| 88:1 | A Prayer for Help in DespondencyA Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to "Mahalath Leannoth." A Contemplation of Heman the hite. O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried 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 the grave. |
| 88:4 | I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength, |
| 88:5 | Adrift among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And who are cut off from Your hand. |
| 88:6 | You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths. |
| 88:7 | Your wrath lies heavy upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves.Selah |
| 88:8 | You have put away my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and I cannot get out; |
| 88:9 | My eye wastes away because of affliction.LORD, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You. |
| 88:10 | Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You?Selah |
| 88:11 | Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? |
| 88:12 | Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? |
| 88:13 | But to You I have cried out, O LORD, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. |
| 88:14 | LORD, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? |
| 88:15 | I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. |
| 88:16 | Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off. |
| 88:17 | They came around me all day long like water; They engulfed me altogether. |
| 88:18 | Loved one and friend You have put far from me, And my acquaintances into darkness. |