Psalm 22 11

Psalm 22:11 kjv

Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

Psalm 22:11 nkjv

Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help.

Psalm 22:11 niv

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

Psalm 22:11 esv

Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.

Psalm 22:11 nlt

Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
and no one else can help me.

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 11 Meaning

Psalm 22:11 is a fervent plea from a deeply distressed individual to God for His immediate presence and aid. The verse underscores an urgent sense of danger and complete isolation, as the psalmist explicitly states that trouble is imminent and there is no human helper available. It conveys a profound and desperate reliance on God as the sole source of refuge and salvation in a moment of utter despair.

Psalm 22 11 Context

Psalm 22 is a deeply prophetic and poignant lament, traditionally attributed to David, which portrays the extreme suffering and subsequent vindication of a righteous individual. It is profoundly significant in Christian theology for its direct foreshadowing of Jesus Christ's crucifixion, passion, and ultimate triumph. The psalm begins with the agonizing cry, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" (Ps 22:1), setting a tone of profound anguish and abandonment. Verse 11 appears within the initial lament (Ps 22:1-21), following a description of the psalmist's trusting relationship with God since birth (Ps 22:9-10). Having recounted a history of dependence, the psalmist then reiterates the current, desperate need for God's active presence. The verse functions as an immediate appeal amidst mounting despair, reflecting the speaker's deteriorating physical and social circumstances described in surrounding verses, where enemies surround and mock him, leaving him feeling utterly exposed and helpless. Historically, David likely penned this during a period of intense personal crisis and persecution, experiencing feelings of abandonment and profound distress. For the original audience, it resonated with anyone enduring hardship, encouraging prayer and total reliance on Yahweh even when human support vanishes, while implicitly affirming Yahweh as the sole and supreme helper against the false reliance on idols or human strength often prevalent in the surrounding pagan cultures.

Psalm 22 11 Word analysis

• "Be not far from me;"
  • Original Hebrew: אַל־תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי (`al-tirḥaq mimmennī`).
  • `'al-tirḥaq` means "do not be far" or "do not distance Yourself." It is a negative imperative, a direct command or earnest plea to God.
  • `mimmennī` means "from me."
  • Significance: This is a prayer for divine immanence, not merely abstract awareness, but active, immediate, and salvific presence. The perceived "distance" implies an absence of active intervention, a silent or withdrawn God. It conveys a deep dread of God's abandonment, highlighting His presence as essential for existence and survival.
• "for trouble is near;"
  • Original Hebrew: כִּי־צָרָה קְרוֹבָה (`kī-ṣārāh qerôḇāh`).
  • `kī` means "for" or "because," providing the reason for the urgent plea.
  • `ṣārāh` refers to "trouble, distress, anguish, affliction, adversity." It denotes a compressed or constricted state, often implying emotional and physical pain, reflecting the Hebrew root for narrowness.
  • `qerôḇāh` means "near, close, at hand, imminent."
  • Significance: The imminence of "trouble" intensifies the urgency of the plea. It's not a potential future threat, but a present or rapidly approaching crisis. This immediate danger renders any distant help ineffective, underscoring the need for God's swift intervention.
• "for there is none to help."
  • Original Hebrew: כִּי אֵין־עוֹזֵר (`kī ’êyn-‘ōzêr`).
  • `kī` means "for" or "because," reinforcing the reason.
  • `’êyn` means "there is no, none, nothing." It expresses absolute negation.
  • `‘ōzêr` (from `‘āzar`) means "helper, one who aids, supports, succors." It specifically refers to human assistance or earthly alliances.
  • Significance: This declaration reveals a complete absence of human recourse or earthly support. It is not just that help is scarce, but that it is non-existent. This extreme vulnerability drives the psalmist's entire reliance on God alone. This statement implicitly asserts Yahweh's unparalleled and exclusive power to deliver when all other sources fail.

• "Be not far from me; for trouble is near;"
  • This phrase establishes the core of the lament: a desperate yearning for God's presence driven by an overwhelming sense of immediate danger. The spatial "far" reflects a felt theological absence in the time of dire need, emphasizing that a remote deity cannot suffice for an imminent threat. This reflects the reality that for God's people, the most devastating fear is often His perceived absence or silence during affliction.
• "for trouble is near; for there is none to help."
  • These two clauses act as compelling justifications for the initial plea, forming a syllogistic cry for help. The 'nearness of trouble' provides the context of the crisis, while 'none to help' underscores the absolute need for divine, not human, intervention. This reinforces the unique role of God as the ultimate deliverer, a powerful assertion of monotheistic dependence in contrast to polytheistic reliance on various lesser deities or human patrons. The psalmist is stripped of all other support, leaving God as the sole hope.

Psalm 22 11 Bonus section

This verse reflects a common biblical pattern: when human strength or alliances prove futile, the righteous individual's gaze is turned singularly to God. It highlights the divine attribute of being an 'ever-present help in trouble' (Ps 46:1), emphasizing God's unique capacity to intervene where human efforts cease. In theological terms, it speaks to divine sovereignty and immanence, acknowledging that God is both supreme and intimately involved in His creation. The prophetic fulfillment of Psalm 22 in Christ emphasizes that even the Son of God, in His humanity, endured the depths of human abandonment and vulnerability to provide salvation, thereby truly empathizing with every desperate plea from His followers who feel similarly alone. His cry from the cross ("My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?") draws upon the very human experience of Ps 22, showcasing complete identification with our deepest agonies while modeling perfect reliance on the Father.

Psalm 22 11 Commentary

Psalm 22:11 encapsulates a core theme of dependence and isolation central to the psalms of lament. The cry "Be not far from me" reveals a perceived distance from God during overwhelming distress. This isn't necessarily God's actual withdrawal, but the experience of His perceived silence or inaction when desperately needed. The "trouble" is described as "near," indicating an immediate, inescapable crisis, which could be physical torment, emotional anguish, or existential threat. Crucially, the statement "for there is none to help" amplifies the psalmist's extreme vulnerability and desolation. This total lack of human support elevates the plea to God to an ultimate act of faith, affirming Him as the exclusive, indispensable source of salvation. This verse, read messianically, underscores the profound, unique suffering of Christ on the cross, who faced not only physical and spiritual agony but also a singular sense of abandonment by humanity and a perceived separation from His Father, yet maintained His trust in God alone. It serves as a profound call to remember God's sufficiency when all other avenues fail.