^{1 Ref} 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 Ref} My prayer cometh in before Thee, Incline Thine ear to my loud cry,

^{3 Ref} For my soul hath been full of evils, And my life hath come to Sheol.

^{4 Ref} I have been reckoned with those going down `to' the pit, I have been as a man without strength.

^{5 Ref} Among 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 Ref} Thou hast put me in the lowest pit, In dark places, in depths.

^{7 Ref} Upon me hath Thy fury lain, And `with' all Thy breakers Thou hast afflicted. Selah.

^{8 Ref} Thou hast put mine acquaintance far from me, Thou hast made me an abomination to them, Shut up -- I go not forth.

^{9 Ref} Mine eye hath grieved because of affliction, I called Thee, O Jehovah, all the day, I have spread out unto Thee my hands.

^{10 Ref} To the dead dost Thou do wonders? Do Rephaim rise? do they thank Thee? Selah.

^{11 Ref} Is Thy kindness recounted in the grave? Thy faithfulness in destruction?

^{12 Ref} Are Thy wonders known in the darkness? And Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

^{13 Ref} And I, unto Thee, O Jehovah, I have cried, And in the morning doth my prayer come before Thee.

^{14 Ref} Why, O Jehovah, castest Thou off my soul? Thou hidest Thy face from me.

^{15 Ref} I `am' afflicted, and expiring from youth, I have borne Thy terrors -- I pine away.

^{16 Ref} Over me hath Thy wrath passed, Thy terrors have cut me off,

^{17 Ref} They have surrounded me as waters all the day, They have gone round against me together,

^{18 Ref} Thou hast put far from me lover and friend, Mine acquaintance `is' the place of darkness!