Forsaken, Yet Delivered

Psalms 21

This psalm cries out to God as forsaken while mockers surround him like bulls, lions, and dogs, describing his hands and feet pierced and his garments divided by lot, then turns to praise as it closes in confidence that the Lord has heard him and that all nations and generations to come will turn to worship him.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

Thomson—

BrentonFor the end, concerning the morning aid, a Psalm of David.

GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀντιλήψεως τῆς ἑωθινῆς, ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυίδ.

KJV—

JPSFor the Leader; upon Aijeleth ha-Shahar. A Psalm of David.

ThomsonO GOD, my God! attend to me! why hast Thou forsaken me? have the acts of my transgressions [removed Thee] far from saving me?

BrentonO God, my God, attend to me: why hast thou forsaken me? the account of my transgressions is far from my salvation.

GreekὉ Θεός ὁ Θεός μου, πρόσχες μοι, ἱνατί ἐγκατέλιπές με; μακρὰν ἀπὸ τῆς σωτηρίας μου οἱ λόγοι τῶν παραπτωμάτων μου.

KJVMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

JPSMy God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me, and art far from my help at the words of my cry?

ThomsonO my God, shall I cry to Thee by day, and Thou not listen, and by night, and Thou not hear me?

BrentonO my God, I will cry to thee by day, but thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be accounted for folly to me.

GreekΟ Θεός μου, κεκράξομαι ἡμέρας πρὸς σὲ καὶ οὐκ εἰσακούσῃ, καὶ νυκτὸς καὶ οὐκ εἰς ἄνοιαν ἐμοί.

KJVO my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

JPSO my God, I call by day, but Thou answerest not; and at night, and there is no surcease for me.

ThomsonThou indeed dwellest in a holy place; Thou art the praise of Israel.

BrentonBut thou, the praise of Israel, dwellest in a sanctuary.

GreekΣὺ δὲ ἐν ἁγίῳ κατοικεῖς, ὁ ἔπαινος τοῦ Ἰσραήλ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonIn Thee our fathers placed their trust—they trusted and Thou didst deliver them.

BrentonOur fathers hoped in thee; they hoped, and thou didst deliver them.

GreekἘπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισαν οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν, ἤλπισαν καὶ ἐῤῥύσω αὐτούς.

KJVOur fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

JPSIn Thee did our fathers trust; they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them.

ThomsonTo Thee they cried and they were saved; in Thee they trusted and were not put to shame.

BrentonThey cried to thee, and were saved: they hoped in thee, and were not ashamed.

GreekΠρὸς σὲ ἐκέκραξαν καὶ ἐσώθησαν, ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισαν καὶ οὐ κατῃσχύνθησαν.

KJVThey cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

JPSUnto Thee they cried, and escaped; in Thee did they trust, and were not ashamed.

ThomsonAs for me, I am a worm, and no man—the scorn of men and the people’s contempt.

BrentonBut I am a worm, and not a man; a reproach of men, and scorn of the people.

GreekἘγὼ δέ εἰμι σκώληξ καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος, ὄνειδος ἀνθρώπων καὶ ἐξουδένημα λαοῦ.

KJVBut I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

JPSBut I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

ThomsonAll that see me have laughed me to scorn; they said with their lips while they shook their head;

BrentonAll that saw me mocked me: they spoke with their lips, they shook the head, saying,

GreekΠάντες οἱ θεωροῦντές με ἐξεμυκτήρισάν με, ἐλάλησαν ἐν χείλεσιν, ἐκίνησαν κεφαλὴν,

KJVAll they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

JPS—

ThomsonHe trusted in the Lord, let him deliver him; let Him save him, since he delighteth in Him.

BrentonHe hoped in the Lord: let him deliver him, let him save him, because he takes pleasure in him.

Greekἤλπισεν ἐπὶ Κύριον, ῥυσάσθω αὐτὸν, σωσάτω αὐτὸν, ὅτι θέλει αὐτόν.

KJVHe trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

JPS'Let him commit himself unto the LORD! let Him rescue him; let Him deliver him, seeing He delighteth in him.'

ThomsonBecause Thou art He, who drew me forth from the womb: my hope, when at the breasts of my mother—

BrentonFor thou art he that drew me out of the womb; my hope from my mother's breasts.

GreekὍτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ἐκσπάσας με ἐκ γαστρὸς, ἡ ἐλπίς μου ἀπὸ μαστῶν τῆς μητρός μου,

KJVBut thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.

JPSFor Thou art He that took me out of the womb; Thou madest me trust when I was upon my mother's breasts.

ThomsonI was cast on Thy care from my very birth—from my mother’s womb Thou art my God; O stand not at a distance from me;

BrentonI was cast on thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.

Greekἐπὶ σὲ ἐπεῤῥίφην ἐκ μήτρας· ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου Θεός μου εἶ σύ.

KJVI was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.

