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Illustration for Psalm 22: My God, My God, Why?

Psalm 22

My God, My God, Why?

ComfortWhen AfraidPraise

This is a very special psalm that Jesus quoted on the cross. It starts with deep pain and feeling completely alone — but it ends with praise and hope! It shows us that even in the darkest times, God has not forgotten us.

  1. 1My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from my deliverance, so far from the words of my groaning?
  2. 2O my God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer— and by night, but I find no rest.
  3. 3Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
  4. 4Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You rescued them.
  5. 5They cried out to You and were set free; they trusted in You and were not put to shame.
  6. 6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
  7. 7All who see me mock me; they hurl insults and shake their heads:
  8. 8"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let the LORD deliver him, since He delights in him."
  9. 9Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me trust while at my mother's breast.
  10. 10I was cast upon You from birth; from my mother's womb You have been my God.
  11. 11Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
  12. 12Many bulls surround me; fierce bulls of Bashan encircle me.
  13. 13They open their mouths wide against me, like roaring and ravaging lions.
  14. 14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed; my heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
  15. 15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; You lay me in the dust of death.
  16. 16For dogs surround me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they have pierced my hands and my feet.
  17. 17I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
  18. 18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
  19. 19But You, O LORD, do not be far off. O my strength, come quickly to help me.
  20. 20Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.
  21. 21Rescue me from the mouth of the lion; You have answered me from the horns of the wild oxen.
  22. 22I will declare Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You.
  23. 23You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him! Revere Him, all you descendants of Israel!
  24. 24For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
  25. 25From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear You I will fulfill my vows.
  26. 26The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise Him— may your hearts live forever!
  27. 27All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him,
  28. 28for dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.
  29. 29All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him— those who cannot keep themselves alive.
  30. 30Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord.
  31. 31They will proclaim His righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

What it means

Even when we feel completely alone and wonder if God hears us, He does. Jesus quoted this psalm on the cross. God never turns away from those who cry out to Him — even in their darkest moment.

A little prayer

God, when I feel alone and wonder if You hear me, remind me that You have never abandoned anyone who calls on You. Help me to hold on even when things are hard. Amen.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)