Psalms 22:11
Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 9
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּרְחַ֣ק
Be not far
H7368
תִּרְחַ֣ק
Be not far
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
2 of 9
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
מִ֭מֶּנִּי
H4480
מִ֭מֶּנִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 9
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 71:12O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.Psalms 72:12For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.Psalms 10:1Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?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 38:21Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.John 16:32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.Psalms 35:22This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
Historical Context
Soldiers about to die in battle would cry similar prayers. For Christ, this plea was fulfilled in the Father's ultimate presence through resurrection (Acts 2:27), turning temporary abandonment into eternal vindication.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's experience of divine distance guarantee you will never be ultimately abandoned?
- In times when God feels distant, how do you cling to the promise of His presence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The plea 'be not far from me' reflects the agony of perceived divine distance when 'trouble is near' and 'there is none to help.' This captures Christ's experience on the cross—abandoned by disciples, mocked by crowds, and (for a time) forsaken by the Father. Reformed theology sees this as the nadir of Christ's humiliation: the eternal Son experienced the ultimate loneliness of sin-bearing. His cry of dereliction purchased believers' eternal intimacy with God.