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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.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The verse isn't just a raw expression of despair; it's a desperate wrestling match. By repeating "My God, my God," the Psalmist is clinging to his faith even as his soul cries out that God has abandoned him, showing how faith and despair can coexist in the deepest trials.

What Psalms 22 means

This psalm opens with a desperate cry from someone feeling utterly abandoned by God amidst intense suffering, contrasting their faith in God with the overwhelming sense of being left alone. The verses immediately following will detail the ongoing cries and the lack of any apparent answer, setting the stage for a deep lament. The language used, particularly the opening line, has profound significance as it would later be echoed by Jesus on the cross.

Faith's Cry in the Darkness

Have you ever felt utterly alone, crying out to God and feeling like your prayers hit a ceiling? This verse captures that raw human experience.

This opening cry, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?', is not a statement of lost faith, but a wrestling match. Notice the Psalmist calls God 'my God' twice. This isn't the cry of someone giving up; it's the desperate plea of someone who still believes God is their God, even when God's presence feels impossibly distant.

  • A Clash of Affections: It’s a powerful example of the internal battle many faithful people face. The 'flesh' (our human, emotional side) feels abandoned, seeing only darkness. But faith, even in its weakest moments, can still cling to God, calling Him 'my God.' This internal conflict is where true faith is often forged.
  • More Than Just Words: The 'words of my groaning' (or 'roaring') point to an intense, almost inexpressible suffering. It's not just a polite request; it's a deep, gut-wrenching cry from a soul in agony, yet still directed toward God.

The Prophetic Shadow of the Cross

These words echo down through history, becoming one of the most profound and painful utterances ever spoken. Who is this suffering servant?

This psalm is incredibly significant because Jesus Himself quoted the very first line on the cross: 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matthew 27:46). This reveals that Psalm 22 isn't just the cry of an ancient individual; it's a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's suffering.

  • Christ's Utterance: Jesus, in His human suffering, adopted these words, experiencing the full weight of God's abandonment as He bore the sins of the world. It wasn't that God actually forsook His Son, but that Jesus experienced the judicial separation from the Father required for our salvation.
  • Fulfillment of Scripture: The details in this psalm, like the piercing of hands and feet and the casting of lots for garments, are astonishingly specific. They point beyond David's personal struggles to the ultimate suffering servant, Jesus Christ, fulfilling ancient prophecy in vivid detail.

Understand the original words

Original language

My Godאֵלִי

Eli · Hebrew Noun

In Hebrew, God (Elohim) refers to the Supreme Being, the Creator and Judge. It conveys His power, authority, and sovereignty over all creation, and when used in personal possessive, signifies a covenant relationship.

forsakenעָזַבְתָּנִי

azavtani · Hebrew Verb

To leave, abandon, or desert. Biblically, it signifies a sense of being left without aid, protection, or the manifest presence of God, often felt by the believer during extreme suffering.

groaningשַׁאֲגָתִי

sha'agati · Hebrew Noun

An inarticulate cry of pain or distress. It represents the raw, internal lament of one suffering deeply and longing for God's intervention.

restדּוּמִיָּה

dumiyah · Hebrew Noun

A state of quiet, stillness, or pause. It represents both the physical need for relief from labor/suffering and the spiritual need for peace in the soul.

holyקָדוֹשׁ

qadosh · Hebrew Adjective

Separated, distinct, and set apart. It defines God's moral perfection, majesty, and absolute transcendence above all that is created, sinful, or profane.

enthronedיוֹשֵׁב

yoshev · Hebrew Verb

To sit or settle down. Biblically, it describes God's sovereign rule, majesty, and supreme governance over the heavens and earth.

trustedבָּטְחוּ

bat'chu · Hebrew Verb

To lean upon, rely on, or place confidence in. It implies a firm, secure commitment and dependence on God's character and promises, even when evidence of His intervention is not immediately visible.

deliveredפִּלַּטְתָּם

pillattam · Hebrew Verb

To rescue, save, or set free from danger, trouble, or oppression. It emphasizes God's active, saving power on behalf of His people who call upon Him.

put to shameהוֹבִישׁוּ

hovishu · Hebrew Verb

To be disgraced or humbled through disappointment. In a biblical context, it refers to the experience of being let down by someone or something trusted, an experience the faithful do not encounter when they rely on God.

wormתּוֹלַעַת

tola'ath · Hebrew Noun

A term used to express extreme humility, helplessness, and social insignificance, often depicting someone who is being trampled upon or treated with utter contempt.

manאִישׁ

ish · Hebrew Noun

A term referring to the human race or humanity in general, often emphasizing our status as creatures created by God, yet fallen and prone to sin.

LORDיְהוָה

YHWH · Hebrew Noun

The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people.

trustsבָּטַח

batach · Hebrew Verb

To rely completely upon God's character, promises, and power; it involves a relational commitment and firm confidence in the face of circumstances.

deliverנָצַל

natsal · Hebrew Verb

To set free or preserve from danger, distress, or enemies; it frequently describes God’s intervention on behalf of those who are weak or oppressed.

delightsחָפֵץ

chaphets · Hebrew Verb

To find great pleasure or favor in someone; in a theological sense, it often refers to God's sovereign choice and affectionate regard for His people.

wombבֶּטֶן

beten · Hebrew Noun

Refers to the place of origin and early development, emphasizing God's intimate involvement in the creation and formation of a human life before birth.

