Psalms 22:2

What does Psalms 22:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 22:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 22:2 means

Building on his initial cry, the psalmist elaborates on the relentless nature of his distress, emphasizing that his fervent prayers for help are continuous, day and night, yet met with an unsettling silence from God. This unbroken supplication underscores the intensity of his anguish and the depth of his perceived abandonment. The lack of an answer compounds his suffering, making the silence itself a part of his torment, despite his refusal to cease calling out.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest not; And in the night season, and am not silent.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest not; And in the night season, and am not silent.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

O my God, I make my cry in the day, and you give no answer; and in the night, and have no rest.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

My God, I call by day, and Thou answerest not, And by night, and there is no silence to me.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

MyGod, I cry by day, and thou answerest not; and by night, and there is no rest for me:

Context

This verse reinforces the intensity and duration of the psalmist's suffering, a direct continuation of his opening lament. It broadens the scope of his distress from a single moment of perceived abandonment to a sustained period of unanswered prayer. This extended depiction of his pain prepares the reader for his subsequent plea for divine intervention and his later shift to praise.

v.1My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou sofar from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?

v.2This passage

v.3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 6:12

    And it came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:10

    night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

  • Psalms 55:16

    As for me, I will call upon God; And Jehovah will save me.

  • Lamentations 3:8

    Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer.

  • Luke 18:7

    And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?

  • Psalms 42:3

    My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

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