1 A Song, a Psalm, by sons of Korah, to the Overseer, `Concerning the Sickness of Afflictions.' -- An instruction, by Heman the Ezrahite. O Jehovah, God of my salvation, Daily I have cried, nightly before Thee,

2 M y prayer cometh in before Thee, Incline Thine ear to my loud cry,

3 F or my soul hath been full of evils, And my life hath come to Sheol.

4 I have been reckoned with those going down the pit, I have been as a man without strength.

5 A mong the dead -- free, As pierced ones lying in the grave, Whom Thou hast not remembered any more, Yea, they by Thy hand have been cut off.

6 T hou hast put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in depths.

7 U pon me hath Thy fury lain, And all Thy breakers Thou hast afflicted. Selah.

8 T hou hast put mine acquaintance far from me, Thou hast made me an abomination to them, Shut up -- I go not forth.

9 M ine eye hath grieved because of affliction, I called Thee, O Jehovah, all the day, I have spread out unto Thee my hands.

10 T o the dead dost Thou do wonders? Do Rephaim rise? do they thank Thee? Selah.

11 I s Thy kindness recounted in the grave? Thy faithfulness in destruction?

12 A re Thy wonders known in the darkness? And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

13 A nd I, unto Thee, O Jehovah, I have cried, And in the morning doth my prayer come before Thee.

14 W hy, O Jehovah, castest Thou off my soul? Thou hidest Thy face from me.

15 I afflicted, and expiring from youth, I have borne Thy terrors -- I pine away.

16 O ver me hath Thy wrath passed, Thy terrors have cut me off,

17 T hey have surrounded me as waters all the day, They have gone round against me together,

18 T hou hast put far from me lover and friend, Mine acquaintance the place of darkness!