Cry for Help

I found this image by Daniel Drew (a self-portrait) a very powerful way to convey the despair and desolation expressed at the beginning of Psalm 22. It is the experience of someone in the agonizing depths of isolation, who cries out to God for help and finds none.


As the Psalm progresses, the note of hope and trust in God begins to sound and turns into praise.


This psalm is often assoicated with the crucifixion of Jesus because he quotes the opening verse while hanging on the cross, feeling totally abandoned by God.


It is one of two psalms set for Morning Prayer today, but is often used on Good Friday - only a week ahead now.


Here is a video with extracts from Psalm 22 using the King James Version.

This post is the 38th in a series of daily Lenten reflections based on a Bible reading from the Common Worship Lectionary of the Church of England. This one is based on Psalm 22.

Image by Daniel Drew from here