The Psalms of David ‎#XXII

XXII. My GOD! my GOD! why leav'st thou me

1 My GOD! my GOD! why leavst thou me,
When I with Anguish call on thee?
Why dost thou me neglect,
And my loud Pray'r reject?
All Day, but all the day in vain,
To thee, O LORD, do I complain:
All Night have I implor'd
Thy Help to me restor'd.

3 Yet thou, O LORD, art ever just,
Relieving those, who in thee trust;
Therefore shalt Israel raise
To thee, continual Praise:
On Thee our Ancestors rely'd,
And in thy Strength their Foes defy'd;
To thee their Pray'rs address'd,
And with Success were bless'd.
of Innocence oppress'd;

3 Thy sure Deliv'rance, LORD, they found,
When Dangers gather'd thickest round;
Thine Ears their Cries receiv'd,
And they were soon reliev'd;
But I, like none of human Birth,
Am made the scoffing Rabble's Mirth;
Ev'n like a Reptile base,
They hold me in Disgrace.

Part II

4 My Agonies, the gazing Crowd,
Survey with Scorn and Laughter loud,
They mock whilst I complain,
And thus my Woes disdain:
"He boasted, he was Heav'n's Delight,
"Let GOD relieve his Favourite;
"Let him Assistance send,
"His Servant to defend.

5 But thou didst from my Mother's Womb,
Make me a living Offspring come;
Thy Care thou didst extend,
Me helpless to defend:
My Youth thou didst from Danger shield,
And Guardian-like Protection yield;
In thee I will confide,
For thou wert still my Guide.

6 Withdraw not then, O GOD, Most high!
Thy Aid, when Trouble is so nigh:
Do thou that Help extend,
On which I still depend.
High-pamper'd Bulls, a frowning Throng,
From Basan's Forest, fierce and strong,
Prepare with growing Rage,
Against me to engage.

7 They gape on me, and to my Fears,
Each Mouth, a yawning Grave appears;
Wide open to devour
My Soul, when in their Pow'r:
The desart Lion's savage Roar,
Could not increase my Horrors more.
In Compact close combin'd,
They have my Fall design'd.

Part III

8 My Joints are rack'd, and out of Frame;
My Heart like Wax before the Flame.
Within my Bosom glows;
My Blood like Water flows:
My Strength is parch'd' like Potter's Clay,
My fault'ring Tongue forgets to play;
My Soul all Hope resigns,
And to the Grave declines.

9 Like Blood-hounds, they assembled round,
My harmless Hands and Feet they wound;
And through my constant Pain,
I languish and complain;
That all my Bones may well be told;
Yet this as Pastime they behold.
And still their Pleasure shew,
At each Increase of Woe.

10 As Spoil, my Garments they divide:
By Lots their Portions they decide;
Therefore thy Arm extend,
And kind Protection send.
From their sharp Sword defend thou me,
And let my Life from Danger free;
Nor leave my Soul o'erpower'd,
By Dogs to be devour'd.

11 To me, O GOD! Assistance send,
My Life from Lions fierce defend;
As once thy Strength prevail'd,
When Unicorns assail'd,
Then to my Brethren I'll proclaim
The Triumphs of thy holy Name;
And to the Saints repair,
Thy Glory to declare.

12 "Praise ye the LORD in Songs divine,
"Ye num'rous Race of Israel's Line;
"To him with Fervour pray,
"And low Obeisance pay:
"His People he hath ne'er disdain'd,
"Or turn'd his Face when they complain'd;
"But to their humble Pray'r,
"Doth lend a gracious Ear.

13 Thus in thy Courts, thy Name I'll bless,
And in loud Songs my Thanks express;
And to thy Saints declare,
Thy providential Care.
The meek Companions of my Grief,
Shall at my Table find Relief;
And all who seek thy Face,
Shall find refreshing Grace.

14 Then shall the World their Homage pay,
To GOD, and his Commands obey;
His Pow'r they shall confess,
And Pray'rs to him address.
From Kings Submission to receive,
In his supreme Prerogative,
Who doth the Worlds sustain;
And over all Things reign.

15 The Rich his Bounty must confess,
The Poor their gen'rous Patron bless;
To him they all resort,
For Succour and Support:
Then shall a Race exalt his Name,
And to their Heirs his Truth proclaim,
"Till Heav'n and Earth combin'd,
Are all to GOD resign'd.

Text Information

• First Line: My GOD! my GOD! why leav'st thou me
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1767
• Scripture:
  Psalm 22
• Topic: Prayers: When surrounded by Enemies; Prophecies: Of Jesus Christ, concerning his Humiliation and Exultation

Tune Information

• Name: [My God! my God! why leav'st thou me]
• Key: d minor