Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility

To the leader: according to The Deer of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

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

Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

2O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;

and by night, but find no rest.

3Yet you are holy,

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4In you our ancestors trusted;

they trusted, and you delivered them.

5To you they cried, and were saved;

in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.

6But I am a worm, and not human;

scorned by others, and despised by the people.

7All who see me mock at me;

they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;

8‘Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver—

let him rescue the one in whom he delights!’

9Yet it was you who took me from the womb;

you kept me safe on my mother's breast.

10On you I was cast from my birth,

and since my mother bore me you have been my God.

11Do not be far from me,

for trouble is near

and there is no one to help.

12Many bulls encircle me,

strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

13they open wide their mouths at me,

like a ravening and roaring lion.

14I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint;

my heart is like wax;

it is melted within my breast;

15my mouth22.15 Cn: Heb strength is dried up like a potsherd,

and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

you lay me in the dust of death.

16For dogs are all around me;

a company of evildoers encircles me.

My hands and feet have shrivelled;22.16 Meaning of Heb uncertain

17I can count all my bones.

They stare and gloat over me;

18they divide my clothes among themselves,

and for my clothing they cast lots.

19But you, O LORD, do not be far away!

O my help, come quickly to my aid!

20Deliver my soul from the sword,

my life22.20 Heb my only one from the power of the dog!

21Save me from the mouth of the lion!

From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued22.21 Heb answered me.

22I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;22.22 Or kindred

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

23You who fear the LORD, praise him!

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;

stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

24For he did not despise or abhor

the affliction of the afflicted;

he did not hide his face from me,22.24 Heb him

but heard when I22.24 Heb he cried to him.

25From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

my vows I will pay before those who fear him.

26The poor22.26 Or afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek him shall praise the LORD.

May your hearts live for ever!

27All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the LORD;

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before him.22.27 Gk Syr Jerome: Heb you

28For dominion belongs to the LORD,

and he rules over the nations.

29To him,22.29 Cn: Heb They have eaten and indeed, shall all who sleep in22.29 Cn: Heb all the fat ones the earth bow down;

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

and I shall live for him.22.29 Compare Gk Syr Vg: Heb and he who cannot keep himself alive

30Posterity will serve him;

future generations will be told about the Lord,

31and22.31 Compare Gk: Heb it will be told about the Lord to the generation, 31 they will come and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,

saying that he has done it.