1A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You.

2May my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry.

3For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.

4I am counted among those descending to the Pit. I am like a man without strength.

5I am forsaken among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom You remember no more, who are cut off from Your care.

6You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.

7Your wrath weighs heavily upon me; all Your waves have submerged me. Selah

8You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape.

9My eyes grow dim with grief. I call to You daily, O LORD; I spread out my hands to You.

10Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah

11Can Your loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon?

12Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?

13But to You, O LORD, I cry for help; in the morning my prayer comes before You.

14Why, O LORD, do You reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me?

15From my youth I was afflicted and near death. I have borne Your terrors; I am in despair.

16Your wrath has swept over me; Your terrors have destroyed me.

17All day long they engulf me like water; they enclose me on every side.

18You have removed my beloved and my friend; darkness is my closest companion.