Psalm 22

My God, my God, why have you

forsaken me? And why are you so far from

helping me from the words of my groaning?

Oh my God, I cry by day, but you do not

answer; and by night I call, but get no respite.

And yet you are enthroned in holiness, you

are He whose praises Israel sings. In you

our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you

rescued them. They called to you for help

and they were saved; they never trusted you in vain.

Yet here am I, now more worm than man,

abused by all men and scorned by the people.

All who see me jeer at me; they

sneer, they jeer at me and toss their heads

"He relied on God, let God save him! If God

is his friend, let God rescue him!"

Yet you brought me here to this world, you

entrusted me to my mother's breasts; upon

you was I cast from my birth, and since my

mother bore me you have been my God.

O God, be not far from me, for trouble is near

and I have no helper.

A herd of bulls surrounds me, strong bulls of

Bashan close in on me; they open wide their

mouths at me like a ravening and roaring lion.

My strength drains away like water and all my

bones are loose: my heart has turned in wax

and melts within me; my mouth is dry as a

postherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaw.

A pack of ruffians surrounds me, a gang of

villains closes me in; they tie me hand and

foot and leave me lying in the dust of death.

I feel pains in every one of my bones while

they stare and gloat overme; they divide my

garments among them and cast lots for my clothes.

My King and God, hear the sound of my cry,

when I call to you for help; spare a thought for my sighs!

Preserve my life and save your servant who trusts in you!

Consider my afflictions and forgive all my sins,

for no man living is righteous before you.

Deliver me from evil men who always stir up wars!

O give my eyes light or I shall sleep in death

and all my foes will say: "We have beaten him!" and all my

oppressors will have the joy of seeing me stumble!

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Will you forget me forever?

My God and Lord why have you forsaken me?

Why, My God, why?