Psalms 22:1-21

1My God! My God, why have you left me alone? Why is my help far away? I am crying out in great pain!

2My God! I call aloud to you for help every day, all day and all night! But you do not answer my prayers, so I cannot sleep.

3I know that you are the Holy God. You sit on your throne as king, and Israel's people praise you.

4Our ancestors trusted in you. When they trusted you, you saved them.

5They called aloud to you and you saved them. They trusted in you, and you did not disappoint them.

6People insult me. They think that I am worth nothing. It seems that I am only a worm, and I am not really a man.

7Everyone that sees me laughs at me. They laugh and they shake their heads.

8They say, ‘He should trust in the Lord! The Lord should save him. If the Lord is really happy with him, the Lord should rescue him.’

9Lord, you brought me safely to birth. You took care of me at my mother's breasts.

10From the day that I was born, I have always been in your care. You have been my God since my mother gave birth to me.

11So do not stay far from me now. Trouble is near to me, and there is nobody to help me.

12There is danger all round me, like the strong bulls of Bashan. I cannot move because my enemies are very near, all around me.

13They open their mouths like lions! They are ready to eat me! They are like lions that tear their food into pieces.

14My strength has gone, like water that is poured away. My bones do not join together properly. I feel weak inside and hope has disappeared.

15My mouth has become dry like a piece of a broken pot. My tongue sticks to my mouth. You have left me down in the dirt, as good as dead!

16Wicked people are everywhere around me. They are ready to attack me, like a group of wild dogs. They tear apart my hands and my feet.

17My body is so weak I can count all my bones. My enemies look at me and they laugh. They are happy because I have pain.

18They have taken my clothes, and they choose what they want for themselves. They throw dice to decide who receives each piece.

19But Lord, please do not stay far away from me! You can make me strong again. Please hurry to help me!

20Keep me safe! My enemies want to kill me with their swords. Save my life from those wild dogs!

21Do not let those lions eat me! Keep me safe from the horns of those wild bulls! I know that you have answered my prayer!