Psalm 22 Text

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Simple Reading (Hebrew)
Forthcoming. 		Simple Reading (English)
Forthcoming.
Dramatic Reading (Hebrew)
Forthcoming. 		Dramatic Reading (English)
Forthcoming.

Text Only (Hebrew and English) The text below is divided according to the psalm's poetic lines. For additional information, see our Poetic Structure layer.

Hebrew Verse English
לַ֭מְנַצֵּחַ עַל־אַיֶּ֥לֶת הַשַּׁ֗חַר מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃ 1 For the director. According to "The Doe of the Dawn." A psalm. By David.
אֵלִ֣י אֵ֭לִי לָמָ֣ה עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי 2a My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
רָח֥וֹק מִֽ֝ישׁוּעָתִ֗י דִּבְרֵ֥י שַׁאֲגָתִֽי׃ 2b [Why are you] far from my protection, [far from] my words of groaning?
אֱֽלֹהַ֗י אֶקְרָ֣א י֭וֹמָם וְלֹ֣א תַעֲנֶ֑ה 3a My God, I cry out by day but you do not answer;
וְ֝לַ֗יְלָה וְֽלֹא־דֽוּמִיָּ֥ה לִֽי׃ 3b and by night, and I am not silent.
וְאַתָּ֥ה קָד֑וֹשׁ 4a But you are holy,
י֝וֹשֵׁ֗ב תְּהִלּ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 4b the one sitting enthroned on Israel’s songs of praise.
בְּ֭ךָ בָּטְח֣וּ אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ 5a Our ancestors trusted you;
בָּ֝טְח֗וּ וַֽתְּפַלְּטֵֽמוֹ׃ 5b they trusted and you rescued them.
אֵלֶ֣יךָ זָעֲק֣וּ וְנִמְלָ֑טוּ 6a They called to you and they were delivered;
בְּךָ֖ בָטְח֣וּ וְלֹא־בֽוֹשׁוּ׃ 6b they trusted you and they were not disappointed.
וְאָנֹכִ֣י תוֹלַ֣עַת וְלֹא־אִ֑ישׁ 7a But I am a worm and not a man;
חֶרְפַּ֥ת אָ֝דָ֗ם וּבְז֥וּי עָֽם׃ 7b I am scorned by mankind and despised by people.
כָּל־רֹ֭אַי יַלְעִ֣גוּ לִ֑י 8a Everyone who sees me mocks me;
יַפְטִ֥ירוּ בְ֝שָׂפָ֗ה יָנִ֥יעוּ רֹֽאשׁ׃ 8b they open [their] mouth wide; they shake [their] head.
גֹּ֣ל אֶל־יְהוָ֣ה יְפַלְּטֵ֑הוּ 9a "Commit [it] to YHWH! —Let him rescue him;
יַ֝צִּילֵ֗הוּ כִּ֘י חָ֥פֵֽץ בּֽוֹ׃ 9b let him deliver him, because he is pleased with him."
כִּֽי־אַתָּ֣ה גֹחִ֣י מִבָּ֑טֶן 10a However, you are the one who took me out of the womb,
מַ֝בְטִיחִ֗י עַל־שְׁדֵ֥י אִמִּֽי׃ 10b who made me feel secure upon my mother's breasts.
עָ֭לֶיךָ הָשְׁלַ֣כְתִּי מֵרָ֑חֶם 11a I have been cast upon you from the womb;
מִבֶּ֥טֶן אִ֝מִּ֗י אֵ֣לִי אָֽתָּה׃ 11b you have been my God from my mother's womb.
אַל־תִּרְחַ֣ק מִ֭מֶּנִּי 12a Do not be far from me,
כִּי־צָרָ֣ה קְרוֹבָ֑ה 12b because trouble is near;
כִּי־אֵ֥ין עוֹזֵֽר׃ 12c because there is no one helping.
סְ֭בָבוּנִי פָּרִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים 13a Many bulls have surrounded me;
אַבִּירֵ֖י בָשָׁ֣ן כִּתְּרֽוּנִי׃ 13b mighty ones of Bashan have surrounded me.
פָּצ֣וּ עָלַ֣י פִּיהֶ֑ם 14a They have opened their mouth wide against me
אַ֝רְיֵ֗ה טֹרֵ֥ף וְשֹׁאֵֽג׃ 14b like a mauling and roaring lion.
כַּמַּ֥יִם נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי֮ 15a I am poured out like water
וְהִתְפָּֽרְד֗וּ כָּֽל־עַצְמ֫וֹתָ֥י 15b and all my bones are disjointed;
הָיָ֣ה לִ֭בִּי כַּדּוֹנָ֑ג 15c my heart has become like wax—
נָ֝מֵ֗ס בְּת֣וֹךְ מֵעָֽי׃ 15d it has melted within my interior.
יָ֘בֵ֤שׁ כַּחֶ֨רֶשׂ ׀ כֹּחִ֗י 16a My strength has dried up like a potsherd
וּ֭לְשׁוֹנִי מֻדְבָּ֣ק מַלְקוֹחָ֑י 16b and my tongue clings to the roof of my mouth;
וְֽלַעֲפַר־מָ֥וֶת תִּשְׁפְּתֵֽנִי׃ 16c you place me in the dust of death.
כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים 17a For dogs have surrounded me,
עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי 17b a company of evildoers has encompassed me,
כָּ֝אֲרוּ יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃ 17c they have pierced my hands and my feet.
אֲסַפֵּ֥ר כָּל־עַצְמוֹתָ֑י 18a I can count all my bones;
הֵ֥מָּה יַ֝בִּ֗יטוּ יִרְאוּ־בִֽי׃ 18b they look, gazing at me.
יְחַלְּק֣וּ בְגָדַ֣י לָהֶ֑ם 19a They divide my clothes among themselves
וְעַל־לְ֝בוּשִׁ֗י יַפִּ֥ילוּ גוֹרָֽל׃ 19b and cast a lot for my garment.
וְאַתָּ֣ה יְ֭הוָה אַל־תִּרְחָ֑ק 20a But you, YHWH, don’t be far!
אֱ֝יָלוּתִ֗י לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָׁה׃ 20b My strength, hurry to my aid!
הַצִּ֣ילָה מֵחֶ֣רֶב נַפְשִׁ֑י 21a Rescue my life from a sword,
מִיַּד־כֶּ֝֗לֶב יְחִידָתִֽי׃ 21b my only [life] from a dog’s power.
ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵנִי מִפִּ֣י אַרְיֵ֑ה 22a Save me from a lion’s mouth!
וּמִקַּרְנֵ֖י רֵמִ֣ים עֲנִיתָֽנִי׃ 22b And from wild oxen's horns —you have answered me!
אֲסַפְּרָ֣ה שִׁמְךָ֣ לְאֶחָ֑י 23a I will announce your name to my brothers;
בְּת֖וֹךְ קָהָ֣ל אֲהַלְלֶֽךָּ׃ 23b I will praise you in the midst of the community.
יִרְאֵ֤י יְהוָ֨ה ׀ הַֽלְל֗וּהוּ 24a You who fear YHWH, praise him!
כָּל־זֶ֣רַע יַעֲקֹ֣ב כַּבְּד֑וּהוּ 24b All you offspring of Jacob, honor him!
וְג֥וּרוּ מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ כָּל־זֶ֥רַע יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 24c And be in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
כִּ֤י לֹֽא־בָזָ֨ה וְלֹ֪א שִׁקַּ֡ץ עֱנ֬וּת עָנִ֗י 25a Because he has not regarded as worthless nor detestable the sufferer's affliction
וְלֹא־הִסְתִּ֣יר פָּנָ֣יו מִמֶּ֑נּוּ 25b and he has not hidden his face from him;
וּֽבְשַׁוְּע֖וֹ אֵלָ֣יו שָׁמֵֽעַ׃ 25c but he heard when he cried to him for help.
מֵ֥אִתְּךָ֗ תְֽהִלָּ֫תִ֥י בְּקָהָ֥ל רָ֑ב 26a My praise among a great community is because of you;
נְדָרַ֥י אֲ֝שַׁלֵּ֗ם נֶ֣גֶד יְרֵאָֽיו׃ 26b I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who fear him.
יֹאכְל֬וּ עֲנָוִ֨ים ׀ וְיִשְׂבָּ֗עוּ 27a The afflicted will eat and be satisfied;
יְהַֽלְל֣וּ יְ֭הוָה דֹּ֣רְשָׁ֑יו 27b those who seek him will praise YHWH—
יְחִ֖י לְבַבְכֶ֣ם לָעַֽד׃ 27c may your heart live forever!
יִזְכְּר֤וּ ׀ וְיָשֻׁ֣בוּ אֶל־יְ֭הוָה כָּל־אַפְסֵי־אָ֑רֶץ 28a Let all the ends of the earth consider so that they will turn to YHWH,
וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ לְ֝פָנֶ֗יךָ כָּֽל־מִשְׁפְּח֥וֹת גּוֹיִֽם׃ 28b so that all the families of the nations will worship before you,
כִּ֣י לַ֭יהוָה הַמְּלוּכָ֑ה 29a because kingship belongs to YHWH
וּ֝מֹשֵׁ֗ל בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃ 29b and he rules over the nations.
אָכְל֬וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֨וּ ׀ כָּֽל־דִּשְׁנֵי־אֶ֗רֶץ 30a All the strong ones of the earth have eaten and worshiped;
לְפָנָ֣יו יִ֭כְרְעוּ כָּל־יוֹרְדֵ֣י עָפָ֑ר 30b all those going down to dust will kneel before him,
וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ לֹ֣א חִיָּֽה׃ 30c and he did not preserve their life.
זֶ֥רַע יַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ 31a Future generations will serve him;
יְסֻפַּ֖ר לַֽאדֹנָ֣י לַדּֽוֹר׃ 31b it will be proclaimed concerning the Lord to that generation—
יָ֭בֹאוּ וְיַגִּ֣ידוּ צִדְקָת֑וֹ 32a Let them come so that they tell his righteous deed
לְעַ֥ם נ֝וֹלָ֗ד כִּ֣י עָשָֽׂה׃ 32b to a people who will be born—what he has done.

