Psalms 1–50Psalms 51–100Psalms 101–150Proverbs

Eyewitness: The Life of Christ Told in One StoryMatthewMarkLukeJohnActs

Romans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemon

HebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJude

Revelation to John the Apostle

Psalms

1 Two Paths
2 Promise to God’s Anointed
3 In Adversity, Trusting God
4 Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
5 Trusting God for Help
6 Prayer for Healing
7 Escape from Persecution
8 Majesty of God
9 Righteousness of God
10 Nature of the Wicked

11 Trusting God
12 Deliverance from Evil
13 Patience for Victory
14 Playing the Fool
15 Nature of God’s People
16 Safe in God’s Hands
17 Plea for Vindication
18 Victory Celebration
19 Glory of the Creator
20 Prayer for Victory

21 Victory Praise
22 Desperate for Deliverance
23 The Good Shepherd
24 Living with God
25 Prayer for Guidance
26 Plea for Justice
27 No Fear
28 Anticipating Victory
29 God’s Voice
30 Praise for Good Health

31 Victory by Surrender
32 Forgiveness
33 Greatness of God
34 Righteous Cry for Help
35 The Lord in Battle
36 Good versus Evil
37 Benefit of Patience
38 Repentance
39 Shortness of Life
40 Participation in God’s Plan

41 God’s Help and Healing
42 Fellowship with God
43 Hope in Troubling Times
44 Dependance upon God
45 Royal Wedding
46 Unshakeable City
47 God’s Rule over Nations
48 Jerusalem’s Glory and Strength
49 Value of Wealth
50 The Acceptable Sacrifice

51 Cleansing and Pardon
52 Danger of Deceit
53 Foolish Thinking
54 Alliance with God
55 A Trusted Friend’s Betrayal
56 Survival
57 Praise while Threatened
58 God’s Judgment
59 Rescue from Enemies
60 Victory after Defeat

61 God’s Shelter
62 Trust Only God
63 Comfort in God’s Presence
64 Protection from Wicked Scheming
65 Praise for God’s Gifts
66 Awesomeness of God
67 Praise for God’s Blessings
68 God’s Enemies Scattered
69 Saved from Drowning
70 Quick Deliverance

71 Lifelong Trust
72 Guidance for the King
73 Prosperity of the Wicked
74 Deliverance from Oppression
75 Foolishness of Boasting
76 Judgment from Above
77 Meditating on God’s Wondrous Deeds
78 Teaching the Miracle Stories
79 Mercy for Jerusalem
80 Prayer for Revival

81 God’s Appeal to Israel
82 Call for Justice
83 Prayer for God’s Judgment of His Enemies
84 Joy of Worship
85 Need for God’s Favor
86 Desperate for Help
87 Joy of Jerusalem
88 No Praise from the Grave
89 Covenant with David
90 Life of Short Duration

91 God’s Protection
92 Rise of the Righteous
93 The Lord’s Majesty
94 Avenger of the Righteous
95 Call to Worship
96 The Lord Reigns
97 Glory of God’s Reign
98 Spontaneous Praise
99 God Supreme and Sovereign
100 Goodness beyond Measure

101 Pledge of Integrity
102 The Eternal King
103 The Goodness of God
104 Creator and Provider
105 Faithful God
106 Confession of Israel’s Sins
107 Deliverance from Many Troubles
108 Praise for the Victory
109 Prayer for God’s Judgment
110 God’s Priest and King

111 God’s Marvelous Miracles
112 Blessing for the Righteous
113 Honor for the Lowly
114 Miraculous Exodus
115 Dumb Idols
116 Praise for Healing
117 Call for Universal Praise
118 Victory Song
119 The Glory of God’s Ways
120 Saved from Liars

121 Help from the Lord
122 Prayer for Jerusalem
123 Asking for God’s Mercy
124 The Lord Our Deliverer
125 Security of the Righteous
126 Back from Captivity
127 Master Builder
128 Home of the Faithful
129 Attacked but Not Defeated
130 Freedom from Sin

