For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David.
The Psalm of the Cross
Matthew 27:32–56; Mark 15:21–41; Luke 23:26–43; John 19:16–30
1My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?+ 2I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.+ 3Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.+ 4In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them.+ 5They cried out to You and were set free; they trusted in You and were not disappointed.+ 6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.+ 7All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:+ 8“He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”+ 9Yet You brought me forth from the womb; You made me secure at my mother’s breast.+ 10From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother’s womb You have been my God.+ 11Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.+ 12Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.+ 13They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul.+ 14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me.+ 15My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death.+ 16For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.+ 17I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me.+ 18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.+ 19But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.+ 20Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs.+ 21Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen You have answered me!+ 22I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; I will praise You in the assembly.+ 23You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All descendants of Jacob, honor Him! All offspring of Israel, revere Him!+ 24For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He has not hidden His face from him, but has attended to his cry for help.+ 25My praise for You resounds in the great assembly; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear You.+ 26The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise Him. May your hearts live forever!+ 27All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.+ 28For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.+ 29All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him— even those unable to preserve their lives.+ 30Posterity will serve Him; they will declare the Lord to a new generation.+ 31They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn — all that He has done.+