Structure Overlay Below, the text has been overlaid with our summary structural analysis. For details on the structure, see the Structure At-a-Glance here.

Expanded paraphrase The expanded paraphrase seeks to capture the implicit information within the text and make it explicit for readers today. It is based on the CBC translation and uses italic text to provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences.

Text (Hebrew) Verse Expanded Paraphrase
לַ֭מְנַצֵּחַ עַל־אַיֶּ֥לֶת הַשַּׁ֗חַר מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃ 1 For the director. According to "The Doe of the Dawn." A psalm. By David.
אֵלִ֣י אֵ֭לִי לָמָ֣ה עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי רָח֥וֹק מִֽ֝ישׁוּעָתִ֗י דִּבְרֵ֥י שַׁאֲגָתִֽי׃ 2 My God, my God, I am at the end of my crying out. Normally, I enjoy and can even expect your presence, but now I do not, so I ask why have you abandoned me? [Why are you] far from my protection, [far from] my words of groaning? There is no one helping me—if you are not here to protect me, no one will.
אֱֽלֹהַ֗י אֶקְרָ֣א י֭וֹמָם וְלֹ֣א תַעֲנֶ֑ה וְ֝לַ֗יְלָה וְֽלֹא־דֽוּמִיָּ֥ה לִֽי׃ 3 My God, I cry out by day but you do not answer; and by night, and I do not stop; I am not silent.
וְאַתָּ֥ה קָד֑וֹשׁ י֝וֹשֵׁ֗ב תְּהִלּ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 4 But you are holy, the one sitting enthroned on Israel's songs of praise, because your continual loyalty gave Israel continual reason to recognize your faithful rule and their king.
בְּ֭ךָ בָּטְח֣וּ אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ בָּ֝טְח֗וּ וַֽתְּפַלְּטֵֽמוֹ׃ 5 Indeed, after rescuing them in the Exodus event, you became Israel's praise (Deut 10:21). Even when they, too, had dangerous situations, our ancestors trusted you; they trusted and you rescued them.
אֵלֶ֣יךָ זָעֲק֣וּ וְנִמְלָ֑טוּ בְּךָ֖ בָטְח֣וּ וְלֹא־בֽוֹשׁוּ׃ 6 They called to you and they were delivered; they trusted you and they were not disappointed. I can expect you to answer me now because of your faithfulness to previous generations. I, too, can expect not to be disappointed.
וְאָנֹכִ֣י תוֹלַ֣עַת וְלֹא־אִ֑ישׁ חֶרְפַּ֥ת אָ֝דָ֗ם וּבְז֥וּי עָֽם׃ 7 But, since you have not answered me, I am considered as insignificant as a worm and less than human— not a man; those who see me conclude I am not really trusting you, that obviously I have done something to deserve this, and that I am responsible for my own suffering, so I am scorned by mankind and despised by people.
כָּל־רֹ֭אַי יַלְעִ֣גוּ לִ֑י יַפְטִ֥ירוּ בְ֝שָׂפָ֗ה יָנִ֥יעוּ רֹֽאשׁ׃ 8 Everyone who sees me mocks me; they open [their] mouth wide; they shake [their] head and say, mockingly,
גֹּ֣ל אֶל־יְהוָ֣ה יְפַלְּטֵ֑הוּ יַ֝צִּילֵ֗הוּ כִּ֘י חָ֥פֵֽץ בּֽוֹ׃ 9 "Commit [it] to YHWH! —Let him rescue him; let him deliver him, because he is pleased with him." Since you are not answering me, they have concluded that you cannot be pleased with me.
כִּֽי־אַתָּ֣ה גֹחִ֣י מִבָּ֑טֶן מַ֝בְטִיחִ֗י עַל־שְׁדֵ֥י אִמִּֽי׃ 10 However, I have trusted you since birth. You brought me into being; you cannot leave me destitute. You are the one who took me out of the womb, who made me feel secure upon my mother's breasts.
עָ֭לֶיךָ הָשְׁלַ֣כְתִּי מֵרָ֑חֶם מִבֶּ֥טֶן אִ֝מִּ֗י אֵ֣לִי אָֽתָּה׃ 11 I have been cast upon you from the womb; you have been my God from my mother's womb. You were faithful to protect me then; you should be faithful to protect me now.
