1[A song; a psalm by Korah's descendants; for the choir director; according to [mahalath leannoth]; a [maskil] by Heman the Ezrahite.] O LORD God, my savior, I cry out to you during the day and at night.

2Let my prayer come into your presence. Turn your ear to hear my cries.

3My soul is filled with troubles, and my life comes closer to the grave.

4I am numbered with those who go into the pit. I am like a man without any strength-

5abandoned with the dead, like those who have been killed and lie in graves, like those whom you no longer remember, who are cut off from your power.

6You have put me in the bottom of the pit- in deep, dark places.

7Your rage lies heavily on me. You make all your waves pound on me. [Selah]

8You have taken my friends far away from me. You made me disgusting to them. I'm shut in, and I can't get out.

9My eyes grow weak because of my suffering. All day long I call out to you, O LORD. I stretch out my hands to you [in prayer].

10Will you perform miracles for those who are dead? Will the spirits of the dead rise and give thanks to you? [Selah]

11Will anyone tell about your mercy in Sheol or about your faithfulness in Abaddon?

12Will anyone know about your miracles in that dark place or about your righteousness in the place where forgotten people live?

13I cry out to you for help, O LORD, and in the morning my prayer will come into your presence.

14Why do you reject my soul, O LORD? Why do you hide your face from me?

15Ever since I was young, I have been suffering and near death. I have endured your terrors, and now I am in despair.

16Your burning anger has swept over me. Your terrors have destroyed me.

17They swirl around me all day long like water. They surround me on all sides.

18You have taken my loved ones and friends far away from me. Darkness is my only friend!