The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Psalms 088
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.
1 Yahweh, the God of my salvation,
I have cried day and night before you.
2 Let my prayer enter into your presence.
Turn your ear to my cry.
3 For my soul is full of troubles.
My life draws near to Sheol.†
4 I am counted among those who go down
into the pit. I am like a man who has no help,
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.
6 You have laid me in the lowest pit,
in the darkest depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavily on me.
You have afflicted me with all your
waves. Selah.
8 You have taken my friends from me.
You have made me an abomination to
them. I am confined, and I can’t escape.
9 My eyes are dim from grief.
I have called on you daily, Yahweh.
I have spread out my hands to you.
10 Do you show wonders to the dead?
Do the departed spirits rise up and
praise you? Selah.
11 Is your loving kindness declared in the
grave? Or your faithfulness in Destruction?
12 Are your wonders made known in the
dark? Or your righteousness in the land of
forgetfulness?
13 But to you, Yahweh, I have cried.
In the morning, my prayer comes before you.
14 Yahweh, why do you reject my soul?
Why do you hide your face from me?
15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my
youth up. While I suffer your terrors, I am distracted.
16 Your fierce wrath has gone over me.
Your terrors have cut me off.
17 They came around me like water all day
long. They completely engulfed me.
18 You have put lover and friend far from
me, and my friends into darkness.