Dual Panel1A song: a psalm: for the Korahites: for the leader: set to “Mahalath le-annoth”: a maskil: for Heman the Ezrahite LORD, my God, by day I call for help, by night I cry aloud in your presence.
2Let my prayer come before you, hear my loud entreaty;
3for I have had my fill of woes, which have brought me to the brink of Sheol.
4I am numbered with those who go down to the abyss; I have become like a man beyond help,
5abandoned among the dead, like the slain lying in the grave whom you hold in mind no more, who are cut off from your care.
6You have plunged me into the lowest abyss, into the darkest regions of the depths.
7Your wrath bears heavily on me, you have brought on me all your fury. [Selah]
8You have removed my friends far from me and made me utterly loathsome to them. I am shut in with no escape;
9my eyes are dim with anguish. LORD, every day I have called to you and stretched out my hands in prayer.
10Will it be for the dead you work wonders? Or can the shades rise up and praise you? [Selah]
11Will they speak in the grave of your love, of your faithfulness in the tomb?
12Will your wonders be known in the region of darkness, your victories in the land of oblivion?
13But as for me, LORD, I cry to you, my prayer comes before you in the morning.
14LORD, why have you cast me off, why do you hide your face from me?
15From childhood I have suffered and been near to death; I have borne your terrors, I am numb.
16Your burning fury has swept over me, your onslaughts have overwhelmed me;
17all the day long they surge round me like a flood, from every side they close in on me.
18You have taken friend and neighbour far from me; darkness is now my only companion.