Psalms Chapter 22 · Verse 1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Original Language Analysis
אֵ֭לִי
My God
H410
אֵ֭לִי
My God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
1 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
אֵ֭לִי
My God
H410
אֵ֭לִי
My God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
2 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
לָמָ֣ה
H4100
לָמָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי
why hast thou forsaken
H5800
עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי
why hast thou forsaken
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
4 of 8
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
רָח֥וֹק
me why art thou so far
H7350
רָח֥וֹק
me why art thou so far
Strong's:
H7350
Word #:
5 of 8
remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)
מִֽ֝ישׁוּעָתִ֗י
from helping
H3444
מִֽ֝ישׁוּעָתִ֗י
from helping
Strong's:
H3444
Word #:
6 of 8
something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
Cross References
Mark 15:34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?Matthew 27:46And 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?Hebrews 5:7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;Psalms 22:16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.Job 3:24For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.Luke 24:44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.1 Samuel 12:22For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.Psalms 10:1Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?Psalms 71:11Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
Historical Context
Written by David during intense persecution, possibly during Absalom's rebellion or Saul's pursuit. The historical context involved physical danger and profound betrayal by those David trusted. Ancient Near Eastern lament literature commonly addressed the "hidden god" theme—deities who seemed absent during crisis. However, Israelite faith maintained that Yahweh remains covenant-faithful even when circumstances suggest otherwise. This psalm was regularly used in Jewish worship, demonstrating that questioning God's presence isn't faithlessness but honest wrestling within relationship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's use of this verse on the cross reveal the depth of His identification with human suffering and divine judgment for sin?
- What does it mean to cry "My God" while asking "why have you forsaken me"—maintaining relationship amid felt abandonment?
Analysis & Commentary
This cry of desolation represents one of Scripture's most profound prophetic utterances, quoted by Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). The Hebrew word for "forsaken" (עָזַב/'azab) conveys abandonment, leaving behind, desertion. David's cry from personal anguish became Christ's cry as He bore humanity's sin, experiencing genuine separation from the Father. The doubling "My God, my God" intensifies the pathos—this isn't distant deity but intimate relationship now broken. The psalm's shift from "My God" to "why art thou" reveals the mystery: God remains "my God" even when experienced as absent. This verse establishes the pattern of lament psalms: honest expression of anguish while maintaining covenant relationship. The "words of my roaring" (שְׁאָגָה/she'agah) uses animal imagery—not quiet prayer but desperate, primal groaning.