Psalms 22

1 My God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], my God, why have You [completely] forsaken [abandoned, deserted] me? Why are You so far [distant, removed] from saving [helping, rescuing] me, so far from my words [cries, groanings] of groaning [roaring, deep sorrow]? word study 2 I cry out [with a loud voice, in distress] by day, O my God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], but You do not answer [or hear my plea], and by night [in the darkness, during my troubles], but I have no rest [or peace, am not silent]. word study 3 Yet You are [set apart, uniquely] holy [having God’s nature], enthroned [seated, dwelling] on the praises [worship, songs of adoration] of Israel [God’s chosen people]. word study 4 In You [our Rock, our Savior] our fathers [ancestors, forefathers] trusted [had faith, put confidence]; they trusted [relied, depended] and You [the Deliverer, the Rescuer] delivered [rescued, saved] them. word study 5 They cried out [with urgent need, for help] to You [the Almighty, their Savior] and were set free [delivered, rescued]; they trusted [put their faith, had confidence] in You and were not disappointed [put to shame, confounded, defeated]. word study 6 But I am [a lowly, insignificant] a worm [a creature of no value, despised] and not a man [no longer considered human, without dignity], scorned [rejected, ridiculed] by men [people, humanity] and despised [looked down on, treated with contempt] by the people [the crowd, the multitude]. word study 7 All who see me [behold, observe, gaze at] mock me [laugh to scorn, deride, scoff at]; they sneer [shoot out the lip, show contempt] and shake their heads [in disdain, saying]: word study 8 “He trusts [commits himself, has faith] in the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], let the LORD [the sovereign Lord] deliver him; let the LORD [the Redeemer] rescue him, since He delights [takes pleasure, has affection] in him.” word study 9 Yet You [the Lord] brought me forth [took me out, drew me] from the womb [birth, the place of origin]; You made me secure [causing me to trust, giving me hope] at my mother’s breast [nursing, being nourished]. word study 10 From [the moment of] birth I was cast [entrusted, thrown] upon You; from my mother’s [belly] womb [the place of fetal development, the seat of emotions] You have been my God [the supreme Creator, my Savior]. word study 11 Be not far [distant, absent] from me, for trouble [adversity, distress] is near [close by, at hand] and there is no one [none, no helper] to help [assist, rescue]. word study 12 Many [strong, fierce] bulls [like a herd, enemies] surround me; strong [mighty, powerful] bulls of Bashan [a region known for its fertility and strength] encircle [beset, compass] me. word study 13 They open [gape upon, wide open like a ravening lion] their jaws [mouths] against me like [as a ramping and] lions [young bulls, mighty ones] that roar [tearing and roaring] and maul [tear to pieces]. word study 14 I am poured out [like water flowing away, completely exhausted] like water, and all my bones are [out of joint, loose, separated] disjointed. My heart is [soft and melted] like wax; it [is molten] melts away within me. word study 15 My strength [inner power, vitality] is dried up like a potsherd [a broken piece of clay, earthen vessel], and my tongue [the instrument of speech, expression] sticks to the roof of my mouth [is cleaving to my jaws]. You lay me in the dust [midst of death, a place of mortality] of death [the end of life, separation from God]. word study 16 For dogs [wild, savage beasts] surround me; a band [company, assembly] of evil men [wicked, ungodly individuals] encircles me; they have pierced [penetrated, wounded] my hands and feet [causing extreme pain and suffering]. word study 17 I can count [number and see] all my bones [every part of my body]; they stare [look and gaze] and gloat [look upon with contempt] over me [at my suffering]. word study 18 They [the group of men] divide [apportion, share among themselves] my garments [clothing, robes] among them [themselves] and cast [roll, throw] lots [by chance, with dice] for my clothing [vesture, apparel]. word study 19 But You, O LORD [the Eternal One, Yehovah], be not far off [do not stay distant]; O my Strength [my Succor, my Power], come quickly [hasten, hurry] to help [assist, rescue] me. word study 20 Deliver [rescue, save] my soul [my precious life, my being] from the sword [death, destruction], my precious life [darling, only one] from the power [control, strength] of wild dogs [fierce animals, enemies]. word study 21 Save me [rescue, deliver] from the mouth [jaws, power] of the lion; at the horns [strength, power] of the wild oxen [cruel, fierce beasts] You have answered [heard, responded to] me [my soul, my inner being]! word study 22 I will proclaim [declare, tell of] Your name [Your character, reputation] to my brothers; I will praise [give thanks, sing] You in the assembly [congregation, gathering of people, midst of the congregation]. word study 23 You who [reverently worship, have an awesome respect for] fear the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], praise [glorify, magnify] Him! All descendants [seed, offspring] of Jacob, honor [glorify, magnify] Him! All offspring [seed, children] of Israel, revere [stand in awe of, fear] Him! word study 24 For He has not despised [abhorred, rejected] or detested [ignored, scorned] the torment [affliction, suffering] of the afflicted [those who are troubled, oppressed]. He has not hidden [turned away, concealed] His face [presence, countenance] from him, but has attended to [listened to, heard] his cry [plea, prayer] for help [assistance, rescue]. word study 25 My praise [worship, adoration] for You [the Almighty, my Savior] resounds [echoes, is proclaimed] in the great assembly [large gathering, congregation]; I will fulfill [keep, complete] my vows [promises, commitments] before [in the presence of] those who fear [reverence, honor] You [the Lord, my God]. word study 26 The poor [meek, humble] will eat and be satisfied [have a feast of good things]; those who seek [make search for, come to] the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] will praise [give, offer] Him [with praise, in worship]. May your hearts [your inner being, spirit] live [have life, be nourished] forever [for ever, eternally]! word study 27 All the ends [remote areas, farthest parts] of the earth [the world, all nations] will remember [think about, recall] and turn [repent, return] to the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God]. All the families [kindreds, clans] of the nations [Gentiles, non-Jewish peoples] will bow down [worship, prostrate themselves] before Him [in reverence, with humility]. word study 28 For dominion [kingly power, sovereign rule] belongs to the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] and He rules [governs, has authority] over the nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples, all countries]. word study 29 All the rich [prosperous, fat ones] of the earth will feast [eat] and worship [bow down, give reverence]; all who go down [descend] to the dust [the grave] will kneel [bow] before Him [the Lord]— even those [anyone] unable [cannot] to preserve [keep alive] their lives [souls]. word study 30 Posterity [future generations, descendants] will serve [worship, obey] Him; they will declare [tell, proclaim] the Lord [the Eternal One] to [inform, teach] a new [next, succeeding] generation [those to come, offspring]. word study 31 They will come [from future generations, not yet born] and proclaim [declare, tell, make known] His [the Lord’s, Adonay] righteousness [justice, faithfulness, integrity] to a people [a generation, those who shall be] yet unborn [to be born, in the future]— all [everything, that which] that He [the Lord] has done [accomplished, completed, made]. word study