(A song and a psalm by the people of Korah for the music leader. To the tune “Mahalath Leannoth”.Psalm 88 To…Leannoth: Or “For the flutes”, one possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. A special psalm by Heman the Ezrahite.)

A prayer when you can't find the way

1You keep me safe, LORD God.

So when I pray at night,

2please listen carefully

to each of my concerns.

3I am deeply troubled

and close to death;

4I am as good as dead

and completely helpless.

5I am no better off

than those in the grave,

those you have forgotten

and no longer help.

6You have put me in the deepest

and darkest grave;

7your anger rolls over me

like ocean waves.

8You have made my friends turn

in horror from me.

I am a prisoner

who cannot escape,

9and I am almost blind

because of my sorrow.

Each day I lift my hands

in prayer to you, LORD.

10Do you work miracles

for the dead?

Do they stand up

and praise you?

11Are your love and loyalty

announced in the world

of the dead?

12Do they know of your miracles

or your saving power

in the dark world below

where all is forgotten?

13Each morning I pray

to you, LORD.

14Why do you reject me?

Why do you turn from me?

15Ever since I was a child,

I have been sick

and close to death.

You have terrified me

and made me helpless.88.15 and made me helpless: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

16Your anger is like a flood!

And I am shattered

by your furious attacks

17that strike each day

and from every side.

18My friends and neighbours

have turned against me

because of you,

and now darkness

is my only companion.