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Mizmor 022 – The Morning Star
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל אַיֶּלֶת הַשַּׁחַר מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד: (ב) אֵ־לִי אֵ־לִי לָמָה עֲזַבְתָּנִי רָחוֹק מִישׁוּעָתִי דִּבְרֵי שַׁאֲגָתִי:
(1) For the musician, on the ayeles hashachar, a mizmor by David. (2) My G-d, my G-d, why have You forsaken me, [and remained] far from my yeshuah and my piercing cry.
NOTE: For a PDF of this mizmor, please click here. This will enable you to print out the entire text of the article. [Rev 6]
Key Concepts of Mizmor 022 – The Morning Star
The musical instrument ayeles hashachar (morning star) had a unique sound reminiscent of daybreak, beginning low and gradually building in intensity. This instrument expressed the emotions of Mizmor 022, beginning in a bleak mood of despair and ending joyfully with gratitude for Hashem’s help, accompanied by anticipation of a bright new dawn.
The morning star becomes visible shortly before dawn and therefore symbolizes the coming daybreak. Literally, it means the doe of the dawn, because it is thought of as a gentle female deer that becomes gradually visible in the night sky.
In the mizmor David visualizes a future time when the Jewish people are in an extended Exile, a time when it seems as though Hashem has abandoned us. Thus, the mizmor begins with the people desperately crying out to Hashem, bewailing how distant we have become from Him and pleading for Him to show us His favor once again. As the mizmor progresses, the nation has regained its confidence in the coming yeshuah (deliverance) and looks forward with optimism to the time when we will be able to show our gratitude to Him for saving us and ending the Exile. As the darkness turned to light before, surely it will do so again.
Exploring the Mizmor
PART 1. A DESPERATE CRY. The people of Yisrael cry out to Hashem, tearfully bewailing how distant we have become from Him and pleading for Him to show us His favor once again.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל אַיֶּלֶת הַשַּׁחַר מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד: (ב) אֵ־לִי אֵ־לִי לָמָה עֲזַבְתָּנִי רָחוֹק מִישׁוּעָתִי דִּבְרֵי שַׁאֲגָתִי: (ג) אֱלֹקַי אֶקְרָא יוֹמָם וְלֹא תַעֲנֶה וְלַיְלָה וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי: (ד) וְאַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ יוֹשֵׁב תְּהִלּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל: (ה) בְּךָ בָּטְחוּ אֲבֹתֵינוּ בָּטְחוּ וַתְּפַלְּטֵמוֹ: (ו) אֵלֶיךָ זָעֲקוּ וְנִמְלָטוּ בְּךָ בָטְחוּ וְלֹא בוֹשׁוּ: (ז) וְאָנֹכִי תוֹלַעַת וְלֹא אִישׁ חֶרְפַּת אָדָם וּבְזוּי עָם: (ח) כָּל רֹאַי יַלְעִגוּ לִי יַפְטִירוּ בְשָׂפָה יָנִיעוּ רֹאשׁ:
(1) For the musician, on the ayeles hashachar, a mizmor by David. (2) My G-d, my G-d, why have You forsaken me, [and remained] far from my yeshuah and my piercing cry. (3) O my G-d! I call out by day, but You do not answer. By night there is no stillness for me. (4) You are the Holy One, enthroned [upon] the praises of Yisrael. (5) Our fathers trusted In You; they trusted and You delivered them. (6) They cried out to You and they were rescued; they trusted in You they did not experience shame. (7) But [now] I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men, reviled by nations. (8) All who see me, jeer at me; they sneer with their lips, they wag their heads.
PART 2. A RAY OF HOPE. The people call upon their bitachon in Hashem and see a ray of hope in the possibility of restoring their ancient bond with their Creator.
(ט) גֹּל אֶל ה’ יְפַלְּטֵהוּ יַצִּילֵהוּ כִּי חָפֵץ בּוֹ: (י) כִּי אַתָּה גֹחִי מִבָּטֶן מַבְטִיחִי עַל שְׁדֵי אִמִּי: (יא) עָלֶיךָ הָשְׁלַכְתִּי מֵרָחֶם מִבֶּטֶן אִמִּי אֵ־לִי אָתָּה:
(9) The one who turns to Hashem, He will free him! He will rescue him, for He is pleased with him. (10) For You, [Hashem,] drew me forth from the womb, and made me secure at my mother’s breasts. (11) I was cast upon You from birth. From my mother’s womb You have been my G-d.
PART 3. A DESPERATE SITUATION. But the situation is desperate and the people express the urgency of a speedy redemption.
