Psalm 22
To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, and are so far from my cry, and from the words of my complaint?
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not hear; in the night season also, but I find no rest.
But you remain holy, enthroned upon the praises of Israel.
Our fathers hoped in you; they trusted in you, and you delivered them.
They called upon you, and were delivered; they put their trust in you, and were not confounded.
But as for me, I am a worm, and no man, scorned by all, and the outcast of the people.
All those who see me laugh me to scorn; they curl their lips, and shake their heads, saying,
“He trusted in God, that he would deliver him; let him deliver him, if he will have him.”
But you are he that took me out of my mother’s womb; you were my hope, when I was yet upon my mother’s breasts.
I have been cast upon you ever since I was born; you are my God, even from my mother’s womb.
O go not far from me, for trouble is near at hand, and there is none to help me.
Many oxen have come around me; fat bulls of Bashan close me in on every side.
They gape at me with their mouths, like a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart also in the midst of my body is like melting wax.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my gums, and you bring me into the dust of death.
For many dogs have come about me, and the council of the wicked lays siege against me.
They pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones; they stand staring and looking upon me.
They part my garments among them, and casts lots for my clothing.
But be not far from me, O Lord. You are my succor; hasten to help me.
Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog.
Save me from the lion’s mouth, and my soul in misery from among the horns of wild oxen.
I will declare your Name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.
O praise the Lord, you that fear him; magnify him, all you seed of Jacob, and fear him, all you seed of Israel.
For he has not despised nor abhorred the low estate of the poor; he has not hidden his face from him, but when he called unto him, he heard him.
© Anglican Church in North America. Used by permission.