Psalm 22

Inspired by Psalm 22. This one took me a long time to get right. Between the poetry and creating a song that expressed the anguish proved more challenging than expected. I have the lyrics copied below for those that would like to check it against their favorite translation: My God, my God, why have You turned away? Why stand so far, when I cry out and pray, So far from saving, in grief I groan, From every anguished word I moan? O my God, by day, I cry aloud, Yet no reply breaks through the cloud; By night I call, yet find no rest, No quiet calm within my chest. Yet You are holy, throned above, Enthroned on Israel’s songs of love. Our fathers trusted, trusted You; You rescued them, proved strong and true. They cried to You and freedom claimed. They trusted and were not shamed. But I am but a worm, not a man, Despised, rejected in their clan. All who see me mock outright; They curl the lip, they shake in spite: “He trusted in the Lord,” they say, “Let Him deliver him today. Let Him rescue, if He delights, If his cause deserves His might.” Yet You are He who brought me forth, Who made me trust from early birth. At my mother’s breast You made me trust, In tender care, so kind and just. Be not far off, for trouble’s near, And my cry, none but You will hear. Strong bulls surround on every side, The bulls of Bashan press with pride. They open wide their mouths at me, Like lions roaring savagely. I’m poured like water, strength undone; My bones disjointed, one by one. My heart like wax has melted fast; Within my chest its courage passed. My strength is dried like broken clay; My tongue sticks to my jaws all day. You lay me in the dust of death, My life brought low, my failing breath. For dogs surround in hostile bands; Evildoers grip with violent hands. They pierced my hands and pierced my feet; My bones I count in slow defeat. They stare and gloat upon my pain; They part my garments for their gain, And for my clothing cast their lot, Dividing what the world forgot. But You, O Lord, be not afar; O Strength, make haste, my help You are. Deliver from the sword my soul, My precious life from evil’s hold. Save me from the lion’s jaw; From horns of wild oxen draw. I will declare Your name aloud Among my brothers in the crowd. Within the great assembly’s praise I’ll lift my voice through grateful days. You who fear the Lord, give praise! All Jacob’s seed, your voices raise! All Israel’s offspring, stand in awe, He has not despised the poor He saw. He has not hidden from his cry, But heard as he called from his demise. From You my praise in throngs shall rise; My vows I’ll pay before their eyes. The meek shall eat and satisfied be; Those seeking Him shall praise Him free. May all your hearts forever live, For God alone true life can give. All earth’s far ends shall turn and see, Remembering the Lord is He. All nations’ families bow the knee, Before His kingdom’s majesty. He rules above all earthly might; He governs nations by His right. All prosperous of earth shall eat and bow; Before Him bend the mortal now, Even those who cannot keep Their souls alive from death’s dark sleep. A seed shall serve Him, yet unborn; Of Him the coming age be sworn. They shall proclaim His righteous ways, To people yet to know His grace, That He has done this mighty thing; Salvation wrought by God, our King.