אַל־תִּרְחַ֣ק מִ֭מֶּנִּי כִּי־צָרָ֣ה קְרוֹבָ֑ה כִּי־אֵ֥ין עוֹזֵֽר׃ 12 Since I normally enjoy and can therefore expect your presence and proximity, I request that you do not be far from me, because trouble is near and there is no escape; because there is no one helping. In your absence, helping me in my suffering would stain people's social reputation, since they consider me responsible and deserving of my suffering. Instead, people take advantage of my situation.
סְ֭בָבוּנִי פָּרִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים אַבִּירֵ֖י בָשָׁ֣ן כִּתְּרֽוּנִי׃ 13 My enemies are like dangerous animals who threaten me. Many proud and strong bulls have surrounded me, so I am outnumbered; mighty ones of Bashan have surrounded me. There is no way I can match their strength.
פָּצ֣וּ עָלַ֣י פִּיהֶ֑ם אַ֝רְיֵ֗ה טֹרֵ֥ף וְשֹׁאֵֽג׃ 14 They have opened their mouth wide against me to devour me like a mauling and roaring lion, warning off anyone else who might get involved to help.
כַּמַּ֥יִם נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי֮ וְהִתְפָּֽרְד֗וּ כָּֽל־עַצְמ֫וֹתָ֥י הָיָ֣ה לִ֭בִּי כַּדּוֹנָ֑ג נָ֝מֵ֗ס בְּת֣וֹךְ מֵעָֽי׃ 15 I am terrified. I can barely stand nor move. I am poured out like water into the dusty ground and all my bones are disjointed —there's nothing keeping me together; out of terror, my heart has become like wax— it has melted within my interior and there is no way to put the pieces back together.
יָ֘בֵ֤שׁ כַּחֶ֨רֶשׂ ׀ כֹּחִ֗י וּ֭לְשׁוֹנִי מֻדְבָּ֣ק מַלְקוֹחָ֑י וְֽלַעֲפַר־מָ֥וֶת תִּשְׁפְּתֵֽנִי׃ 16 My strength has dried up like a potsherd, brittle and thrown out as useless, and my tongue clings to the roof of my mouth; I am as good as dead; you place me in the dust of death —yes, you are ultimately to blame.
כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי *כָּאֲרוּ* יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃ 17 For greedy scavenging dogs have surrounded me, considering me an unclean evildoer, a company of evildoers has encompassed me, they have pierced my hands and my feet so I cannot defend myself or run.
אֲסַפֵּ֥ר כָּל־עַצְמוֹתָ֑י הֵ֥מָּה יַ֝בִּ֗יטוּ יִרְאוּ־בִֽי׃ 18 I am so weak and frail that I can count all my bones; but the onlookers— they look, gazing at me, taking satisfaction in my circumstances and anticipating my death.
יְחַלְּק֣וּ בְגָדַ֣י לָהֶ֑ם וְעַל־לְ֝בוּשִׁ֗י יַפִּ֥ילוּ גוֹרָֽל׃ 19 They divide my clothes among themselves and cast a lot for my garment, as if I were already dead.
וְאַתָּ֣ה יְ֭הוָה אַל־תִּרְחָ֑ק אֱ֝יָלוּתִ֗י לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָׁה׃ 20 But you, YHWH, don't be far! My strength, hurry to my aid!
הַצִּ֣ילָה מֵחֶ֣רֶב נַפְשִׁ֑י מִיַּד־כֶּ֝֗לֶב יְחִידָתִֽי׃ 21 Rescue my life from a sword, my only [life] from a dog's power.
ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵנִי מִפִּ֣י אַרְיֵ֑ה וּמִקַּרְנֵ֖י רֵמִ֣ים עֲנִיתָֽנִי׃ 22 Save me from a lion's mouth! And from wild oxen's horns— wait, you have answered me! Even though you have not rescued me yet, I know now that you will.
אֲסַפְּרָ֣ה שִׁמְךָ֣ לְאֶחָ֑י בְּת֖וֹךְ קָהָ֣ל אֲהַלְלֶֽךָּ׃ 23 And when you do, I will announce your name to my brothers so they will all know who you are and what you are all about; I will praise you in the midst of the community.
