88:1  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.

88:2  Let my prayer enter into your presence. Turn your ear to my cry.

88:3  For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol.

88:4  I am counted among those who go down into the pit. I am like a man who has no help,

88:5  Set apart among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom you remember no more. They are cut off from your hand.

88:6  You have laid me in the lowest pit, In the darkest depths.

88:7  Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah.

88:8  You have taken my friends from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am confined, and I can't escape.

88:9  My eyes are dim from grief. I have called on you daily, Yahweh. I have spread out my hands to you.

88:10  Do you show wonders to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Selah.

88:11  Is your loving kindness declared in the grave? Or your faithfulness in Destruction?

88:12  Are your wonders made known in the dark? Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

88:13  But to you, Yahweh, I have cried. In the morning, my prayer comes before you.

88:14  Yahweh, why do you reject my soul? Why do you hide your face from me?

88:15  I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. While I suffer your terrors, I am distracted.

88:16  Your fierce wrath has gone over me. Your terrors have cut me off.

88:17  They came around me like water all day long. They completely engulfed me.

88:18  You have put lover and friend far from me, And my friends into darkness.