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You cause those who know me to keep their distance;
you make me an appalling sight to them.
I am trapped and cannot get free.[a]
My eyes grow weak because of oppression.
I call out to you, O Lord, all day long;
I spread out my hands in prayer to you.[b]
10 Do you accomplish amazing things for the dead?
Do the departed spirits[c] rise up and give you thanks? (Selah)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 88:8 tn Heb “[I am] confined and I cannot go out.”
  2. Psalm 88:9 tn Heb “I spread out my hands to you.” Spreading out the hands toward God was a prayer gesture (see Exod 9:29, 33; 1 Kgs 8:22, 38; 2 Chr 6:12-13, 29; Ezra 9:15; Job 11:13; Isa 1:15). The words “in prayer” have been supplied in the translation to clarify this.
  3. Psalm 88:10 tn Heb “Rephaim,” a term that refers to those who occupy the land of the dead (see Isa 14:9; 26:14, 19).

You have taken from me my closest friends(A)
    and have made me repulsive to them.
I am confined(B) and cannot escape;(C)
    my eyes(D) are dim with grief.

I call(E) to you, Lord, every day;
    I spread out my hands(F) to you.
10 Do you show your wonders to the dead?
    Do their spirits rise up and praise you?(G)

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