יִרְאֵ֤י יְהוָ֨ה ׀ הַֽלְל֗וּהוּ כָּל־זֶ֣רַע יַעֲקֹ֣ב כַּבְּד֑וּהוּ וְג֥וּרוּ מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ כָּל־זֶ֥רַע יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 24 So you, too, those who fear YHWH, praise him with me! All you offspring of Jacob, honor him! And be in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! Do not even think about accusing him of any injustice!
כִּ֤י לֹֽא־בָזָ֨ה וְלֹ֪א שִׁקַּ֡ץ עֱנ֬וּת עָנִ֗י וְלֹא־הִסְתִּ֣יר פָּנָ֣יו מִמֶּ֑נּוּ וּֽבְשַׁוְּע֖וֹ אֵלָ֣יו שָׁמֵֽעַ׃ 25 Because he has not regarded as worthless nor detestable the sufferer's affliction. In fact, Suffering itself has its purposes and is something valuable in YHWH's eyes. And he has not, in fact, hidden his face from him. YHWH does not ignore the afflicted; but he heard when he cried to him for help, so my crying out was not in vain, after all.
מֵ֥אִתְּךָ֗ תְֽהִלָּ֫תִ֥י בְּקָהָ֥ל רָ֑ב נְדָרַ֥י אֲ֝שַׁלֵּ֗ם נֶ֣גֶד יְרֵאָֽיו׃ 26 My praise among a great community is because of you and what you have done for me; I will fulfill my vows of thanksgiving offerings in the presence of those who fear him, so that they will have reason to celebrate with me.
יֹאכְל֬וּ עֲנָוִ֨ים ׀ וְיִשְׂבָּ֗עוּ יְהַֽלְל֣וּ יְ֭הוָה דֹּ֣רְשָׁ֑יו יְחִ֖י לְבַבְכֶ֣ם לָעַֽד׃ 27 After being rescued and saved, I will organize a fellowship meal, so that the afflicted will eat and be satisfied; They can take comfort and expect the same outcome as my affliction, recognizing that it is not in vain to seek you—they will end up praising you in their deliverance, too! Indeed, those who seek him will praise YHWH— I will offer a toast: may your heart live forever!
יִזְכְּר֤וּ ׀ וְיָשֻׁ֣בוּ אֶל־יְ֭הוָה כָּל־אַפְסֵי־אָ֑רֶץ וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ לְ֝פָנֶ֗יךָ כָּֽל־מִשְׁפְּח֥וֹת גּוֹיִֽם׃ 28 The result of you delivering me is much bigger than this community—YHWH is due all praise from his earthly subjects everywhere. Nevertheless, they are currently far off, so, let all the ends of the earth consider when they hear what YHWH has done, so that they will turn to YHWH, so that all the families of the nations will worship before you, fulfilling your ancient promise that all the families of the earth would be blessed,
כִּ֣י לַ֭יהוָה הַמְּלוּכָ֑ה וּ֝מֹשֵׁ֗ל בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃ 29 because kingship belongs to YHWH and he rules over the nations, so he is due all praise from his earthy subjects everywhere.
אָכְל֬וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֨וּ ׀ כָּֽל־דִּשְׁנֵי־אֶ֗רֶץ לְפָנָ֣יו יִ֭כְרְעוּ כָּל־יוֹרְדֵ֣י עָפָ֑ר וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ לֹ֣א חִיָּֽה׃ 30 The poor and afflicted have been joined by those who feel healthy and prosperous. So all the strong ones of the earth have eaten and worshiped; but their health cannot save them from the inevitable: all those going down to dust will kneel before him, and even if he, YHWH, did not preserve their life as he did mine, even if, after participating in this fellowship meal, they did not experience the same deliverance I have,
זֶ֥רַע יַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ יְסֻפַּ֖ר לַֽאדֹנָ֣י לַדּֽוֹר׃ 31 their offspring in future generations will serve him anyway; it will be proclaimed concerning the Lord to that generation that YHWH does not abandon, after all, and that he has acted justly towards his creation —
יָ֭בֹאוּ וְיַגִּ֣ידוּ צִדְקָת֑וֹ לְעַ֥ם נ֝וֹלָ֗ד כִּ֣י עָשָֽׂה׃ 32 Let them, the strong ones of the earth, come so that they tell his righteous deed to a people who will be born—what he has done for me.

