Psalms 22
Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility
To the leader: according to The Deer of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
2O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.
3Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5To you they cried, and were saved;
in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
6But I am a worm, and not human;
scorned by others, and despised by the people.
7All who see me mock at me;
they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
8‘Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver—
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!’
9Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
you kept me safe on my mother's breast.
10On you I was cast from my birth,
and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
11Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
12Many bulls encircle me,
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15my mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Notes for verses 14–151 entry
Text notes
Psalms 22:15 Cn: Heb strength View in passage
16For dogs are all around me;
a company of evildoers encircles me.
My hands and feet have shrivelled;
17I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
18they divide my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
Notes for verses 16–181 entry
Text notes
Psalms 22:16 Meaning of Heb uncertain View in passage
19But you, O LORD, do not be far away!
O my help, come quickly to my aid!
20Deliver my soul from the sword,
my life from the power of the dog!
21Save me from the mouth of the lion!
Notes for verses 19–211 entry
Text notes
Psalms 22:20 Heb my only one View in passage
From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.
22I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24For he did not despise or abhor
the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
but heard when I cried to him.
Notes for verses 21–244 entries
Text notes
Psalms 22:21 Heb answered View in passage
Psalms 22:22 Or kindred View in passage
Psalms 22:24 Heb him View in passage
Psalms 22:24 Heb he View in passage
25From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
26The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD.
May your hearts live for ever!
Notes for verses 25–261 entry
Text notes
Psalms 22:26 Or afflicted View in passage
27All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
28For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.
Notes for verses 27–281 entry
Text notes
Psalms 22:27 Gk Syr Jerome: Heb you View in passage
29To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.
30Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord,
31and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
saying that he has done it.
Notes for verses 29–314 entries
Text notes
Psalms 22:29 Cn: Heb They have eaten and View in passage
Psalms 22:29 Cn: Heb all the fat ones View in passage
Psalms 22:29 Compare Gk Syr Vg: Heb and he who cannot keep himself alive View in passage
Psalms 22:31 Compare Gk: Heb it will be told about the Lord to the generation, 31 they will come and View in passage