Psalms 22:1-21

1For the music director, on “The Doe of the Dawn,” a psalm of David.

2My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Distant from my salvation are the words of my groaning.

3O my God, I cried out by day, but You did not answer, by night, but there was no rest for me.

4Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

5In You our fathers put their trust. They trusted, and You delivered them.

6They cried to you and were delivered. In You they trusted, and were not disappointed.

7Am I a worm, and not a man? Am I a scorn of men, despised by people?

8All who see me mock me. They curl their lips, shaking their heads:

9“Rely on Adonai! Let Him deliver him! Let Him rescue him— since he delights in Him!”

10Yet You brought me out of the womb, made me secure at my mother’s breasts.

11From the womb I was cast on You— from my mother’s womb You have been my God.

12Be not far from me! For trouble is near— there is no one to help.

13Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan encircled me.

14They open wide their mouths against me, like a tearing, roaring lion.

15I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax— melting within my innards.

16My strength is dried up like a clay pot, my tongue clings to my jaws. You lay me in the dust of death.

17For dogs have surrounded me. A band of evildoers has closed in on me. They pierced my hands and my feet.

18I can count all my bones. They stare, they gape at me.

19They divide my clothes among them, and cast lots for my garment.

20But You, Adonai, be not far off! O my strength! Come quickly to my aid!

21Deliver my soul from the sword— my only one from the power of the dog.