Participant Tracking Text Participant Analysis focuses on the characters in the psalm and asks, “Who are the main participants (or characters) in this psalm, and what are they saying or doing? Our full analysis can be found in the Participant Analysis layer.

  Participant Color-Coding

There are 5 participants/characters in Psalm 22:

David (v. 1)
"a worm and not a man" (v. 7)

YHWH (vv. 9, 20, 24, 27, 28, 29)
"my God" (vv. 2, 3, 11)
"the one sitting enthroned upon Israel's songs of praise" (v. 4)
"the Lord" (v. 31)

Israel (vv. 4, 24)
"brothers" (v. 23)
"community" (vv. 23, 26)
"Jacob" (v. 24)
"those who fear YHWH" (vv. 24, 26)
Ancestors (vv. 5-6)
The sufferer (v. 25)
The afflicted (v. 27)

Evildoers (v. 17)
"people, mankind" (v. 7)
"bulls" (v. 13)
"mighty ones of Bashan" (v. 13)
"dogs" (vv. 17, 21)
"a lion" (v. 22)
"a wild oxen" (v. 22)
trouble (v. 12)
"a sword" (v. 21)

The nations (v. 29)
"the ends of the earth" (v. 28)
"the families of the nations" (v. 28)
The strong ones of the earth (v. 30)
"those going down to dust" (v. 30)
Future generations (v. 31)
"a people who will be born" (v. 32)

  • The psalmist is identified as David in the superscription, though, reflecting the community's attitude towards him in his state of suffering, he feels as low and unclean as "a worm and not a man" (v. 7). With the exception of v. 9, in which he quotes the speech of those mocking him, David is the speaker throughout the psalm.
  • YHWH is identified as David's God, as well as "the one sitting enthroned on Israel's songs of praise" (v. 4; see the imagery table). He is the addressee for most of the psalm (see the text table).
  • As for David's favorable community, Israel's ancestors are mentioned first (vv. 5–6), as having trusted YHWH on previous occasions. As soon as he receives response from YHWH (v. 22b), David is eager to make his praise heard in the community of his people, so that others who have experienced suffering or affliction will be encouraged to celebrate with him, since YHWH has not despised the sufferer or afflicted one.
  • David's enemies are those who delight in his state of suffering and wait to take advantage of his imminent death. They threaten David throughout vv. 13–22 both verbally and physically. They are also judged to be the mocking speakers of v. 9.
  • The nations are introduced only in the last five verses. They are called to consider the testimony of David's salvation, so that they will turn and worship YHWH along with future generations.


