Psalms 22:1

The expostulation of astonishment and perplexity, not a demand for explanation. Faith and despair are wrestling in the Psalmist's mind. Faith can still claim God as -my God," and does not cease its prayers; despair thinks itself forsaken. So Zion in her exile said, "Jehovah hath forsaken me, and the Lord hath forgotten me" (Isaiah 49:14). Cp. Psalms 13:1; Psalms 88:14. Godis El, and so in Psalms 22:10. Cp. Psalms 63:1, and note on Psalms 5:4.

Christ upon the Cross used the Aramaic version of these words, for Aramaic was His mother tongue. Eli(Matthew 27:46) is the Hebrew word, retained in the present text of the Targum: Eloi(Mark 15:34) the Aramaic. The best MSS. have Eloiin Matt. also.

Why art thou so far&c. The alternative rendering in R.V. marg., far from my help are the words of my roaring, follows the construction adopted by the LXX, Vulg., and Jer. But it is harsh, even if my help(or my salvation) is taken to mean God Himself (Psalms 35:3); and the rendering in the text appears to give the sense correctly. Cp. Psalms 10:1; and Psalms 22:11; Psalms 22:19.

my roaring The groaning of the sufferer in his distress is compared to the lion's roar. Cp. Psalms 32:3; Psalms 38:8.