[88:1] Lord God, my savior, I cry out all day, and at night I come before you.
[88:2] Hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help!
[88:3] So many troubles have fallen on me that I am close to death.
[88:4] I am like all others who are about to die; all my strength is gone.
[88:5] I am abandoned among the dead; I am like the slain lying in their graves, those you have forgotten completely, who are beyond your help.
[88:6] You have thrown me into the depths of the tomb, into the darkest and deepest pit.
[88:7] Your anger lies heavy on me, and I am crushed beneath its waves.
[88:8] You have caused my friends to abandon me; you have made me repulsive to them. I am closed in and cannot escape;
[88:9] my eyes are weak from suffering. Lord, every day I call to you and lift my hands to you in prayer.
[88:10] Do you perform miracles for the dead? Do they rise up and praise you?
[88:11] Is your constant love spoken of in the grave or your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
[88:12] Are your miracles seen in that place of darkness or your goodness in the land of the forgotten?
[88:13] Lord, I call to you for help; every morning I pray to you.
[88:14] Why do you reject me, Lord? Why do you turn away from me?
[88:15] Ever since I was young, I have suffered and been near death; I am worn out from the burden of your punishments.
[88:16] Your furious anger crushes me; your terrible attacks destroy me.
[88:17] All day long they surround me like a flood; they close in on me from every side.
[88:18] You have made even my closest friends abandon me, and darkness is my only companion.