131 Trust the Lord
132 God’s Dwelling Place
133 Blessing of Unity
134 Praise in the Night
135 Praise for God’s Greatness
136 God’s Miraculous Work
137 Destruction of Jerusalem
138 God’s Love and Faithfulness
139 Inescapable God
140 Deliverance from Enemies

141 Kept from Evil
142 Desperate Prayer
143 Dying of Thirst
144 Prepared for Battle
145 Confirmation of God’s Greatness
146 Help from God
147 God’s Love for Jerusalem
148 Universal Praise
149 Spontaneous Praises
150 Unequaled Greatness/a>

Psalm 22: Desperate for Deliverance

Ask for the Author’s Thoughts about a Question

How should we feel when God hasn’t yet come to our aid?

Author’s Thoughts
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Psalm 22:1–2 To the minister of music, a song of David. To the tune “A Deer at Dawn.”
My God, my God, why have you not come to my aid? Why are you so far from helping me? Why haven’t you listened to my painful cries? I cry out to you constantly, day and night, but you’ve not yet answered.
King James
Psalm 22:1–2 <To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.> My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

How important to God are our praises?

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Psalm 22:3–4 You are holy, living for the praises of your people.
Our ancestors were delivered when they trusted you.
Luke 19:40 “You can be certain,” Jesus said, “that if they kept quiet, the stones would have to shout praises.”
King James
Psalm 22:3–4 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
Luke 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

For what length of time should we have to trust God before we see his deliverance?

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Genesis 15:14 I will judge that nation, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.
Psalm 22:4–5 Our ancestors were delivered when they trusted you. You saved them when they cried out to you. They were not ashamed.
Hebrews 11:13 All these people believed God’s promises but died without seeing their fulfillment. They saw enough from a distance to be convinced of the truth and confess that they are foreigners just passing through.
King James
Genesis 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Psalm 22:4–5 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

With all that God has done for us, why should we see ourselves as worms?

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Psalm 22:6–8 I am no more than a worm, hated and rejected by people. They shake their heads and shout insults, sneering and making fun of me. They say, “He trusted God, so let God deliver him if he is pleased with him.”
King James
Psalm 22:6–8 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

If our commitment has not yet been made, how can we belong to God from the day we were born?

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Psalm 22:9–10 Lord, you brought me from the womb and gave me hope from the time I lay upon my mother’s breasts. From the day I was born, I belonged to you, my God.
Ephesians 1:11 From the beginning, God planned for us to share an inheritance with Christ.
King James
Psalm 22:9–10 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Under what conditions do we most feel the need to turn to God?

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Psalm 22:11–13 When trouble is near, stay close to me, because I have nowhere else to turn but to you. Many enemies have cornered me like raging bulls. The mighty herd from the Golan Heights has come against me. My enemies are like roaring lions, with open mouths ready to attack.
King James
Psalm 22:11–13 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

What can we do when our hope wanes and we have no strength?

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Psalm 22:14–15 My energy is drained like water poured out. My courage has melted like wax. My strength is dried up like a pottery fragment. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, and I am left to die in the dust.
Isaiah 40:31 Those who put their trust in the Lord will find strength in him. They will be like eagles, soaring upward when they spread their wings. They will be like the runner who runs the full distance without getting tired. No matter how far they walk, they won’t become exhausted.
Philippians 4:13 In all situations, no matter how little or how much I have, I must depend on Christ for my strength and guidance.
King James
Psalm 22:14–15 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

What was King David describing with pierced hands and gambling for clothes? What would the people of his day have thought about this description?

