A Prayer for Help in Despondency

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A [a]Contemplation of (A)Heman the Ezrahite.

88 O Lord, (B)God of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You.
Let my prayer come before You;
[b]Incline Your ear to my cry.

For my soul is full of troubles,
And my life (C)draws near to the grave.
I am counted with those who (D)go[c] down to the pit;
(E)I am like a man who has no strength,

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 88:1 Heb. Maschil
  2. Psalm 88:2 Listen to
  3. Psalm 88:4 Die

Psalm 88[a]

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth.[b] A maskil[c] of Heman the Ezrahite.

Lord, you are the God who saves me;(A)
    day and night I cry out(B) to you.
May my prayer come before you;
    turn your ear to my cry.

I am overwhelmed with troubles(C)
    and my life draws near to death.(D)
I am counted among those who go down to the pit;(E)
    I am like one without strength.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 88:1 In Hebrew texts 88:1-18 is numbered 88:2-19.
  2. Psalm 88:1 Title: Possibly a tune, “The Suffering of Affliction”
  3. Psalm 88:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

My eye wastes away because of affliction.

(A)Lord, I have called daily upon You;
I have stretched out my hands to You.

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    my eyes(A) are dim with grief.

I call(B) to you, Lord, every day;
    I spread out my hands(C) to you.

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11 Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave?
Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?

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11 Is your love declared in the grave,
    your faithfulness(A) in Destruction[a]?

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 88:11 Hebrew Abaddon

13 But to You I have cried out, O Lord,
And in the morning my prayer comes before You.

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13 But I cry to you for help,(A) Lord;
    in the morning(B) my prayer comes before you.(C)

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15 I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth;
I suffer Your terrors;
I am distraught.

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15 From my youth(A) I have suffered(B) and been close to death;
    I have borne your terrors(C) and am in despair.(D)

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