Psalm 22

Words: The Scottish Psalter

Common Metre Tunes

To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar,
A Psalm of David.

   1  My God, my God, why hast thou me
         forsaken? why so far
      Art thou from helping me, and from
         my words that roaring are?
   2  All day, my God, to thee I cry,
         yet am not heard by thee;
      And in the season of the night
         I cannot silent be.
   3  But thou art holy, thou that dost
         inhabit Isr'el's praise.
   4  Our fathers hoped in thee, they hoped
         and thou didst them release.
   5  When unto thee they sent their cry,
         to them deliv'rance came:
      Because they put their trust in thee,
         they were not put to shame.
   6  But as for me, a worm I am,
         and as no man am prized:
      Reproach of men I am, and by
         the people am despised.
   7  All that me see laugh me to scorn;
         shoot out the lip do they;
      They nod and shake their heads at me,
         and, mocking, thus do say,
   8  This man did trust in God, that he
         would free him by his might:
      Let him deliver him, sith he
         had in him such delight.
   9  But thou art he out of the womb
         that didst me safely take;
      When I was on my mother's breasts
         thou me to hope didst make.
  10  And I was cast upon thy care,
         ev'n from the womb till now;
      And from my mother's belly, Lord,
         my God and guide art thou.
  11  Be not far off, for grief is near,
         and none to help is found.
  12  Bulls many compass me, strong bulls
         of Bashan me surround.
  13  Their mouths they opened wide on me,
         upon me gape did they,
      Like to a lion ravening
         and roaring for his prey.
  14  Like water I'm poured out, my bones
         all out of joint do part:
      Amidst my bowels, as the wax,
         so melted is my heart.
  15  My strength is like a potsherd dried;
         my tongue it cleaveth fast
      Unto my jaws; and to the dust
         of death thou brought me hast.
  16  For dogs have compassed me about:
         the wicked, that did meet
      In their assembly, me enclosed;
         they pierced my hands and feet.
  17  I all my bones may tell; they do
         upon me look and stare.
  18  Upon my vesture lots they cast,
         and clothes among them share.
  19  But be not far, O Lord, my strength;
         haste to give help to me.
  20  From sword my soul, from pow'r of dogs
         my darling set thou free.
  21  Out of the roaring lion's mouth
         do thou me shield and save:
      For from the horns of unicorns
         an ear to me thou gave.
  22  I will show forth thy name unto
         those that my brethren are;
      Amidst the congregation
         thy praise I will declare.
  23  Praise ye the Lord, who do him fear;
         him glorify all ye
      The seed of Jacob: fear him all
         that Isr'el's children be.
  24  For he despised not nor abhorred
         th' afflicted's misery;
      Nor from him hid his face, but heard
         when he to him did cry.
  25  Within the congregation great
         my praise shall be of thee;
      My vows before them that him fear
         shall be performed by me.
  26  The meek shall eat, and shall be filled;
         they also praise shall give
      Unto the Lord that do him seek:
         your heart shall ever live.
  27  All ends of th' earth remember shall,
         and turn the Lord unto;
      All kindreds of the nations
         to him shall homage do:
  28  Because the kingdom to the Lord
         doth appertain as his;
      Likewise among the nations
         the Governor he is.
  29  Earth's fat ones eat, and worship shall:
         all who to dust descend
      Shall bow to him; none of them can
         his soul from death defend.
  30  A seed shall service do to him;
         unto the Lord it shall
      Be for a generation
         reckonrd in ages all.
  31  They shall come, and they shall declare
         his truth and righteousness
      Unto a people yet unborn,
         and that he hath done this.


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