Psalm 22
Words: Brady and Tate, A New Version of the Psalms of David
1 My God, my God, why leav'st thou me
when I with anguish faint?
O why so far from me removed,
and from my loud complaint?
2 All day, but all the day unheard,
to thee do I complain;
With cries implore relief all night,
but cry all night in vain.
3 Yet thou art still the righteous judge
of innocence oppressed;
And therefore Israel's praises are
of right to thee addressed.
4,5 On thee our ancestors relied,
and thy deliv'rance found;
With pious confidence they prayed,
and with success were crowned.
6 But I am treated like a worm,
like none of human birth;
Not only by the great reviled,
but made the rabble's mirth.
7 With laughter all the gazing crowd
my agonies survey;
They shoot the lip, they shake the head,
and thus deriding say:
8 "In God he trusted, boasting oft
that he was Heav'n's delight;
"Let God come down to save him now,
and own his favorite."
The Second Part.
9 Thou mad'st my teeming mother's womb
a living offspring bear;
When but a suckling at the breast
I was thy early care.
10 Thou, guardian-like, didst shield from wrongs
my helpless infant days;
And since hast been my God and guide
through life's bewildered ways.
11 Withdraw not then so far from me,
when trouble is so nigh;
O send me help! thy help, on which
I only can rely.
12 High pampered bulls, a frowning herd,
from Basan's forest met,
With strength proportioned to their rage,
have me around beset.
13 They gape on me, and ev'ry mouth
a yawning grave appears;
The desert lion's savage roar
less dreadful is than theirs.
The Third Part.
14 My blood like water's spilled, my joints
are racked and out of frame;
My heart dissolves within my breast,
like wax before the flame;
15 My strength like potter's earth is parched,
my tongue cleaves to my jaws;
And to the silent shades of death
my fainting soul withdraws.
16 Like blood-hounds, to surround me,
they in packed assemblies meet;
They pierced my inoffensive hands,
they pierced my harmless feet.
17 My body's racked, till all my bones
distinctly may be told:
Yet such a spectacle of woe
as pastime they behold.
18 As spoil, my garments they divide,
lots for my vesture cast:
19 Therefore approach, O Lord, my strength,
and to my succor haste.
20 From their sharp sword protect thou me,
of all but life bereft!
Nor let my darling in the pow'r
of cruel dogs be left.
21 To save me from the lion's jaws
thy present succor send;
As once, from goring unicorns
thou didst my life defend.
22 Then to my brethren I'll declare
the triumphs of thy Name,
In presence of assembled saints
thy glory, thus proclaim:
23 "Ye worshippers of Jacob's God,
all you of Israel's line,
O praise the Lord, and to your praise
sincere obedience join."
24 "He ne'er disdained on low distress
to cast a gracious eye;
Nor turned from poverty his face,
but hears its humble cry."
The Fourth Part.
25 Thus in thy sacred courts will I
my cheerful thanks express;
In presence of thy saints perform
the vows of my distress.
26 The meek companions of my grief
shall find my table spread;
And all that seek the Lord shall be
with joys immortal fed.
27 Then shall the glad converted world
to God their homage pay;
And scattered nations of the earth
one sov'reign Lord obey.
28 'Tis his supreme prerogative
o'er subject kings to reign;
'Tis just that he should rule the world,
who does the world sustain.
29 The rich, who are with plenty fed,
his bounty must confess
The sons of want, by him relieved,
their gen'rous patron bless.
With humble worship to his throne
they all for aid resort;
That pow'r, which first their beings gave,
can only them support.
30,31 Then shall a chosen spotless race,
devoted to his Name,
To their admiring heirs his truth
and glorious acts proclaim.
