Psalms 22:2
O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Original Language Analysis
אֱֽלֹהַ֗י
O my God
H430
אֱֽלֹהַ֗י
O my God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
1 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֶקְרָ֣א
I cry
H7121
אֶקְרָ֣א
I cry
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
2 of 9
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַעֲנֶ֑ה
but thou hearest
H6030
תַעֲנֶ֑ה
but thou hearest
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
5 of 9
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
וְ֝לַ֗יְלָה
not and in the night season
H3915
וְ֝לַ֗יְלָה
not and in the night season
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְֽלֹא
H3808
וְֽלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Luke 18:7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?Psalms 42:3My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?Psalms 88:1O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:Matthew 26:44And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.1 Thessalonians 3:10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?Luke 6:12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.2 Timothy 1:3I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;Psalms 80:4O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?Lamentations 3:44Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.Lamentations 3:8Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.
Historical Context
David likely wrote this during persecution, but the language transcends his experience, prophetically describing Christ's crucifixion. Jesus' quotation of verse 1 on the cross (Matt. 27:46) identifies Him as the ultimate Sufferer this psalm describes.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain faith when God seems silent to your persistent prayers?
- What does Christ's experience of divine abandonment reveal about the cost of your redemption?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This cry of apparent divine absence captures the mystery of unanswered prayer and spiritual darkness. The tension between crying 'in the daytime' and 'in the night season' emphasizes unrelenting anguish. Reformed theology acknowledges that God sovereignly ordained Christ's abandonment on the cross (Matt. 27:46) to accomplish redemption. God's silence to the suffering Savior secured God's attentive hearing to believing sinners. This verse demonstrates that persistent prayer pleases God even when immediate answers don't come.