Psalms 22 to 24 : English Standard Version   | SearchSearch | Next Version | Previous Page | Next Page |

Other VersionsPsalm 22

Why Have You Forsaken Me?

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

3Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises[1] of Israel. 4In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. 5To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. 10On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 11Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.

12Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.

14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

16For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet[2]17I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

19But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! 20Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! 21  Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued[3] me from the horns of the wild oxen!

22I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.

25From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 26The afflicted[4] shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!

27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.

29All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. 30Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 31they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

[1] Or dwelling in the praises  [2] Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts like a lion [they are at] my hands and feet  [3] Hebrew answered  [4] Or The meek


Psalm 23

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.[5] 3  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness[6] for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[7] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely[8] goodness and mercy[9] shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[10] in the house of the Lord forever.[11]

[5] Hebrew beside waters of rest  [6] Or in right paths  [7] Or the valley of deep darkness  [8] Or Only  [9] Or steadfast love  [10] Or shall return to dwell  [11] Hebrew for length of days


Psalm 24

The King of Glory

A Psalm of David.

24:1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,[12] the world and those who dwell therein, 2for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

3Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.[13] Selah

7Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

[12] Or and all that fills it  [13] Septuagint, Syriac, and two Hebrew manuscripts; Masoretic Text Jacob, who seek your face

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