Saint of the day · May 22

¹ A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Suffering of Affliction.” A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. Yahweh, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you.

² Let my prayer enter into your presence. Turn your ear to my cry.

³ For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol.

⁴ I am counted among those who go down into the pit. I am like a man who has no help,

⁵ set apart among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more. They are cut off from your hand.

⁶ You have laid me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.

⁷ Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have afflicted me with all your waves. Selah.

⁸ You have taken my friends from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am confined, and I can’t escape.

⁹ My eyes are dim from grief. I have called on you daily, Yahweh. I have spread out my hands to you.

¹⁰ Do you show wonders to the dead? Do the departed spirits rise up and praise you? Selah.

¹¹ Is your loving kindness declared in the grave? Or your faithfulness in Destruction?

¹² Are your wonders made known in the dark? Or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

¹³ But to you, Yahweh, I have cried. In the morning, my prayer comes before you.

¹⁴ Yahweh, why do you reject my soul? Why do you hide your face from me?

¹⁵ I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. While I suffer your terrors, I am distracted.

¹⁶ Your fierce wrath has gone over me. Your terrors have cut me off.

¹⁷ They came around me like water all day long. They completely engulfed me.

¹⁸ You have put lover and friend far from me, and my friends into darkness.