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Psalms 22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.

To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.

On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.

Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;

my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—

I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me;

they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!

Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.

For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.

Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Psalms 22

Psalm 22 is a lament and praise expressing profound abandonment yet culminating in radical trust and cosmic praise of God, exemplifying the theological concerns of Book 1. The psalmist employs vivid imagery and direct address to God, establishing the intimate dialogue between worshiper and the divine that characterizes the psalmic tradition. The theological assertions center on God's character as both judge and redeemer, creating a comprehensive vision of divine justice and mercy integrated with human experience. The psalm reflects on both personal circumstance and communal identity, suggesting that individual faith finds validation through shared experience with the covenant community. The liturgical context indicates this psalm's function in worship where personal piety integrates with communal celebration of God's acts and attributes. The concluding movement typically affirms confidence in God's faithfulness, exemplifying the psalmic pattern of transformation through prayer and remembrance of divine acts throughout history.

Psalms 22:1

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:2

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:3

The affirmation that You are holy and dwell in the praises of Israel establishes God's holiness and the connection to God through worship. The holiness suggests God's transcendent moral perfection. The dwelling in praises suggests God's presence in the community's worship. This verse juxtaposes God's holiness with the speaker's distress, establishing the paradox central to the lament.

Psalms 22:4

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:5

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:6

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:7

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:8

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:9

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:10

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:11

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:12

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:13

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:14

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:15

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:16

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:17

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:18

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:19

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:20

The statement that enemies divide the speaker's garments among them and cast lots for clothing establishes complete humiliation in death. The division of garments suggests stripping of all possessions and dignity. The casting of lots suggests the speaker's clothing becomes object of gambling. This verse depicts humiliation extending even to death.

Psalms 22:21

The plea but You, O Lord, do not be far off; O my strength, come quickly to help me shifts to urgent petition for divine rescue. The addressing of God as strength appeals to God's power. The urgency of quickly emphasizes the imminence of death. This verse transitions from lament to petition for aid.

Psalms 22:22

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:23

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:24

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:25

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:26

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:27

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:28

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:29

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:30

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.

Psalms 22:31

This verse develops the psalm's theological themes of covenant relationship, divine justice, moral responsibility, and the dynamics of faith. It articulates the speaker's experience and invites engagement with fundamental questions about God's character, providence, and the appropriate human response to divine revelation in creation, law, and history. The verse situates particular human experience within the larger framework of God's redemptive purposes and universal sovereignty.