22:1   My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I have cried desperately for help, but still it does not come.

22:2   During the day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer; I call at night, but get no rest.

22:3   But you are enthroned as the Holy One, the one whom Israel praises.

22:4   Our ancestors put their trust in you; they trusted you, and you saved them.

22:5   They called to you and escaped from danger; they trusted you and were not disappointed.

22:6   But I am no longer a human being; I am a worm, despised and scorned by everyone!

22:7   All who see me make fun of me; they stick out their tongues and shake their heads.

22:8   "You relied on the LORD," they say. "Why doesn't he save you? If the LORD likes you, why doesn't he help you?"

22:9   It was you who brought me safely through birth, and when I was a baby, you kept me safe.

22:10   I have relied on you since the day I was born, and you have always been my God.

22:11   Do not stay away from me! Trouble is near, and there is no one to help.

22:12   Many enemies surround me like bulls; they are all around me, like fierce bulls from the land of Bashan.

22:13   They open their mouths like lions, roaring and tearing at me.

22:14   My strength is gone, gone like water spilled on the ground. All my bones are out of joint; my heart is like melted wax.

22:15   My throat is as dry as dust, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have left me for dead in the dust.

22:16   An evil gang is around me; like a pack of dogs they close in on me; they tear at my hands and feet.

22:17   All my bones can be seen. My enemies look at me and stare.

22:18   They gamble for my clothes and divide them among themselves.

22:19   O LORD, don't stay away from me! Come quickly to my rescue!

22:20   Save me from the sword; save my life from these dogs.

22:21   Rescue me from these lions; I am helpless before these wild bulls.

22:22   I will tell my people what you have done; I will praise you in their assembly:

22:23   "Praise him, you servants of the LORD! Honor him, you descendants of Jacob! Worship him, you people of Israel!

22:24   He does not neglect the poor or ignore their suffering; he does not turn away from them, but answers when they call for help."

22:25   In the full assembly I will praise you for what you have done; in the presence of those who worship you I will offer the sacrifices I promised.

22:26   The poor will eat as much as they want; those who come to the LORD will praise him. May they prosper forever!

22:27   All nations will remember the LORD. From every part of the world they will turn to him; all races will worship him.

22:28   The LORD is king, and he rules the nations.

22:29   All proud people will bow down to him; all mortals will bow down before him.

22:30   Future generations will serve him; they will speak of the Lord to the coming generation.

22:31   People not yet born will be told: "The Lord saved his people."