Godאֱלֹהִים

Elohim · Hebrew Noun

The divine being who is the object of worship, the source of life, and the covenant partner of the believer, demonstrating absolute authority and providential care.

troubleצָרָה

tsarah · Hebrew Noun

A state of distress, affliction, or tribulation that causes physical or emotional suffering; often used in Psalms to describe the plight of the righteous before God.

bullsפָּרִים

parim · Hebrew Noun

Large, powerful bovine animals often used in Scripture as metaphors for arrogant, oppressive, or destructive adversaries of the righteous.

Bashanבָּשָׁן

Bashan · Hebrew Proper Noun

A fertile region east of the Jordan known for its rich pastures and large livestock; used figuratively to represent formidable, well-fed, or prideful enemies.

lionאֲרִי

ari · Hebrew Noun

A predatory animal known for its strength, ferocity, and terrifying roar; frequently used in the Bible to symbolize aggressive persecutors or the devouring nature of death.

poured outשָׁפַךְ

shaphak · Hebrew Verb

A metaphor for complete loss of physical strength, stability, or control; suggesting a state of total vulnerability or death.

heartלֵבָב

lebab · Hebrew Noun

The vital organ representing the center of human intellect, will, emotions, and moral character; in Scripture, it is the seat of the soul's inner life.

potsherdחֶרֶשׂ

cheres · Hebrew Noun

A piece of broken pottery; used in the Bible to illustrate extreme dryness, fragility, and worthlessness, particularly in the context of human mortality.

deathמָוֶת

maveth · Hebrew Noun

The grave, the state of the dead, or the finality of human mortality; represents the ultimate humiliation and the end of earthly life.

dogsכֶּלֶב

keleb · Hebrew Noun

In ancient Near Eastern culture, dogs were often seen as scavenging, unclean, and vicious animals. Biblically, the term is used metaphorically to describe wicked enemies, Gentiles, or those outside the covenant community who act with hostility.

evildoersמְרֵעִים

mere'im · Hebrew Noun

A general term for those who perform acts of wickedness, break the law, or oppose God's righteous ones. It designates individuals or groups whose habitual lifestyle is contrary to the holiness of God.

bonesעֶצֶם

etsem · Hebrew Noun

A term referring to the physical remains of the body. In the Bible, bones are often associated with the strength, structural integrity, and vitality of the person; to have them counted suggests extreme emaciation, suffering, or the near-death state of the body.

garmentsבֶּגֶד

beged · Hebrew Noun

Articles of clothing or covering. Biblically, garments are significant symbols of identity, status, and protection; the dividing of garments signifies the total stripping away of a person's dignity and worldly possessions.

LORDיהוה

YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun

The covenant name for God, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His self-existence, faithfulness, and personal relationship with His people. It is the name through which God acts to save and deliver.

soulנֶפֶשׁ

nephesh · Hebrew Noun

The fundamental state of being or the inner person. It encompasses a person's life, will, emotions, and consciousness; it is the part of the human that is preserved by God and distinct from the physical body.

swordחֶרֶב

chereb · Hebrew Noun

A primary instrument of war and judgment. Biblically, it often represents lethal threat, violence, and the ultimate danger to physical life.

Saveיָשַׁע

yasha' · Hebrew Verb

To deliver from danger, distress, or judgment; biblically, it emphasizes God as the sole deliverer of His people.

lionאֲרִי

aryeh · Hebrew Noun

A predatory animal often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent aggressive enemies, death, or Satan himself seeking to devour God's people.

nameשֵׁם

shem · Hebrew Noun

The authoritative reputation, character, and manifest presence of God. To make it known is to bear witness to His nature and mighty works.

congregationקָהָל

qahal · Hebrew Noun

The assembly of God’s people gathered for worship, teaching, and communal life; it signifies the covenantal community of faith.

fearיָרֵא

yare' · Hebrew Verb

A reverent, trembling adoration of God. It is characterized by deep respect for His holiness, acknowledgment of His power, and obedience to His commands.

LORDיהוה

YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun

The proper name of the God of Israel, the self-existent Covenant-Keeper who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush.

glorifyכָּבַד

kabad · Hebrew Verb

To exalt, honor, and acknowledge the majesty and worthiness of God; it is the natural response of the creature to the Creator's glory.

afflictionעֳנִי

oni · Hebrew Noun

The state of being low, humbled, or suffering. Biblically, God is frequently depicted as the helper of those who are in this position.

faceפָּנִים

panim · Hebrew Noun

In theological terms, the 'face' of God represents His presence, favor, and attention; hiding it indicates withdrawal of blessing or judgment, while revealing it indicates salvation and grace.

vowsנֶדֶר

neder · Hebrew Noun

A solemn promise or commitment made to God, often in response to His deliverance, binding the believer to specific acts of thanksgiving or service.

afflictedעָנָו

anav · Hebrew Adjective/Noun

Refers to those who are bowed down, oppressed, or in a state of humbleness, often relying solely on God for their sustenance and deliverance. In Scripture, God promises to be the helper and provider for those in this state.

praiseהָלַל

halal · Hebrew Verb

The act of vocalizing adoration, honor, and thanksgiving to God for who He is and what He has done. It is an expression of joyful recognition of God's character and sovereign goodness.

