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.

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

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

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

5 abandoned 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.

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

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

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

9 My 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].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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