Psalm 22 Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition

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◄ Psalm 22 ►

Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition

A Psalm of David

While this psalm is simply titled “A Psalm of David”, it deserves more of an introduction. It is unique in its revelation and insight into the thoughts and human suffering that our Savior, Jesus Christ, experienced as He hung on the cross, paying the price of our collective sins so that we, imperfect and sinful, could stand sinless and righteous in the eyes of a Holy God, His and our Heavenly Father, which could only be made possible by His cleansing and redemptive work on the cross of Calvary, borne out of His love for us, who could never have stood before a righteous and Holy God, apart from it. Several of the words uttered by our Lord while on that cross are found in this psalm, (e.g., v7, vv16-18), written about 1000 years before that event. David had known some harrowing and trying experiences, as he was pursued and persecuted by Saul and other enemies, but he had never experienced being forsaken by God, as expressed in verse 1 of Psalm 22.

1My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from My anguished prayer? 2O My God, I call day and night, but You do not answer, and I cannot rest. 3But You are holy, O You Who are the object of Israel’s praises. 4Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You rescued them. 5They cried unto You, and were rescued; they trusted in You, and were not disappointed. 6But I am a worm, and not a man; scorned by men, and despised by all men. 7All they who see Me mock Me; they sneer, they shake the head, saying, 8“He trusts in the LORD; let Him save Him, since He delights in Him.”

9But You are He Who took Me out of the womb; You made Me hope when I was upon My mother's breasts. 10I was cast upon You from birth; You are My God from My mother's womb. 11Be not far from Me; for trouble is near; and no one else can help. 12My foes surround Me like a herd of strong bulls. 13They open their mouths wide at Me like a ravening, roaring lion. 14I am poured out like water; all My bones are out of joint; My heart within Me is like melted wax. 15My strength is dried up like a piece of sunbaked clay and My tongue sticks to the roof of My mouth; and You have brought Me into the dust of death. 16My foes surround Me; like a pack of vicious dogs; they enclosed Me; they pierced My hands and My feet. 17I can count all My bones; the people stare at Me. 18They divide My garments among them, and cast lots for My vesture. 19But be not far from Me, O LORD; O My strength, hasten to help Me. 20Deliver My soul from the sword; My only One and from the power of wild dogs. 21Save Me from the lion's mouth; for You have rescued Me from the horns of the wild oxen.

22I will declare Your name unto My brothers and sisters; in the center of the congregation, I will praise You. 23Praise the LORD, all you who revere Him; and the descendants of Jacob, glorify and honor Him, all you of Israel. 24For He has regarded the afflictions of the oppressed; nor has He turnrd away from Him; but when He cried to Him for help, He responded. 25My praise shall be of You in the entire congregation; I will pay My vows before those that worship Him. 26The meek shall eat and be satisfied; those that seek Him shall praise the LORD; may their heart live forever. 27All the ends of the world shall remember and return to the LORD; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Him. 28For the kingdom is the LORD's; and He rules the nations. 29All the prosperous upon earth shall eat and worship; all they who cannot preserve his own soul and go down to the grave shall bow before Him. 30Our descendants shall serve Him; the coming generation shall be told of the LORD. 31They shall declare His righteous acts to a people who shall be born.