O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you. 1
May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. 2
For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave. 3
I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength. 4
I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. 5
You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. 6
Your wrath lies heavily upon me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. 7
You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; 8
my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 9
Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? 10
Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction ? 11
Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? 12
But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 13
Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me? 14
From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair. 15
Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. 16
All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. 17
You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend. 18