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Psalm 88

LM/LMD · 8·8·8·8 (D)

A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1 Lord God of my salvation,

before thee day and night cry’d I.

2 Before thee O let my pray’r come:

incline thine ear unto my cry.

3 Because my soul is troubl’d so:

and my life draws nigh to the grave.

4 Counted with them to th’ pit that go:

I’m as a man that no strength have.

5 Free among those men that be dead,

like slain which in the grave are shut;

by thee no more remembered:

and by thy hand off are they cut.

6 Thou hast me laid i’th pit most low

in darknesses, within deep caves.

7 Hard on me lies thy wrath, and thou

dost me afflict with all thy waves. Selah.

8 Men that of mine acquaintance be

thou hast put far away me fro:

unto them loathsome thou mad’st me,

I am shut up nor forth can go.

9 Because of mine affliction,

mine eye with mourning pines away:

Jehovah, I call thee upon:

and stretch my hands to thee all day.

10 Show wonders to the dead wilt thou?

shall dead arise and thee confess? Selah.

11 i’th grave wilt thou thy kindness show?

in lost estate thy faithfulness?

12 Thy works that wonderful have been

within the dark shall they be known?

and shall thy righteousness be seen

in the land of oblivion?

13 But, Lord, I have cry’d thee unto

at morn, my pray’r prevent shall thee.

14 Lord, why cast thou my soul thee fro?

why hidest thou thy face from me?

15 I’m poor afflicted, and to die

am ready, from my youthful years,

I am sore troubl’d doubtfully

while I do bare thy horrid fears.

16 Thy fierce wrath over me doth go,

thy terrors they do me dismay.

17 Encompass me about they do,

close me together all the day.

18 Lover and friend a far thou hast

removed off away from me,

and mine acquaintance thou hast cast

into darksome obscurity.