A Psalm for the Sons of Korah: Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite

Verse 1

Lord God, my saviour, day and night before Thee, loudly cry'd have I:

Verse 2

O let my pray'r before Thee come, And bend thine ear now to my cry.

Verse 3

Because my soul's with trouble fill'd, My life approaches to the grave:

Verse 4

Counted with thine who to the pit, Are hastning, and no strength I have.

Verse 5

Yea as one free among the dead, Like to the slain in graves I lie; Whom by thy hand Thou hast cut off, And hast no more in memory.

Verse 6

Thou lay'st me in the lowest pit, In darkness as in deepest caves;

Verse 7

Thy wrath lies hard on me, and Thou Afflictest me with all thy waves.

Verse 8

My friends thou hast put far from me, And to them made me loathsom grow; And I'm in prison shut so fast, That forth from thence I cannot go.

Verse 9

Thro' my affliction great and long, Mine eye with mourning pines away: JEHOVAH, loud I call on Thee, And stretch my hands to Thee all day.

Verse 10

Shew wonders to the dead wilt Thou? Shall the dead rise and Thee confess?

Verse 11

Or does the grave thy kindness show, Destruction tell thy faithfulness?

Verse 12

In darkness are thy wonders known? Or are thy acts of righteousness, Remember'd or acknowleg'd in The land of deep forgetfulness.

Verse 13

But LORD to Thee aloud I cry, In early morning to Thee pray;

Verse 14

Why LORD dost cast my soul from Thee? Why from me hide thy face away?

Verse 15

I'm poor, afflicted, and to die Am ready from my youthful years: Distracted and confus'd am I, While I endure thy horrid fears.

Verse 16

Thy fiery wrath goes over me; Thy terrors greatly me dismay;

Verse 17

As mighty floods encompass me, And rise all round me ev'ry day.

Verse 18

My lovers and my choicest friends, Thou hast from me removed far: And into darkness put away Those who my dear acquaintance were.