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A Cry of Fear and a Song of Praise

22 My God, my God, why have You left me alone? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words I cry inside myself? O my God, I cry during the day, but You do not answer. I cry during the night, but I find no rest. Yet You are holy. The praises Israel gives You are Your throne. Our fathers trusted in You, and You saved them. They cried to You and were set free. They trusted in You and were not ashamed.

But I am a worm and not a man. I am put to shame by men, and am hated by the people. All who see me make fun of me. They open their mouths and shake their heads, and say, “He trusts in the Lord. Let the Lord help him. Let the Lord take him out of trouble, because he is happy in Him.”

But You brought me out when I was born. You made me trust when I drank my mother’s milk. 10 I was in Your care from birth. Since my mother gave birth to me, You have been my God.

11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near. And there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls have gathered all around me. Strong bulls of Bashan stand around me. 13 They open their mouths wide against me, like a loud, hungry lion. 14 I am poured out like water. And all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like a melted candle within me. 15 My strength is dried up like a piece of a broken clay pot. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. And You lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs have gathered around me. A group of sinful men stand around me. They have cut through my hands and feet. 17 I can tell how many bones I have. The people look at me with wide eyes. 18 They divide my clothes among them by drawing names to see who would get them.

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