Hebrew Verse English
לַ֭מְנַצֵּחַ עַל־אַיֶּ֥לֶת הַשַּׁ֗חַר מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃ 1 For the director. According to "The Doe of the Dawn." A psalm. By David.
אֵלִ֣י אֵ֭לִי לָמָ֣ה עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי 2a My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
רָח֥וֹק מִֽ֝ישׁוּעָתִ֗י דִּבְרֵ֥י שַׁאֲגָתִֽי׃ 2b [Why are you] far from my protection, [far from] my words of groaning?
אֱֽלֹהַ֗י אֶקְרָ֣א י֭וֹמָם וְלֹ֣א תַעֲנֶ֑ה 3a My God, I cry out by day but you do not answer;
וְ֝לַ֗יְלָה וְֽלֹא־דֽוּמִיָּ֥ה לִֽי׃ 3b and by night, and I am not silent.
וְאַתָּ֥ה קָד֑וֹשׁ 4a But you are holy,
י֝וֹשֵׁ֗ב תְּהִלּ֥וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 4b the one sitting enthroned on Israel’s songs of praise.
בְּ֭ךָ בָּטְח֣וּ אֲבֹתֵ֑ינוּ 5a Our ancestors trusted you;
בָּ֝טְח֗וּ וַֽתְּפַלְּטֵֽמוֹ׃ 5b they trusted and you rescued them.
אֵלֶ֣יךָ זָעֲק֣וּ וְנִמְלָ֑טוּ 6a They called to you and they were delivered;
בְּךָ֖ בָטְח֣וּ וְלֹא־בֽוֹשׁוּ׃ 6b they trusted you and they were not disappointed.
וְאָנֹכִ֣י תוֹלַ֣עַת וְלֹא־אִ֑ישׁ 7a But I am a worm and not a man;
חֶרְפַּ֥ת אָ֝דָ֗ם וּבְז֥וּי עָֽם׃ 7b I am scorned by mankind and despised by people.
כָּל־רֹ֭אַי יַלְעִ֣גוּ לִ֑י 8a Everyone who sees me mocks me;
יַפְטִ֥ירוּ בְ֝שָׂפָ֗ה יָנִ֥יעוּ רֹֽאשׁ׃ 8b they open [their] mouth wide; they shake [their] head.
גֹּ֣ל אֶל־יְהוָ֣ה יְפַלְּטֵ֑הוּ 9a "Commit [it] to YHWH! —Let him rescue him;
יַ֝צִּילֵ֗הוּ כִּ֘י חָ֥פֵֽץ בּֽוֹ׃ 9b let him deliver him, because he is pleased with him."
כִּֽי־אַתָּ֣ה גֹחִ֣י מִבָּ֑טֶן 10a However, you are the one who took me out of the womb,
מַ֝בְטִיחִ֗י עַל־שְׁדֵ֥י אִמִּֽי׃ 10b who made me feel secure upon my mother's breasts.
עָ֭לֶיךָ הָשְׁלַ֣כְתִּי מֵרָ֑חֶם 11a I have been cast upon you from the womb;
מִבֶּ֥טֶן אִ֝מִּ֗י אֵ֣לִי אָֽתָּה׃ 11b you have been my God from my mother's womb.
אַל־תִּרְחַ֣ק מִ֭מֶּנִּי 12a Do not be far from me,
כִּי־צָרָ֣ה קְרוֹבָ֑ה 12b because trouble is near;
כִּי־אֵ֥ין עוֹזֵֽר׃ 12c because there is no one helping.
סְ֭בָבוּנִי פָּרִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים 13a Many bulls have surrounded me;
אַבִּירֵ֖י בָשָׁ֣ן כִּתְּרֽוּנִי׃ 13b mighty ones of Bashan have surrounded me.
פָּצ֣וּ עָלַ֣י פִּיהֶ֑ם 14a They have opened their mouth wide against me
אַ֝רְיֵ֗ה טֹרֵ֥ף וְשֹׁאֵֽג׃ 14b like a mauling and roaring lion.
כַּמַּ֥יִם נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי֮ 15a I am poured out like water
וְהִתְפָּֽרְד֗וּ כָּֽל־עַצְמ֫וֹתָ֥י 15b and all my bones are disjointed;
הָיָ֣ה לִ֭בִּי כַּדּוֹנָ֑ג 15c my heart has become like wax—
נָ֝מֵ֗ס בְּת֣וֹךְ מֵעָֽי׃ 15d it has melted within my interior.
יָ֘בֵ֤שׁ כַּחֶ֨רֶשׂ ׀ כֹּחִ֗י 16a My strength has dried up like a potsherd
וּ֭לְשׁוֹנִי מֻדְבָּ֣ק מַלְקוֹחָ֑י 16b and my tongue clings to the roof of my mouth;
וְֽלַעֲפַר־מָ֥וֶת תִּשְׁפְּתֵֽנִי׃ 16c you place me in the dust of death.
כִּ֥י סְבָב֗וּנִי כְּלָ֫בִ֥ים 17a For dogs have surrounded me,
עֲדַ֣ת מְ֭רֵעִים הִקִּיפ֑וּנִי 17b a company of evildoers has encompassed me,
כָּ֝אֲרוּ יָדַ֥י וְרַגְלָֽי׃ 17c they have pierced my hands and my feet.
