1 LORD, God of my salvation, by day and by night I cry out before you. ISV — Psalm 88:1
2 Let my prayer come before you; listen b88:2 Lit. stretch your ears to my cry. ISV — Psalm 88:2
3 For my life is filled with troubles as I approach Sheol. c88:3 i.e. the realm of the dead ISV — Psalm 88:3
4 I am considered as one of those descending into the Pit, d88:4 i.e. the place of punishment in the afterlife like a mighty man without strength, ISV — Psalm 88:4
5 released to remain e88:5 The Heb. lacks to remain with the dead, lying in a grave like a corpse, remembered no longer, and cut off from your power. ISV — Psalm 88:5
6 You have assigned me to the lowest part of the Pit, f88:6 i.e. the place of punishment in the afterlife to the darkest depths. ISV — Psalm 88:6
7 Your anger lies heavily upon me; you pound g88:7 Lit. oppress me with all your waves. Interlude ISV — Psalm 88:7
8 You caused my acquaintances to shun me; h88:8 Lit. to be distant you make me extremely abhorrent to them. Restrained, I am unable to go out. ISV — Psalm 88:8
9 My eyes languish on account of my affliction; all day long I call out to you, LORD, I spread out my hands to you. ISV — Psalm 88:9
10 Can you perform wonders for the dead? Can departed spirits stand up to praise you? Interlude ISV — Psalm 88:10
11 Can your gracious love be declared in the grave or your faithfulness in Abaddon? i88:11 i.e. the realm of destruction in the afterlife ISV — Psalm 88:11
12 Can your awesome deeds be known in darkness or your righteousness in the land of oblivion? ISV — Psalm 88:12
13 As for me, I cry out to you LORD, and in the morning my prayer greets you. ISV — Psalm 88:13
14 Why, LORD, have you rejected me? Why have you hidden your face from me? ISV — Psalm 88:14
15 Since my youth I have been oppressed and in danger of death. I bear your dread and am overwhelmed. ISV — Psalm 88:15
16 Your burning anger overwhelms me; your terrors destroy me. ISV — Psalm 88:16
17 Like waters, they engulf me all day long; they surround me on all sides. ISV — Psalm 88:17
18 You caused my friend and neighbor to shun me; j88:18 Lit. be distant from and my acquaintances are confused. k88:18 Lit. are in darkness ISV — Psalm 88:18