LORDיְהוָה

YHWH · Hebrew Noun

The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His people. It is the name by which God is uniquely known and worshipped.

heartsלֵבָב

lebab · Hebrew Noun

The center of a person’s being, including the intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. In biblical usage, it is the seat of spiritual life and the place where God interacts with human consciousness.

nationsגּוֹי

goy · Hebrew Noun

Refers to the collective peoples, ethnic groups, or political entities outside of the covenant people of Israel. Scripture predicts that all nations will eventually acknowledge God's sovereignty.

worshipחָוָה

chawah · Hebrew Verb

To show reverence, submission, and adoration toward God through physical posture or spiritual attitude. It acknowledges God's supreme worthiness and the worshipper's complete dependence on Him.

kingshipמְלוּכָה

melukah · Hebrew Noun

The sovereign authority and dominion of God over all creation. It declares that God is the rightful Ruler and King of the universe, possessing absolute power and judicial authority.

dustעָפָר

aphar · Hebrew Noun

A condition of death or the grave; used in Scripture to represent the physical end of mortal life and the state of being buried in the earth.

Posterityזֶרַע

zera · Hebrew Noun

The descendants or subsequent generations of a person. It highlights the biblical theme of spiritual inheritance and the continuity of faith and worship across time.

proclaimנָגַד

nagad · Hebrew Verb

To announce, declare, or publish a message, often with a sense of urgency or formal proclamation. In a biblical context, it frequently refers to making known the acts or character of God to others.

righteousnessצְדָקָה

tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun

The quality of being morally right, just, and in accordance with God's law and standard. It refers to both God's upright character and the status He grants to believers through His saving acts.

peopleעַם

am · Hebrew Noun

A collective group of people, often used to refer to a nation, tribe, or the community of God's people. It emphasizes the communal aspect of those who are under God's covenant or care.

yet unbornעָשָׂה

yullad · Hebrew Verb/Participle

Refers to generations not yet born, highlighting the continuity of God's covenantal faithfulness across time. It implies that the message of God's work is intended to be passed down as a permanent legacy to future believers.

Historical context

Written
Likely composed during the United Monarchy of Israel, around the 10th century BC.
Author
Traditionally attributed to David, though some scholars suggest other authors or editors.
Location
Likely written from Jerusalem during David's reign.
Genre
Poetry (Lament); features parallelisms, where lines express similar thoughts using different words or phrases.

Key themes

  1. 01Divine abandonment, human cries
  2. 02Faith amid suffering
  3. 03God's distant help

Cross-references

Scholarly commentary

Psalms 22:1: "To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?"

(1) My God, my God. —Heb., Eli, Eli, lama azavtanî, where the Targum paraphrases sabbacthani, the form used by our Saviour on the cross. (See Notes, N. T. Comm., Matthew 27:46 ; Mark 15:34 .) The LXX. and Vulgate insert “look upon me.” (Comp. English Prayer Book version.) For the despairing tone comp. Psalm…

ellicott

Psalms 22:1-2: "<> My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?"

  1. My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou far from my help, and from the words of my roaring? 2. O my God! I cry in the day-time, [498] but thou hearest not: and in the night-season, and there is no silence to me.

  2. My God! The first verse contains two remarkable sentences, which, although apparently contrary to each other, are yet ever enterin…

calvin

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 22 mean?

The verse isn't just a raw expression of despair; it's a desperate wrestling match. By repeating "My God, my God," the Psalmist is clinging to his faith even as his soul cries out that God has abandoned him, showing how faith and despair can coexist in the deepest trials.

Explain the meaning of Psalms 22

This psalm opens with a desperate cry from someone feeling utterly abandoned by God amidst intense suffering, contrasting their faith in God with the overwhelming sense of being left alone. The verses immediately following will detail the ongoing cries and the lack of any apparent answer, setting the stage for a deep lament. The language used, particularly the opening line, has profound significance as it would later be echoed by Jesus on the cross.

What is the context of Psalms 22?

This psalm opens with a desperate cry from someone feeling utterly abandoned by God amidst intense suffering, contrasting their faith in God with the overwhelming sense of being left alone. The verses immediately following will detail the ongoing cries and the lack of any apparent answer, setting the stage for a deep lament. The language used, particularly the opening line, has profound significance as it would later be echoed by Jesus on the cross.

Breakdown of 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, enthrone…" — The verse isn't just a raw expression of despair; it's a desperate wrestling match. By repeating "My God, my God," the Psalmist is clinging to his faith even as his soul cries out that God has abando…

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Psalms 22 Meaning: The verse isn't just a raw expression of despair; it's a desperate wr… | Sola Bible App