JPSUpon Thee I have been cast from my birth; Thou art my God from my mother's womb.

Thomsonfor trouble is near—for there is no helper.

BrentonStand not aloof from me; for affliction is near; for there is no helper.

GreekΜὴ ἀποστῇς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ· ὅτι θλίψις ἐγγὺς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ βοηθῶν.

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

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

ThomsonMany bulls have encompassed me—fat bulls have beset me around.

BrentonMany bullocks have compassed me: fat bulls have beset me round.

GreekΠεριεκύκλωσάν με μόσχοι πολλοί, ταῦροι πίονες περιέσχον με.

KJVMany bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

JPSMany bulls have encompassed me; strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

ThomsonAgainst me they have opened their mouth, like a ravening and roaring lion.

BrentonThey have opened their mouth against me, as a ravening and roaring lion.

GreekἬνοιξαν ἐπʼ ἐμὲ τὸ στόμα αὐτῶν, ὡς λέων ὁ ἁρπάζων καὶ ὠρυόμενος.

KJVThey gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

JPSThey open wide their mouth against me, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

ThomsonI am poured out like water, and all my bones are torn asunder: my heart within me is melted like wax.

BrentonI am poured out like water, and all my bones are loosened: my heart in the midst of my belly is become like melting wax.

GreekὩσεὶ ὕδωρ ἐξεχύθην, καὶ διεσκορπίσθη πάντα τὰ ὀστᾶ μου, ἐγενήθη ἡ καρδία μου ὡσεὶ κηρὸς τηκόμενος ἐν μέσῳ τῆς κοιλίας μου.

KJVI am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

JPSI am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is become like wax; it is melted in mine inmost parts.

ThomsonMy strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my palate—Thou hast indeed brought me to the dust of death.

BrentonMy strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue is glued to my throat; and thou hast brought me down to the dust of death.

GreekἘξηράνθη ὡσεὶ ὄστρακον ἡ ἰσχύς μου, καὶ ἡ γλῶσσά μου κεκόλληται τῷ λάρυγγί μου, καὶ εἰς χοῦν θανάτου κατήγαγές με.

KJVMy strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

JPSMy strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my throat; and Thou layest me in the dust of death.

ThomsonBecause many dogs have encompassed me, an assembly of wicked men have beset me—have pierced my hands and my feet—

BrentonFor many dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked doers has beset me round: they pierced my hands and my feet.

GreekὍτι ἐκύκλωσάν με κύνες πολλοὶ, συναγωγὴ πονηρευομένων περιέσχον με· ὤρυξαν χεῖράς μου, καὶ πόδας,

KJVFor dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

JPSFor dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet.

Thomsonhave counted all my bones, and they have stared and looked at me;

BrentonThey counted all my bones; and they observed and looked upon me.

Greekἐξηρίθμησαν πάντα τὰ ὀστᾶ μου· αὐτοὶ δὲ κατενόησαν καὶ ἐπεῖδόν με.

KJVI may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

JPSI may count all my bones; they look and gloat over me.

Thomsonthey have parted my garments among them, and for my vesture have cast lots;

BrentonThey parted my garments among themselves, and cast lots upon my raiment.

GreekΔιεμερίσαντο τὰ ἱμάτιά μου ἑαυτοῖς, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν ἱματισμόν μου ἔβαλον κλῆρον.

KJVThey part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

JPSThey part my garments among them, and for my vesture do they cast lots.

Thomson—

BrentonBut thou, O Lord, remove not my help afar off: be ready for mine aid.

GreekΣὺ δὲ Κύριε μὴ μακρύνῃς τὴν βοήθειάν μου, εἰς τὴν ἀντίληψίν μου πρόσχες.

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

JPSBut Thou, O LORD, be not far off; O Thou my strength, hasten to help me.

Thomsonrescue my soul from the sword—this only begotten of mine from the paw of a dog.

BrentonDeliver my soul from the sword; my only-begotten one from the power of the dog.

GreekῬῦσαι ἀπὸ ῥομφαίας τὴν ψυχήν μου, καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς κυνὸς τὴν μονογενῆ μου.

KJVDeliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

JPSDeliver my soul from the sword; mine only one from the power of the dog.

ThomsonSave me from the mouth of a lion, and this lowliness of mine from the unicorn’s horns.

BrentonSave me from the lion's mouth; and regard my lowliness from the horns of the unicorns.

GreekΣῶσόν με ἐκ στόματος λέοντος, καὶ ἀπὸ κεράτων μονοκερώτων τὴν ταπείνωσίν μου.

KJVSave me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

JPSSave me from the lion's mouth; yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen do Thou answer me.

ThomsonI will declare Thy name to my brethren: in the midst of a congregation I will sing praise to Thee.

BrentonI will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I sing praise to thee.

GreekΔιηγήσομαι τὸ ὄνομά σου τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου, ἐν μέσῳ ἐκκλησίας ὑμνήσω σε.

