Psalm 22:1

Translations

Modern

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?

Traditional

To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Literal

For the one directing. According to “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me, far away from my salvation, from the words of my roaring?

Latin

In finem, pro susceptione matutina. Psalmus David. Deus, Deus meus, respice in me: quare me dereliquisti? longe a salute mea verba delictorum meorum.

Original

Hebrew

English

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?

Notes

Psalms 22:1–2

The psalmist feels deeply separated from God (see Psalm 10:1).

Psalms 22:1–21

The psalmist switches between thinking about his current difficult situation and remembering the Lord's past faithfulness. He ends the psalm with a prayer for rescue.

Psalms 22:1–31

All previous laments seem minor compared to this outcry against the enemy and God's abandonment. The psalm has two main sections:

the lament (Psalm 22:1–21) and
praise for redemption (Psalm 22:22–31).

This naturally leads to Psalm 23.

The apostles saw this psalm as expressing the sufferings of Jesus Christ. He ultimately fulfilled the purpose of David's humiliation, rejection by people, and divine abandonment (Matthew 27:35, 39, 43, 46; Mark 15:34; John 19:23–24, 28; Hebrews 2:12).

Psalms 20:1–24:10

This series of psalms shows a journey from confidence and commitment (Psalms 20–21), through anguish and abandonment (Psalm 22), and finally to comfort, insight, and hope (Psalms 23–24).

Theme notes and profiles

David Psalms of Suffering Questions and Doubt The Poor and Needy in the Psalms

Related verses

Mark 15:34
At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Matthew 27:46
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Hebrews 5:7
During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
Psalm 22:16
For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.
Job 3:24
I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water.
Luke 24:44
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
Psalm 43:1–5
Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.
Psalm 10:1
Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
Psalm 31:14–16
But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”
Psalm 22:11
Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
1 Samuel 12:22
Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.

Parallels

Matthew 27:32–56 Mark 15:21–41 Luke 23:26–43 John 19:16–30

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Aijeleth Shahar Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Confession David Eli, Eli, Lema Sabachthani? Messiah Music Psalms, Book of Seven Last Sayings of Jesus

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Despondency In Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Aijeleth Shahar Aijeleth Shahar: Title David: King of Israel David: King of Israel: Devoutness of Jesus, the Christ: Death of Lama Sabachthani: See Persecution of Jesus Praise for God's Attributes Praise for God's Goodness to Individuals Prayer: Answer To, Delayed Prayer: Importunity In Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Being Forsaken by God Psalms: Afflictions Psalms: Prophetic Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament From, and To, the Old Testament

Psalm 22:1

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