1 (88-1) A Song, a Psalm of the sons of Korah; for the Leader; upon Mahalath Leannoth. Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. (88-2) O LORD, God of my salvation, what time I cry in the night before Thee, 2 (88-3) Let my prayer come before Thee, incline Thine ear unto my cry. 3 (88-4) For my soul is sated with troubles, and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. 4 (88-5) I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am become as a man that hath no help; 5 (88-6) Set apart among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom Thou rememberest no more; and they are cut off from Thy hand. 6 (88-7) Thou hast laid me in the nethermost pit, in dark places, in the deeps. 7 (88-8) Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and all Thy waves Thou pressest down. Selah 8 (88-9) Thou hast put mine acquaintance far from me; Thou hast made me an abomination unto them; I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. 9 (88-10) Mine eye languisheth by reason of affliction; I have called upon Thee, O LORD, every day, I have spread forth my hands unto Thee. 10 (88-11) Wilt Thou work wonders for the dead? Or shall the shades arise and give Thee thanks? Selah 11 (88-12) Shall Thy mercy be declared in the grave? or Thy faithfulness in destruction? 12 (88-13) Shall Thy wonders be known in the dark? and Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? 13 (88-14) But as for me, unto Thee, O LORD, do I cry, and in the morning doth my prayer come to meet Thee. 14 (88-15) LORD, why castest Thou off my soul? Why hidest Thou Thy face from me? 15 (88-16) I am afflicted and at the point of death from my youth up; I have borne Thy terrors, I am distracted. 16 (88-17) Thy fierce wrath is gone over me; Thy terrors have cut me off. 17 (88-18) They came round about me like water all the day; they compassed me about together. 18 (88-19) Friend and companion hast Thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.