This psalm is a difficult one. I debated with myself about even sharing it. But, the study notes helped.

PSALM 88. A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

Theme: When there is no relief in sight. God understands even our deepest misery.

Author: Heman, one of the sons of Korah (possibly the same man mentioned in 1 Chronicles 15:19; 16:41; 25:4, 5 as a musician and the king's seer)

https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/88.html

1 LORD, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you. 2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry. 3 I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength. 5 I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. 6 You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. 7 Your wrath lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. 8 You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape; 9 my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you. 10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you? 11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction ? 12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? 13 But I cry to you for help, LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 14 Why, LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me? 15 From my youth I have suffered and been close to death; I have borne your terrors and am in despair. 16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me. 17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. 18 You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend.

Study Notes:

88:1ff Have you ever felt as though you have hit bottom? The psalmist is so low that he even despairs of life itself. Although everything is bad and getting worse, he is able to tell it all to God. This is one of the few psalms that gives no answer or expression of hope. Don't think that you must always be cheerful and positive. Grief and depression take time to heal. No matter how low we feel, we can always take our problems to God and express our anguish to him.

88:13, 14 When writing this, the psalmist was close to death, perhaps debilitated by disease, and forsaken by friends. But he could still pray. Perhaps you are not so afflicted, but you know someone who is. Consider being a prayer companion for that person. This psalm can be a prayer you can lift to God on his or her behalf.

As I thought about this psalm, I remembered my affliction and my darkest time. I actually felt the prayers of others for me then. Today, and every day so far, my morning Bible Read time with God gives me a little snippet of true joy as I talk to him. Then, as I go throughout the day, I look for his work and try to capture it in my memory to recall that instant of joy later. I remember my Savior, Jesus Christ, who made these times with God possible.

My Savior, thank you for the true peace that you provide even in the darkness. Help us not get so wrapped up in the despair that we stop seeking you. Thank you for the memories of joy that we can recall. Thank you for the endurance you give to us day by day. In your holy name, Jesus Christ, Amen.

A Song (a favorite of my Mom): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tkkDbsxctn8

Have a blessed day.