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Psalm 22:16–18 Like a pack of dogs, my enemies have surrounded me. The wicked have gathered to pierce my hands and feet. I can count my ribs. My enemies looked at me and gloated. They divided my clothes and threw dice for my garment.
John 19:24 DB Rather than rip it, they decided to gamble to determine its rightful owner. This fulfilled the scripture that says, They divided my clothes and threw dice for my garment.
John 20:25 They told him, “We have seen Jesus.” But he said, “Unless I see the scars in his hands, put my finger where the nails were driven, and place my hand on his wounded side, I will not believe.”
King James
Psalm 22:16–18 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

At what point might King David be referring to his own plight and not Jesus? Who else might he be referring to?

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1 Samuel 17:37 “The Lord who saved me from the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine.”
“Go,” Saul said. “May the Lord be with you.”
Psalm 22:19–21 Don’t stay so far away, Lord, for you are my strength. Come now to help me. Protect me from death by the sword. Keep the vicious dogs from overpowering me. Save me from the lion’s mouth. Don’t let me be gored by the raging bull.
Matthew 27:46 At three o’clock, Jesus screamed, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani,” which means “My God, my God, for this I was born.”
King James
1 Samuel 17:37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.
And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
Psalm 22:19–21 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

By what right could David lay claim to God’s name?

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Psalm 22:22 With my brothers and sisters, I will claim your name. When your family has gathered, I will boast of your greatness.
Galatians 4:4–5 But the day finally arrived when God sent his Son Jesus, born of a woman, subject to the Law. He came to bring us out from under the Law so we might be adopted into his family.
King James
Psalm 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Galatians 4:4–5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

What do we gain by praising the Lord? How might others benefit from our praises? What does God gain?

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Psalm 22:3 You are holy, living for the praises of your people.
Psalm 22:23 Let all who respect the Lord praise him. May God’s people, all the descendants of Jacob, be reverent and honor God.
Matthew 10:32 If anyone publicly acknowledges me before men, I will publicly acknowledge him before my Father in Heaven.
Ephesians 1:16 I continually give thanks for you, keeping you in my prayers.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 No matter what the circumstances are, be thankful, because this is the attitude God wants you to have in Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 We must always thank God for you, my friends, the Lord’s beloved, for he had your salvation in mind from the beginning, that you believe the truth and be cleansed by the Holy Spirit.
King James
Psalm 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Psalm 22:23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

How can God accept us with our faults and failures?

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Psalm 22:24 God doesn’t despise me because of my faults and failures. When I pray, he doesn’t hide from me, but he listens to my cries.
Ephesians 1:4 Even before the creation of Earth and people who sinned, God loved us and had the perfect plan in Christ Jesus for us to become like him, wholly without fault in his eyes.
Ephesians 5:26–27 As Christ made his family special, bathing us with kind, supportive words, so he would have a glorious community without wrinkles or blemishes.
King James
Psalm 22:24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians 5:26–27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Are keeping our promises any more or less important before those who respect God than before those who don’t? Why?

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Psalm 22:25 In the midst of the people, I will praise you. In the presence of those who respect you, I will keep the promises I have made to you.
King James
Psalm 22:25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

How does praise, and seeking the Lord’s will, bring lasting satisfaction?

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Psalm 22:26 The poor and starving will eat their fill. All who seek the Lord’s will, and praise him, will be satisfied forever.
Psalm 22:29 The true worshipers on Earth will eat and be satisfied. Those who die must acknowledge him, because they have no power to keep themselves alive.
King James
Psalm 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
Psalm 22:29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

What will it take for people on Earth to “come to their senses”?

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Psalm 22:27–28 From everywhere on Earth, people will come to their senses and turn to the Lord. Families from every nation will worship him.
The Lord is King of his Kingdom, the supreme ruler of the nations.
King James
Psalm 22:27–28 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations.

What does our serving the Lord do for subsequent generations?

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Psalm 22:30–31 As posterity serves the Lord, subsequent generations will learn about him. They will declare his righteousness to people as yet unborn, saying, “It is finished.”
King James
Psalm 22:30–31 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.