Psalm 22

Psalm 22

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Doe of the Dawn.”

1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.4 Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.5 They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.6 But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!7 Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,8 “Is this the one who relies on the LORD?
Then let the LORD save him!
If the LORD loves him so much,
let the LORD rescue him!”9 Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb
and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.10 I was thrust into your arms at my birth.
You have been my God from the moment I was born.11 Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
and no one else can help me.12 My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;
fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!13 Like lions they open their jaws against me,
roaring and tearing into their prey.14 My life is poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,
melting within me.15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.17 I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.18 They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dicet for my clothing.19 O LORD, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!20 Save me from the sword;
spare my precious life from these dogs.21 Snatch me from the lion’s jaws
and from the horns of these wild oxen.22 I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.t
I will praise you among your assembled people.23 Praise the LORD, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.25 I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.26 The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the LORD will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.27 The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.28 For royal power belongs to the LORD.
He rules all the nations.29 Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
Bow before him, all who are mortal,
all whose lives will end as dust.30 Our children will also serve him.
Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.31 His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done.

PSALMS 22

Suffering and Praise

1  t My God, my God, why have you
deserted me?
Why are you so far away?
Won't you listen to my groans
and come to my rescue?

2 I cry out day and night,
but you don't answer,
and I can never rest.

3 Yet you are the holy God,
ruling from your throne
and praised by Israel.

4  t Our ancestors trusted you,
and you rescued them.

5 When they cried out for help,
you saved them,
and you did not let them down
when they depended on you.

6 But I am merely a worm,
far less than human,
and I am hated and rejected
by people everywhere.

7  t Everyone who sees me
makes fun and sneers.
They shake their heads,

8  t and say, “Trust the [Lord]!
If you are his favorite,
let him protect you
and keep you safe.”

9 You, [Lord], brought me
safely through birth,
and you protected me
when I was a baby
at my mother's breast.

10 From the day I was born,
I have been in your care,
and from the time of my birth,
you have been my God.

11 Don't stay far off
when I am in trouble
with no one to help me.

12 Enemies are all around
like a herd of wild bulls.
Powerful bulls from Bashant
are everywhere.

13 My enemies are like lions
roaring and attacking
with jaws open wide.

14 I have no more strength
than a few drops of water.
All my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like melted wax.

15 My strength has dried up
like a broken clay pot,
and my tongue sticks
to the roof of my mouth.
You, God, have left me
to die in the dirt.

16 Brutal enemies attack me
like a pack of dogs,
tearing att my hands
and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones,
and my enemies just stare
and sneer at me.

18  t They took my clothes
and gambled for them.

19 Don't stay far away, [Lord]!
My strength comes from you,
so hurry and help.

20 Rescue me from enemy swords
and save me from those dogs.

21 Don't let lions eat me.
You rescued me from the horns
of wild bulls,

22  t and when your people meet,
I will praise you, [Lord].

23 All who worship the [Lord],
now praise him!
You belong to Jacob's family
and to the people of Israel,
so fear and honor the [Lord]!

24 The [Lord] doesn't hate
or despise the helpless
in all of their troubles.
When I cried out, he listened
and did not turn away.

25 When your people meet,
you will fill my heart
with your praises, [Lord],
and everyone will see me
keep my promises to you.

26 The poor will eat and be full,
and all who worship you
will be thankful
and live in hope.

27 Everyone on this earth
will remember you, [Lord].
People all over the world
will turn and worship you,

28 because you are in control,
the ruler of all nations.

29 All who are rich
and have more than enough
will bow down to you, Lord.
Even those who are dying
and almost in the grave
will come and bow down.

30 In the future, everyone
will worship and learn
about you, our Lord.

31 People not yet born
will be told,
“The Lord has saved us!”