Psalm 22:1-11

Contemporary English Version

(A psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune “A Deer at Dawn.”)

Suffering and Praise

22 My God, my God, why have you
    deserted me?
    Why are you so far away?
Won’t you listen to my groans
    and come to my rescue?
²I cry out day and night,
but you don’t answer,
    and I can never rest.

³Yet you are the holy God,
ruling from your throne
    and praised by Israel.
⁴Our ancestors trusted you,
    and you rescued them.
⁵When they cried out for help,
    you saved them,
and you did not let them down
    when they depended on you.

⁶But I am merely a worm,
    far less than human,
    and I am hated and rejected
    by people everywhere.
⁷Everyone who sees me
    makes fun and sneers.
They shake their heads,
⁸    and say,
“Trust the Lord!
If you are his favorite,
    let him protect you
    and keep you safe.”

⁹You, Lord, brought me
    safely through birth,
and you protected me
    when I was a baby
    at my mother’s breast.
¹⁰From the day I was born,
    I have been in your care,
and from the time of my birth,
    you have been my God.