Log inSign up

Favor · the best way to learn the Bible

Psalm 22 Bible study: My God, my God

The psalm turns on one word: in Hebrew "you have rescued me" (22:21) is the verb of "you don’t answer" (22:2), and praise follows. And the New Testament sets three of its lines at Jesus: its first cry (Matthew 27:46), the lots for his clothing (John 19:24), and its praise among his brothers (Hebrews 2:12).

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekWhat is Favor?

First week free, then $10 a month per person

“For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, neither has he hidden his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard.”
Psalm 22:24 · World English Bible

Try it · Did you catch it?

“In Psalm 22, the mockers say, "He trusts in the LORD. Let him deliver him."”

Is that in Psalm 22, or not? Make your call.

What's really going on

Forsaken, and still my God

In the text

The title reads "For the Chief Musician; set to “The Doe of the Morning.” A Psalm by David." (22:1). Then the psalm's first words are a question: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (22:1) (tap forsaken). Here is what almost everyone misses: the one who asks why he is forsaken keeps saying my. "My God, I cry in the daytime, but you don’t answer" (22:2), and later, "You are my God since my mother bore me" (22:10). In the WEB he says "my God" four times in the first ten verses. In the same breath he says, "But you are holy" (22:3), and remembers, "Our fathers trusted in you. They trusted, and you delivered them" (22:4) (tap trusted). He brings his complaint to God himself: "But you brought me out of the womb" (22:9), "You have brought me into the dust of death" (22:15), "But don’t be far off, LORD. You are my help" (22:19).

Where it leads to Jesus

My God, my God

In the text

Psalms 22:1leads toMatthew 27:46

The psalm begins, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?" (Psalm 22:1). At the cross there was darkness "from the sixth hour" (Matthew 27:45), and "About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”" (Matthew 27:46). In the WEB his words are the psalm's first line, word for word. Mark tells the same cry (Mark 15:34). Neither Gospel names the psalm or explains the cry.

Honest questions

Questions people ask about Psalm 22

That was a taste

The rest of Psalm 22 is waiting in Favor

  • The turn comes in one word
  • From one voice to the ends of the earth
  • The psalm beside the cross
  • "Don’t be far"
  • 11 questions as you read
  • 14 more Hebrew words
  • A short check at the end
  • Your notes, saved as you go
Start your free week

Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Psalm 22 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.

The Hebrew word behind it

עָזַבazavsay a-ZAV

Brown-Driver-Briggs: "leave, forsake, loose". Strong's: "to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit". "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (22:1). In Hebrew the question is four words, eli eli lamah azavtani, and the last is this verb with me joined to it. Another psalm with a title naming David prays with it: "Don’t forsake me, LORD. My God, don’t be far from me" (Psalm 38:21). On the cross Jesus cried the psalm's words (Matthew 27:46).

For your group

Psalm 22 Bible study questions

  1. 1The psalm asks, "why have you forsaken me?" (22:1), and still calls God "My God" in the same breath. Have you ever prayed that honestly? What helps you keep speaking to God when he seems far away?
  2. 2"He trusts in the LORD. Let him deliver him" (22:8). When has your trust in God been questioned, by other people or by your own thoughts? What did you do with it?
  3. 3The psalm ends with people not yet born being told "for he has done it" (22:31). Who first told you about the Lord, and who might hear it from you?

Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Psalm 22 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.

Start a Bible study
Free quizTake the Psalm 22 quizQuestions with the answers explained, for your group or your familyFree printablePrint this Bible studyOne page: the chapter, the verse, and the questions with room to write

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions

What is Favor?

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.

How much does it cost?

Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.

Can I read Psalm 22 straight away?

Favor takes the Bible as one story, in order, so you'll reach Psalm 22 with everything that leads up to it in view. Start from Genesis, or meet Jesus first in the Gospels. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.

Do I need a group?

No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.

I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?

Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.

Which Bible does Favor use?

The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.

Is Favor tied to a church?

No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.

Start with Psalm 22

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

All Bible study guides

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home