For the music director; according to the tune “Morning Doe;” a psalm of David.

22:1 My God, my God, why do you reject me? I groan in prayer, but help seems far away.

22:2 My God, I cry out during the day, but you do not answer, and during the night my prayers do not let up.

22:3 You are sovereign; you sit as king over the worshiping community of Israel.

22:4 In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted in you and you rescued them.

22:5 To you they cried out, and they were saved; in you they trusted and they were not disappointed.

22:6 But I feel like a worm, not a man; people insult me and despise me.

22:7 All who see me taunt me; they mock me and shake their heads.

22:8 They say, “Commit yourself to the Lord! Let the Lord rescue him! Let the Lord deliver him, for he delights in him.”

22:9 Yes, you are the one who pulled me from the womb, and made me feel secure on my mother’s breasts.

22:10 I have been dependent on you since birth; from the time I came out of my mother’s womb you have been my God.

22:11 Do not remain far away from me, for trouble is near and I have no one to help me.

22:12 Many bulls surround me; powerful bulls of Bashan hem me in.

22:13 They get ready to devour me like a roaring lion that rips its prey.

22:14 My strength drains away like water; all my bones are dislocated; my courage is like wax; it melts away inside me.

22:15 The roof of my mouth is as dry as a piece of pottery; my tongue sticks to my gums. You are making me descend into the grave.

22:16 Yes, wild dogs surround me — a gang of evil men crowd around me; like a lion they pin my hands and feet to the ground.

22:17 I can count all my bones; my enemies are gloating over me in triumph.