Psalm 22 19

Psalm 22:19 kjv

But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Psalm 22:19 nkjv

But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me!

Psalm 22:19 niv

But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

Psalm 22:19 esv

But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

Psalm 22:19 nlt

O LORD, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 19 Meaning

Psalm 22:19 is a fervent and urgent plea from a suffering individual to the Sovereign God. It expresses a deep dependence on God as the sole source of strength and help in a time of extreme distress, urging Him to draw near quickly and provide immediate intervention rather than remain distant. It reflects a desperate yet faith-filled cry for divine rescue amidst overwhelming despair.

Psalm 22 19 Context

Psalm 22 is a profound Messianic lament that graphically depicts the intense suffering and apparent abandonment experienced by the psalmist, often identified with David, who prefigures Christ. The first half of the psalm (vv. 1-21), in which verse 19 falls, describes extreme physical and emotional torment, surrounded by hostile enemies. The psalmist feels like he is "poured out like water," with bones out of joint, and his heart like "melted wax." Enemies mock, gaze, and cast lots for his clothing. This verse acts as a direct, desperate appeal for immediate divine intervention, juxtaposed against the backdrop of utter helplessness and the taunts of oppressors. It's a prayer born of desperation, clinging to God as the only possible rescuer from an inescapable predicament, bridging the laments with the anticipation of God's action.

Psalm 22 19 Word analysis

• But You, O LORD:

  • "But You" (Hebrew: 'Attah - אַתָּה): This serves as a strong contrasting conjunction. It shifts the focus abruptly from the previous descriptions of overwhelming enemies and dire circumstances (vv. 12-18) back to God. It highlights a conscious turn in the psalmist's mind and prayer—away from despair, towards divine intervention.
  • "O LORD" (Hebrew: Yahweh - יְהוָה): The sacred covenant name of God. By addressing God as Yahweh, the psalmist appeals to God's character as the faithful, personal, unchanging, and powerful covenant-keeping God. It’s an assertion of faith that despite present feelings, God's nature remains trustworthy.

• do not be far from Me:

  • "do not be far" (Hebrew: Al Tirchaq Mimmenni - אַל־תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי): This is an emphatic negative imperative. The literal meaning is "do not remove Yourself" or "do not distance Yourself." It expresses the intense feeling of abandonment and perceived divine inaction that permeates the earlier verses (Ps 22:1: "Why are You so far?"). The prayer is not about physical distance, but about experiential and functional distance—a plea for God to cease being an onlooker and to actively engage with the suffering. It seeks God's tangible presence and intervention.

• O My Strength:

  • "O My Strength" (Hebrew: 'Eyalti - אֱיָלוּתִי): This is a unique and poetic term for "strength" or "might," possibly linked to a strong, sure-footed animal like a stag or ram. It signifies God as the personal, vigorous source of resilience and firm support in dire weakness. It portrays God as the singular robust power from which the psalmist can draw aid. The possessive "My" emphasizes an intimate, personal reliance.

• hasten to help Me!:

  • "hasten" (Hebrew: Chūshāh - חֽוּשָׁה): This verb conveys urgency and speed. The psalmist's situation is so critical that any delay feels catastrophic. It's a cry for immediate and decisive action from God.
  • "to help Me!" (Hebrew: La'ăzārātī - לְעֶזְרָתִי): This refers to active, practical aid, assistance, or deliverance. The psalmist is not asking for comfort alone, but for direct, saving intervention from his distress and enemies.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me": This phrase starkly contrasts the perceived distance of God with the deep desire for His active, covenantal presence. It shows that even in feeling forsaken, the speaker knows to whom to appeal. It underscores a persistent faith despite circumstances, recognizing Yahweh as the only true hope.
  • "O My Strength, hasten to help Me!": This is a direct, urgent, and intimate appeal to God as the exclusive source of power and rescue. It combines personal dependence ("My Strength") with a demand for immediate divine action ("hasten to help Me"). The very real threat prompts an equally real, desperate, and quick plea for salvation.

Psalm 22 19 Bonus section

The rare use of 'Eyalti (My Strength) highlights the psalmist's unique, deep personal connection and reliance on God. This word implies a steadfast and reliable help, almost as a "sure-footedness" in a treacherous situation. The entire verse functions as a transition, moving the psalmist, and the reader, from utter despair towards the expectant faith that precedes the psalm's triumphant turn to praise in later verses. This plea for proximity and swift aid emphasizes God's immanence—His active involvement in the world and in the lives of His people—even when His presence feels distant. It's not just a theological statement, but a deeply personal, relational request.

Psalm 22 19 Commentary

Psalm 22:19 is a desperate yet faithful outcry in the midst of extreme affliction. It serves as a crucial hinge in Psalm 22, bridging the deep laments of perceived divine abandonment and the surrounding torment with an explicit plea for immediate divine intervention. Despite the profound sense of forsakenness articulated earlier, the psalmist's prayer still holds firmly to Yahweh, God of the covenant, addressing Him as "My Strength." This demonstrates an enduring, radical dependence and trust. The request "do not be far" reflects the spiritual and physical agony of feeling God's absence, while "hasten to help" is an urgent cry for decisive, powerful deliverance from an immediate threat. For the Christian, this verse powerfully foreshadows Jesus' fervent prayers and complete reliance on His Father during His passion, illustrating that even in the darkest hours, true strength is found in clinging to God for His quick and potent salvation. It exemplifies a paradox: the pain of perceived distance yet the faith to call upon Him who is ever near in Spirit and power.