Psalms 22:1-18 ▼

1 For the choir director: according to “The Deer of the Dawn.” A psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning?

2 My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, yet I have no rest.

3 But you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 Our ancestors trusted in you; they trusted, and you rescued them.

5 They cried to you and were set free; they trusted in you and were not disgraced.

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

7 Everyone who sees me mocks me; they sneer and shake their heads:

8 “He relies on the LORD; let him save him; let the LORD rescue him, since he takes pleasure in him.”

9 It was you who brought me out of the womb, making me secure at my mother’s breast.

10 I was given over to you at birth; you have been my God from my mother’s womb.

11 Don’t be far from me, because distress is near and there’s no one to help.

12 Many bulls surround me; strong ones of Bashan encircle me.

13 They open their mouths against me — lions, mauling and roaring.

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed; my heart is like wax, melting within me.

15 My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death.

16 For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones; people look and stare at me.

18 They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.