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Psalms 22

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1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? 2My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer; in the night season, and am not silent. 3But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel. 4Our fathers trusted in you. They trusted, and you delivered them. 5They cried to you, and were delivered. They trusted in you, and were not disappointed. 6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. 7All those who see me mock me. They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads, saying, 8“He trusts in Yahweh. Let him deliver him. Let him rescue him, since he delights in him.” 9But you brought me out of the womb. You made me trust while at my mother’s breasts. 10I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb. You are my God since my mother bore me. 11Don’t be far from me, for trouble is near. For there is no one to help. 12Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. 13They open their mouths wide against me, lions tearing prey and roaring. 14I am poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is melted within me. 15My strength is dried up like a potsherd. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have brought me into the dust of death. 16For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet. 17I can count all of my bones. They look and stare at me. 18They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing. 19But don’t be far off, Yahweh. You are my help: hurry to help me. 20Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. 21Save me from the lion’s mouth! Yes, from the horns of the wild oxen, you have answered me. 22I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the assembly, I will praise you. 23You who fear Yahweh, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him! Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel! 24For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, Neither has he hidden his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard. 25Of you comes my praise in the great assembly. I will pay my vows before those who fear him. 26The humble shall eat and be satisfied. They shall praise Yahweh who seek after him. Let your hearts live forever. 27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to Yahweh. All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you. 28For the kingdom is Yahweh’s. He is the ruler over the nations. 29All the rich ones of the earth shall eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him, even he who can’t keep his soul alive. 30Posterity shall serve him. Future generations shall be told about the Lord. 31They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born, for he has done it.

World English Bible (public domain)

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

Psalms 22:1

Summary

Psalm 22 opens with a poignant cry of lament, as David expresses deep anguish and a feeling of abandonment by God. This psalm begins with the words, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'—a plea for deliverance amid suffering. David details his distress and isolation, experiencing scorn and ridicule from those around him. Despite this, he recalls God's past faithfulness, finding some solace in the fact that God has delivered his ancestors. The chapter transitions into a profound request for help, highlighting the physical and emotional torment endured. As the psalm progresses, there is a notable shift from despair to hope and praise. David anticipates future deliverance and vows to declare God's name to his people. The psalm concludes with a vision of worship and reconciliation, where all nations and future generations will remember and turn to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and righteousness.

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Chapter outline

How Psalms 22 unfolds

  1. Psalm 22:1–2 A Cry of Abandonment

    David opens with a deep lament, feeling forsaken by God, as he cries out in both daytime and nighttime, seeking help.

  2. Psalm 22:3–5 Remembering God's Faithfulness

    Despite his anguish, David recalls God's holiness and the faith of his ancestors who were delivered when they trusted in Him.

  3. Psalm 22:6–8 Mockery and Isolation

    David expresses his humiliation, describing himself as a worm and detailing the scorn he faces from those around him.

  4. Psalm 22:9–11 Trust from Birth

    In a shift, David acknowledges God's role in his life since birth, pleading for God's presence amid his suffering.

  5. Psalm 22:12–18 Descriptive Suffering

    David vividly depicts his physical and emotional torment, using powerful imagery of being surrounded by threats and experiencing pain.

  6. Psalm 22:19–21 A Plea for Deliverance

    David urgently calls for God's help, asking for rescue from his dire situation, reaffirming his dependence on God.

  7. Psalm 22:22–31 A Vision of Praise

    The psalm concludes with David's commitment to praise God among his people and a future vision where nations will worship Him.

Key verses

  • Psalms 22:1The key verse encapsulates the psalm's essence, expressing deep anguish while highlighting a longing for divine presence.

Main themes in Psalms 22

lament

Lament is a central theme in Psalm 22, prominently featured in the opening verses where David expresses his anguish. The chapter illustrates the depth of his sorrow and sense of abandonment by God, creating a raw emotional landscape. This lamentation serves as a vehicle for David's ultimate transition from despair to hope and praise.

abandonment

Abandonment is vividly articulated in the first verse, where David feels forsaken by God during his time of need. The psalm delves into the intensity of this feeling through David's descriptions of isolation and scorn from others. Despite this sense of abandonment, the chapter shifts towards hope as David anticipates God's eventual deliverance.

faithfulness

Faithfulness emerges as David recalls the deliverance experienced by his ancestors, highlighted in verses 4 and 5. This remembrance of God's past actions provides a contrast to David's current suffering and encourages a sense of hope. The theme culminates in the later verses where David expresses confidence that future generations will recognize God's righteousness.

hope

Hope gradually develops throughout the psalm, particularly as David moves from despair to proclaiming his commitment to praise God among his people. In verses 22 to 31, this hope expands to encompass all nations, indicating a future recognition of God's sovereignty. Ultimately, the chapter invites readers to trust in God's faithfulness for deliverance.

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Cross-references

Passages that echo Psalms 22

Study questions

Questions for studying Psalms 22

  1. What emotional state does David express in verses 1 and 2?
  2. How does David's view of God shift throughout the psalm?
  3. What images does David use to describe his suffering in verses 12 to 18?
  4. In what ways does David recall God's past faithfulness in verses 3 to 5?
  5. What does David vow to do in verses 22 to 25, and why is this significant?
  6. How does the psalm's conclusion in verses 27 to 31 reflect a change in David's outlook?

Psalms 22: frequently asked questions

What is Psalms 22 about?+
Psalm 22 opens with a poignant cry of lament, as David expresses deep anguish and a feeling of abandonment by God. This psalm begins with the words, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'—a plea for deliverance amid suffering. David details his distress and isolation, experiencing scorn and ridicule from those around him. Despite this, he recalls God's past faithfulness, finding some solace in the fact that God has delivered his ancestors. The chapter transitions into a profound request for help, highlighting the physical and emotional torment endured. As the psalm progresses, there is a notable shift from despair to hope and praise. David anticipates future deliverance and vows to declare God's name to his people. The psalm concludes with a vision of worship and reconciliation, where all nations and future generations will remember and turn to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and righteousness.
What is the key verse in Psalms 22?+
Psalms 22:1: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?"
What are the main themes of Psalms 22?+
The main themes of Psalms 22 are lament, abandonment, faithfulness, hope.

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Study Notes

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