It is higher ¹  than the heavens – what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol ²  – what can you know?

If ¹  I hope for the grave to be my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness,

Will ¹  it ²  go down to the barred gates ³  of death? Will ⁴  we descend ⁵  together into the dust?”

Have the gates of death been revealed to you? ¹  Have you seen the gates of deepest darkness? ² 

For no one remembers you in the realm of death, ¹  In Sheol who gives you thanks? ² 

you appoint them to rule over your creation; ¹  you have placed ²  everything under their authority, ³ 

The wicked are turned back and sent to Sheol; ¹  this is the destiny of ²  all the nations that ignore ³  God,

You will not abandon me ¹  to Sheol; ²  you will not allow your faithful follower ³  to see ⁴  the Pit. ⁵ 

But ¹  God will rescue ²  my life ³  from the power ⁴  of Sheol; certainly ⁵  he will pull me to safety. ⁶  (Selah)

A prayer of David. Listen ²  O Lord! Answer me! For I am oppressed and needy.

Make your servant ¹  glad, for to you, O Lord, I pray! ² 

Certainly ¹  O Lord, you are kind ²  and forgiving, and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you.

None can compare to you among the gods, O Lord! Your exploits are incomparable! ¹ 

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and merciful God. You are patient ¹  and demonstrate great loyal love and faithfulness. ² 

The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.

The Lord writes in the census book of the nations, ¹  “This one was born there.” ²  (Selah)

For my life ¹  is filled with troubles and I am ready to enter Sheol. ² 

If the Lord had not helped me, I would have laid down in the silence of death. ¹ 

The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death. ¹ 

If I were to ascend ¹  to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be. ²