Psalm 22 (Rhyming)

[image by Didier Descouens]

God of mine, why did you abandon me?
These groans of mine are far from victory.
I cry out to you by day with no replies,
I can’t sleep at night and resume my cries.
Yet your holiness continues always,
You abide in Israel’s songs of praise.
Our forefathers placed their trust in your name,
And to their rescue is how the Lord came.
You rescued them when they cried out to thee,
They trusted in you and were not displeased.

But I’m a maggot—I am a disgrace,
I don’t even fit in the human race.
People see me and start sneering away,
They shake their heads at me and then they say:
“Run to your God, let him save you and such,
Maybe he’ll help, since you love him so much.”

From the womb you caused my life to emerge,
Since I was nursing you caused my trust to surge.
Ever since my birth I belonged to you,
You’ve been my God ever since my debut.

Don’t be far from me, for trouble is near,
There’s no one around to help me out here.
There are lots of bulls—they’re strong and surround me,
The bulls from Bashan are all around me.
They look right at me their eyes abhorring,
They open their mouths like lions roaring.
I am like water spilled out on the floor,
I am divided all down to my core.
This heart that I have is like wax inside,
It melts within me getting liquified.
My heart is dried up like a pot of clay,
Sticky and dried out, my tongue’s tucked away,
In the dust of death is where I now lay.
Dogs and evil surround me like a fleet,
They pierce me through my hands and through my feet.
Down to my bones I become made aware,
As they all look at me and start to glare.
Amongst themselves my clothes are divided,
Casting lots to see how it’s decided.

But you, oh Lord, are not far in distance,
Please come quickly and bring me assistance.
Protect my soul from the edge of the sword,
Save my only life from these dogs, oh Lord.
Save me when the lions try to slash me,
You help me when these bulls try to bash me.

I will promote you to all my brothers,
I’ll brag about you in front of others.
We should fear and praise the Existing One,
Glorify the Lord, all of Jacob’s sons,
Stand in awe of him and become undone.
God hasn’t ignored poor people’s distress,
For the poor, God’s presence isn’t suppressed,
God hears them when their concerns are expressed.

In church You compel me to worship thee,
I’ll make you vows where your people can see.
The afflicted will have their fill of food,
From those who seek God praises will exude,
With eternal life our hearts are imbued!
The ends of the earth will come back to God,
They’ll bow down to you: everyone abroad.
The Existing One is the only king,
He has dominion over everything.
The rich will be devoured and adore him,
Dead or alive, all will bow before him.
The future generations will serve him,
They’ll learn about the Lord and observe him.
The not-yet-born will hear of salvation,
And recognize God as its causation.