My soul is filled with troubles,
and my life comes closer to the grave.
4I am numbered with those who go into the pit.
I am like a man without any strength—
5abandoned with the dead,
like those who have been killed and lie in graves,
like those whom you no longer remember,
who are cut off from your power.
6You have put me in the bottom of the pit—in deep, dark places.
7Your rage lies heavily on me.
You make all your waves pound on me. Selah
8You have taken my friends far away from me.
You made me disgusting to them.
I’m shut in, and I can’t get out.
9My eyes grow weak because of my suffering.
All day long I call out to you, O Lord.
I stretch out my hands to you ⌞in prayer⌟.
10Will you perform miracles for those who are dead?
Will the spirits of the dead rise and give thanks to you? Selah
11Will anyone tell about your mercy in Sheol
or about your faithfulness in Abaddon?
12Will anyone know about your miracles in that dark place
or about your righteousness in the place where forgotten people live?
13I cry out to you for help, O Lord,
and in the morning my prayer will come into your presence.
14Why do you reject my soul, O Lord?
Why do you hide your face from me?
15Ever since I was young, I have been suffering and near death.
I have endured your terrors, and now I am in despair.
16Your burning anger has swept over me.
Your terrors have destroyed me.
17They swirl around me all day long like water.
They surround me on all sides.
18You have taken my loved ones and friends far away from me.
Darkness is my only friend!
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