אֲסַפֵּ֥ר כָּל־עַצְמוֹתָ֑י 18a I can count all my bones;
הֵ֥מָּה יַ֝בִּ֗יטוּ יִרְאוּ־בִֽי׃ 18b they look, gazing at me.
יְחַלְּק֣וּ בְגָדַ֣י לָהֶ֑ם 19a They divide my clothes among themselves
וְעַל־לְ֝בוּשִׁ֗י יַפִּ֥ילוּ גוֹרָֽל׃ 19b and cast a lot for my garment.
וְאַתָּ֣ה יְ֭הוָה אַל־תִּרְחָ֑ק 20a But you, YHWH, don’t be far!
אֱ֝יָלוּתִ֗י לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָׁה׃ 20b My strength, hurry to my aid!
הַצִּ֣ילָה מֵחֶ֣רֶב נַפְשִׁ֑י 21a Rescue my life from a sword,
מִיַּד־כֶּ֝֗לֶב יְחִידָתִֽי׃ 21b my only [life] from a dog’s power.
ה֭וֹשִׁיעֵנִי מִפִּ֣י אַרְיֵ֑ה 22a Save me from a lion’s mouth!
וּמִקַּרְנֵ֖י רֵמִ֣ים עֲנִיתָֽנִי׃ 22b And from wild oxen's horns —you have answered me!
אֲסַפְּרָ֣ה שִׁמְךָ֣ לְאֶחָ֑י 23a I will announce your name to my brothers;
בְּת֖וֹךְ קָהָ֣ל אֲהַלְלֶֽךָּ׃ 23b I will praise you in the midst of the community.
יִרְאֵ֤י יְהוָ֨ה ׀ הַֽלְל֗וּהוּ 24a You who fear YHWH, praise him!
כָּל־זֶ֣רַע יַעֲקֹ֣ב כַּבְּד֑וּהוּ 24b All you offspring of Jacob, honor him!
וְג֥וּרוּ מִ֝מֶּ֗נּוּ כָּל־זֶ֥רַע יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ 24c And be in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
כִּ֤י לֹֽא־בָזָ֨ה וְלֹ֪א שִׁקַּ֡ץ עֱנ֬וּת עָנִ֗י 25a Because he has not regarded as worthless nor detestable the sufferer's affliction
וְלֹא־הִסְתִּ֣יר פָּנָ֣יו מִמֶּ֑נּוּ 25b and he has not hidden his face from him;
וּֽבְשַׁוְּע֖וֹ אֵלָ֣יו שָׁמֵֽעַ׃ 25c but he heard when he cried to him for help.
מֵ֥אִתְּךָ֗ תְֽהִלָּ֫תִ֥י בְּקָהָ֥ל רָ֑ב 26a My praise among a great community is because of you;
נְדָרַ֥י אֲ֝שַׁלֵּ֗ם נֶ֣גֶד יְרֵאָֽיו׃ 26b I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who fear him.
יֹאכְל֬וּ עֲנָוִ֨ים ׀ וְיִשְׂבָּ֗עוּ 27a The afflicted will eat and be satisfied;
יְהַֽלְל֣וּ יְ֭הוָה דֹּ֣רְשָׁ֑יו 27b those who seek him will praise YHWH—
יְחִ֖י לְבַבְכֶ֣ם לָעַֽד׃ 27c may your heart live forever!
יִזְכְּר֤וּ ׀ וְיָשֻׁ֣בוּ אֶל־יְ֭הוָה כָּל־אַפְסֵי־אָ֑רֶץ 28a Let all the ends of the earth consider so that they will turn to YHWH,
וְיִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ לְ֝פָנֶ֗יךָ כָּֽל־מִשְׁפְּח֥וֹת גּוֹיִֽם׃ 28b so that all the families of the nations will worship before you,
כִּ֣י לַ֭יהוָה הַמְּלוּכָ֑ה 29a because kingship belongs to YHWH
וּ֝מֹשֵׁ֗ל בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃ 29b and he rules over the nations.
אָכְל֬וּ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֨וּ ׀ כָּֽל־דִּשְׁנֵי־אֶ֗רֶץ 30a All the strong ones of the earth have eaten and worshiped;
לְפָנָ֣יו יִ֭כְרְעוּ כָּל־יוֹרְדֵ֣י עָפָ֑ר 30b all those going down to dust will kneel before him,
וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ לֹ֣א חִיָּֽה׃ 30c and he did not preserve their life.
זֶ֥רַע יַֽעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ 31a Future generations will serve him;
יְסֻפַּ֖ר לַֽאדֹנָ֣י לַדּֽוֹר׃ 31b it will be proclaimed concerning the Lord to that generation—
יָ֭בֹאוּ וְיַגִּ֣ידוּ צִדְקָת֑וֹ 32a Let them come so that they tell his righteous deed
לְעַ֥ם נ֝וֹלָ֗ד כִּ֣י עָשָֽׂה׃ 32b to a people who will be born—what he has done.