KJVI will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

JPSI will declare Thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.

ThomsonPraise Him, ye who fear the Lord, praise Him, all ye seed of Jacob. Let all the seed of Israel fear Him;

BrentonYe that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye seed of Jacob, glorify him: let all the seed of Israel fear him.

GreekΟἱ φοβούμενοι Κύριον αἰνέσατε αὐτὸν, ἅπαν τὸ σπέρμα Ἰακὼβ δοξάσατε αὐτὸν, φοβηθήτωσαν αὐτὸν ἅπαν τὸ σπέρμα Ἰσραήλ.

KJVYe that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

JPS'Ye that fear the LORD, praise Him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; and stand in awe of Him, all ye the seed of Israel.

Thomsonfor He hath not slighted, nor abhorred the prayer of the distressed; nor turned away His face from me: but hearkened to me when I cried to Him.

BrentonFor he has not despised nor been angry at the supplication of the poor; nor turned away his face from me; but when I cried to him, he heard me.

GreekΟτι οὐκ ἐξουδένωσεν οὐδὲ προσώχθισε τῇ δεήσει τοῦ πτωχοῦ, οὐδὲ ἀπέστρεψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ· καὶ ἐν τῷ κεκραγέναι με πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰσήκουσέ μου.

KJVFor he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

JPSFor He hath not despised nor abhorred the lowliness of the poor; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto Him, He heard.'

ThomsonMy praise shall be of Thee in a great congregation: I will pay my vows before them who fear Him.

BrentonMy praise is of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

GreekΠαρὰ σοῦ ὁ ἔπαινός μου ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ μεγάλῃ, τὰς εὐχάς μου ἀποδώσω ἐνώπιον τῶν φοβουμένων αὐτόν.

KJVMy praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

JPSFrom Thee cometh my praise in the great congregation; I will pay my vows before them that fear Him.

ThomsonThe needy shall eat and be satisfied: and they who seek the Lord will praise Him. Their heart shall be forever alive.

BrentonThe poor shall eat and be satisfied; and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their heart shall live for ever.

GreekΦάγονται πένητες καὶ ἐμπλησθήσονται, καὶ αἰνέσουσι Κύριον οἱ ἐκζητοῦντες αὐτὸν, ζήσονται αἱ καρδίαι αὐτῶν εἰς αἰῶνα αἰῶνος.

KJVThe meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

JPSLet the humble eat and be satisfied; let them praise the LORD that seek after Him; may your heart be quickened for ever!

ThomsonAll the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before Him:

BrentonAll the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him.

GreekΜνησθήσονται καὶ ἐπιστραφήσονται πρὸς Κύριον πάντα τὰ πέρατα τῆς γῆς, καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ πᾶσαι αἱ πατριαὶ τῶν ἐθνῶν.

KJVAll the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

JPSAll the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the LORD; and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.

Thomsonfor the kingdom is the Lord’s and He ruleth the nations.

BrentonFor the kingdom is the Lord's; and he is the governor of the nations.

GreekὍτι τοῦ Κυρίου ἡ βασιλεία, καὶ αὐτὸς δεσπόζει τῶν ἐθνῶν.

KJVFor the kingdom is the LORD’s: and he is the governor among the nations.

JPSFor the kingdom is the LORD’S; and He is the ruler over the nations.

ThomsonAll the fat ones of the earth have eaten and worshipped: before Him shall bow all that go down to the dust. Let my soul therefore live for Him.

BrentonAll the fat ones of the earth have eaten and worshipped: all that go down to the earth shall fall down before him: my soul also lives to him.

GreekἜφαγον καὶ προσεκύνησαν πάντες οἱ πίονες τῆς γῆς· ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ προπεσοῦνται πάντες οἱ καταβαίνοντες εἰς τὴν γῆν· καὶ ἡ ψυχή μου αὐτῷ ζῇ,

KJVAll they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

JPSAll the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship; all they that go down to the dust shall kneel before Him, even he that cannot keep his soul alive.

ThomsonMy seed indeed will serve Him: a generation which is coming shall be announced for the Lord:

BrentonAnd my seed shall serve him: the generation that is coming shall be reported to the Lord.

Greekκαὶ τὸ σπέρμα μου δουλεύσει αὐτῷ· ἀναγγελήσεται τῷ Κυρίῳ γενεὰ ἡ ἐρχομένη·

KJVA seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

JPSA seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation.

Thomsonand they will proclaim His saving mercy to a people that shall be born, whom the Lord made.

BrentonAnd they shall report his righteousness to the people that shall be born, whom the Lord has made.

GreekΚαὶ ἀναγγελοῦσι τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ λαῷ τῷ τεχθησομένῳ, ὃν ἐποίησεν ὁ Κύριος.

KJVThey shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

JPSThey shall come and shall declare His righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done it.