To the director: To the tune “The Deer of Dawn.” A song of David.
1My God, my God, why have you left me?
You seem too far away to save me,
too far to hear my cries for help!
2My God, I kept calling by day,
and I was not silent at night.
But you did not answer me.
3God, you are the Holy One.
You sit as King upon the praises of Israel.
4Our ancestors trusted you.
Yes, they trusted you, and you saved them.
5They called to you for help and escaped their enemies.
They trusted you and were not disappointed!
6But I feel like a worm, less than human!
People insult me and look down on me.
7Everyone who sees me makes fun of me.
They shake their heads and stick out their tongues at me.
8They say, “Call to the LORD for help.
Maybe he will save you.
If he likes you so much, surely he will rescue you!”
9God, the truth is, you are the one who brought me into this world.
You made me feel safe while I was still at my mother’s breasts.
10You have been my God since the day I was born.
I was thrown into your arms as I came from my mother’s womb.
11So don’t leave me!
Trouble is near, and there is no one to help me.
12My enemies surround me like angry bulls.
They are like the powerful bulls of Bashan, and they are all around me.
13Their mouths are opened wide,
like a lion roaring and tearing at its prey.
14My strength is gone,
like water poured out on the ground.
My bones have separated.
My courage is gone.
15My mouth is as dry as a piece of baked pottery.
My tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth.
You have left me dying in the dust.
16The “dogs” are all around me—
a pack of evil people has trapped me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
17I can see each one of my bones.
My enemies are looking at me;
they just keep staring.
18They divide my clothes among themselves,
and they throw lots for what I am wearing.
19LORD, don’t leave me!
You are my strength—hurry and help me!
20Save me from the sword.
Save my precious life from these dogs.
21Rescue me from the lion’s mouth.
Protect me from the horns of the bulls.
22I will tell my people about you.
I will praise you in the great assembly.
23Praise the LORD, all you who worship him!
Honor him, you descendants of Jacob!
Fear and respect him, all you people of Israel!
24He does not ignore those who need help.
He does not hate them.
He does not turn away from them.
He listens when they cry for help.
25Lord, because of you I offer praise in the great assembly.
In front of all these worshipers I will do all that I promised.
26Poor people, come eat and be satisfied.
You who have come looking for the LORD, praise him!
May your hearts be happy forever.
27May those in faraway countries remember the LORD and come back to him.
May those in distant lands worship him,
28because the LORD is the King.
He rules all nations.
29The people have eaten all they wanted
and bowed down to worship him.
Yes, everyone will bow down to him—
all who are on the way to the grave, unable to hold on to life.
30Our descendants will serve him.
Those who are not yet born will be told about him.
31Each generation will tell their children
about the good things the Lord has done.