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Listen to this chapter • 3:13

[1] My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?

[2] Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.

[3] Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

[4] Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.

[5] They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

[6] But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all!

[7] Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying,

[8] “Is this the one who relies on the Lord? Then let the Lord save him! If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!”

[9] Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.

[10] I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born.

[11] Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me.

[12] My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!

[13] Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey.

[14] My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me.

[15] My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.

[16] My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet.

[17] I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat.

[18] They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.

[19] O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!

[20] Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs.

[21] Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen.

[22] I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.

[23] Praise the Lord, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!

[24] For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.

[25] I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.

[26] The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.

[27] The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him.

[28] For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.

[29] Let the rich of the earth feast and worship. Bow before him, all who are mortal, all whose lives will end as dust.

[30] Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.

[31] His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.

Psalms — Chapters