A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.
[88:1] O Lord, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you.
[88:2] Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!
[88:3] For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.
[88:4] I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,
[88:5] like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.
[88:6] You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.
[88:7] Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves.
[88:8] You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
[88:9] my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you.
[88:10] Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you?
[88:11] Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
[88:12] Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?
[88:13] But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
[88:14] O Lord, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?
[88:15] Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
[88:16] Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.
[88:17] They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.
[88:18] You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.