Introduction

This Psalm of David, is quoted in the Gospel records. It is applied to the sufferings of Jesus, his crucifixion and death.

Verses
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
2My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer;
in the night season, and am not silent.
3But you are holy,
you who inhabit the praises of Israel.
4Our fathers trusted in you.
They trusted, and you delivered them.
5They cried to you, and were delivered.
They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.
6But I am a worm, and no man;
a reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7All those who see me mock me.
They insult me with their lips. They shake their heads, saying,
8“He trusts in the LORD.
Let him deliver him.
Let him rescue him, since he delights in him.”
9But you brought me out of the womb.
You made me trust while at my mother’s breasts.
10I was thrown on you from my mother’s womb.
You are my God since my mother bore me.
11Don’t be far from me, for trouble is near.
For there is no one to help.
12Many bulls have surrounded me.
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
13They open their mouths wide against me,
lions tearing prey and roaring.
14I am poured out like water.
All my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax.
It is melted within me.
15My strength is dried up like a potsherd.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have brought me into the dust of death.
16For dogs have surrounded me.
A company of evildoers have enclosed me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
17I can count all of my bones.
They look and stare at me.
18They divide my garments amongst them.
They cast lots for my clothing.
 
19But don’t be far off, LORD.
You are my help. Hurry to help me!
20Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog.
21Save me from the lion’s mouth!
Yes, you have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen.
 
22I will declare your name to my brothers.
Amongst the assembly, I will praise you.
23You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him!
Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel!
24For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted,
Neither has he hidden his face from him;
but when he cried to him, he heard.
 
25My praise of you comes in the great assembly.
I will pay my vows before those who fear him.
26The humble shall eat and be satisfied.
They shall praise the LORD who seek after him.
Let your hearts live forever.
27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD.
All the relatives of the nations shall worship before you.
28For the kingdom is the LORD’s.
He is the ruler over the nations.
29All the rich ones of the earth shall eat and worship.
All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him,
even he who can’t keep his soul alive.
30Posterity shall serve him.
Future generations shall be told about the Lord.
31They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born,
for he has done it.

Questions

1. Why does David feel that God has forsaken him?

v 1 and 2 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?
My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer;
in the night season, and am not silent.

2. What are the results of trusting in God?

v 4 and 5 Our fathers trusted in you.
They trusted, and you delivered them.
They cried to you, and were delivered.
They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.

3. What does David say God has done for the afflicted?

v 24 For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted,
Neither has he hidden his face from him;
but when he cried to him, he heard.

Summary Points

  • v 1 and 2 David cries in despair, God is not answering him. The first of several verses in this Psalm quoted in the Gospels
  • v 3 to 8 God delivered his ancestors, yet he is being despised, people are mocking and taunting him
  • v 9 to 11  David knows that God has been with him all his life
  • v 12 to 21 David appears to be prophesying Jesus' sufferings on the cross
  • v 22 to 31 David calls on everyone to turn to the LORD and worship him. The LORD rules and this message will go to future generations

 Timeline 1050 BC

The audio version uses Yahweh instead of LORD. This reflects the original Hebrew language.

Audio