Psalm 22:1-31 ERV

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