Psalm 22

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Doe of the Dawn.”

1My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Why are you so far away when I groan for help?

2Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.

Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.

3Yet you are holy,

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4Our ancestors trusted in you,

and you rescued them.

5They cried out to you and were saved.

They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

6But I am a worm and not a man.

I am scorned and despised by all!

7Everyone who sees me mocks me.

They sneer and shake their heads, saying,

8“Is this the one who relies on the Lord?

Then let the Lord save him!

If the Lord loves him so much,

let the Lord rescue him!”

9Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb

and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.

10I was thrust into your arms at my birth.

You have been my God from the moment I was born.

11Do not stay so far from me,

for trouble is near,

and no one else can help me.

12My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;

fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!

13Like lions they open their jaws against me,

roaring and tearing into their prey.

14My life is poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint.

My heart is like wax,

melting within me.

15My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.

You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.

16My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;

an evil gang closes in on me.

They have pierced* my hands and feet.

17I can count all my bones.

My enemies stare at me and gloat.

18They divide my garments among themselves

and throw dice* for my clothing.

19O Lord, do not stay far away!

You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!

20Save me from the sword;

spare my precious life from these dogs.

21Snatch me from the lion’s jaws

and from the horns of these wild oxen.