Text:

"1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. 3 Yet you are holy,     enthroned on the praises of Israel. 4 In you our fathers trusted;  they trusted, and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 6 But I am a worm and not a man,  scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. 10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God. 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. 12 Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13 they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— 17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; 18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. 19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! 20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! 21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! 22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. 25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. 28 For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. 30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it."

 

Lexicon:

vs. 1 - forsaken ('azab) - "to leave, to depart from, to abandon, to let go, to relinquish"

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vs. 3 - holy (qadowsh) - "clean, pure, set apart"

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vs. 5 - were not put to shame (buwsh) - "disappointed, disconcerted, to be failed in hope or expectation"

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vs. 9 - took (giyach) - "to draw forth, to bring forth"

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vs. 11 - be not far (rachaq) - "to be distant, to be removed, to recede from anyone"

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vs. 14 - poured out (shaphak) - "to spill forth, to gush out, weakness"

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vs. 24 - hidden (cathar) - "to be concealed, to lie hid from anyone, to turn away from anyone"

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vs. 24 - heard (shama') - "to hear with attention or interest, to listen, to understand, to yield, to give heed, to hear and answer"

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vs. 24 - when he cried to him (shava') - "to ask for aid, to implore, to cry out for help"

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vs. 27 - remember (zakar) - "to call to mind, to recollect, to consider"

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vs. 27 - turn (shuwb) - "to return, to go back, to be restored, to be brought back, to be refreshed"

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vs. 28 - kingship (meluwkah) - "dominion, to exercise rule and reign"

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What does this reveal about God's character?

God is attentive to His children.  He does not hide Himself, but is ever near us, ready to hear and answer when we cry out to Him.  God is sovereign.  Even when bad things happen, God is in control.  When it doesn't look like He's there, He is working on our behalf.  God upholds His Word.  This passage of Scripture, written by David when he was in hiding, is prophetic of the crucifixion of Christ over 1,000 years later.  What God has spoken, will always be fulfilled.  It may not be right now or even tomorrow, but He will fulfill the Word He has spoken.

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Questions:

1) Do I ever feel I have been forsaken by God - like He isn't near to me?  If so, what is the root of that?  Have I taken my eyes off of Him and placed them on the changing circumstances around me?  Or have I believed the lies of the enemy that I am alone in my hurt and pain?  What is the truth and how can I recall the Truth in those moments?

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2) Do I extol the Lord?  In what ways do I praise Him?

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3) Am I afraid to call out to God for help because I do not trust He will answer?

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4) Do I take God at His Word?  Or do I doubt the infallibility of the Word of God and the sovereignty of God's character?

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Prayer:

Father God, thank you for your presence that is always with me.  Thank you for the sacrifice, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ so that I don't have to ever be separated from you.  I praise you for your sovereignty, faithfulness and trustworthiness.  Forgive me, Lord, when I take my eyes off of you and place them on the uncertainties of the world.  Make me aware of the times I do this, and bring me back to your Truth.   I ask you, Father, to speak to me now.  Your servant is listening (pause and listen to God....what is saying to you?). Thank you, Lord, for hearing and answering me when I cry out to you.  Thank you for your peace that surpasses all understanding and that guards my heart and mind in Christ.  Keep my gaze fixed upon you and your Word, which lights my path.   I love you.  In Jesus' name, Amen.