(יב) אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי כִּי צָרָה קְרוֹבָה כִּי אֵין עוֹזֵר: (יג) סְבָבוּנִי פָּרִים רַבִּים אַבִּירֵי בָשָׁן כִּתְּרוּנִי: (יד) פָּצוּ עָלַי פִּיהֶם אַרְיֵה טֹרֵף וְשֹׁאֵג: (טו) כַּמַּיִם נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי וְהִתְפָּרְדוּ כָּל עַצְמוֹתָי הָיָה לִבִּי כַּדּוֹנָג נָמֵס בְּתוֹךְ מֵעָי: (טז) יָבֵשׁ כַּחֶרֶשׂ כֹּחִי וּלְשׁוֹנִי מֻדְבָּק מַלְקוֹחָי וְלַעֲפַר מָוֶת תִּשְׁפְּתֵנִי: (יז) כִּי סְבָבוּנִי כְּלָבִים עֲדַת מְרֵעִים הִקִּיפוּנִי כָּאֲרִי יָדַי וְרַגְלָי: (יח) אֲסַפֵּר כָּל עַצְמוֹתָי הֵמָּה יַבִּיטוּ יִרְאוּ בִי: (יט) יְחַלְּקוּ בְגָדַי לָהֶם וְעַל לְבוּשִׁי יַפִּילוּ גוֹרָל:
(12) [Hashem,] be not distant from me because my trouble is near, there is nobody to help. (13) Multitudes of bulls beleaguer me, muscular bulls of Bashan, encircle me. (14) They snap open their mouths at me, [like] a ravaging lion that roars. (15) I am poured out like water. All my bones have become separated. My heart is like soft wax, melting within my innards. (16) My strength has dried up like pottery. My tongue cleaves to my palate. You have put me in the dust of death. (17) Dogs have beset me all around; a pack of evildoers has encircled me. Like a lion [they maul] my hands and my feet. (18) I can count each one of my bones; they look on and stare at me. (19) They divide my clothing among themselves. They cast lots for my garments.
PART 4. A PLEA FOR RESCUE. The people of Yisrael call upon Hashem to end the Exile now as He has done in the past.
(כ) וְאַתָּה ה’ אַל תִּרְחָק אֱיָלוּתִי לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה: (כא) הַצִּילָה מֵחֶרֶב נַפְשִׁי מִיַּד כֶּלֶב יְחִידָתִי: (כב) הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי מִפִּי אַרְיֵה וּמִקַּרְנֵי רֵמִים עֲנִיתָנִי:
(20) But You, Hashem, don’t distance Yourself. My Strength, hurry to my assistance. (21) Rescue my life from the sword , my unique existence from the grip of the dog. (22) Save me from the lion’s mouth as You have answered me [by saving me] from the horns of the re’eimim.
PART 5. ANTICIPATED GRATITUDE. The mood of Yisrael has been brightened by recalling the time when Hashem answered our tefillos. So now Yisrael anticipates the opportunity to thank Hashem for the yeshuah. The singer alternates between directly praising Hashem and calling upon his fellow Jews to sing His praise.
(כג) אֲסַפְּרָה שִׁמְךָ לְאֶחָי בְּתוֹךְ קָהָל אֲהַלְלֶךָּ: (כד) יִרְאֵי ה’ הַלְלוּהוּ כָּל זֶרַע יַעֲקֹב כַּבְּדוּהוּ וְגוּרוּ מִמֶּנּוּ כָּל זֶרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל: (כה) כִּי לֹא בָזָה וְלֹא שִׁקַּץ עֱנוּת עָנִי וְלֹא הִסְתִּיר פָּנָיו מִמֶּנּוּ וּבְשַׁוְּעוֹ אֵלָיו שָׁמֵעַ: (כו) מֵאִתְּךָ תְהִלָּתִי בְּקָהָל רָב נְדָרַי אֲשַׁלֵּם נֶגֶד יְרֵאָיו: (כז) יֹאכְלוּ עֲנָוִים וְיִשְׂבָּעוּ יְהַלְלוּ ה’ דֹּרְשָׁיו יְחִי לְבַבְכֶם לָעַד:
(23) [Hashem,] I will proclaim Your Name to my brethren, I will praise You in the midst of the assembly. (24) You [fellow Jews] who fear Hashem, praise Him! All you offspring of Yaakov, honor Him! Fear Him, all you offspring of Yisrael. (25) He neither spurned nor despised the cry of the destitute, and He did not conceal His face from him. When he cried out to Him, He heard. (26) [Hashem], because of You I give praise in a great assembly. [My fellow Jews,] I will fulfill my vows of gratitude in the presence of all who fear Him. (27) The humble people will eat to their fill, the people who seek Hashem will praise Him. May all of your hearts be of good cheer forever.
PART 6. A NEW DAWN. The singer visualizes the return of the Jewish people from Exile.
(כח) יִזְכְּרוּ וְיָשֻׁבוּ אֶל ה’ כָּל אַפְסֵי אָרֶץ וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ כָּל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת גּוֹיִם: (כט) כִּי לַה’ הַמְּלוּכָה וּמֹשֵׁל בַּגּוֹיִם: (ל) אָכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ כָּל דִּשְׁנֵי אֶרֶץ לְפָנָיו יִכְרְעוּ כָּל יוֹרְדֵי עָפָר וְנַפְשׁוֹ לֹא חִיָּה: (לא) זֶרַע יַעַבְדֶנּוּ יְסֻפַּר לַאדֹנָי לַדּוֹר: (לב) יָבֹאוּ וְיַגִּידוּ צִדְקָתוֹ לְעַם נוֹלָד כִּי עָשָׂה:
(28) They will remember and will return to Hashem [from] all the ends of the earth. [Hashem,] All the families of nations will bow down before You. (29) For the monarchy belongs to Hashem, and He rules the nations. (30) All who grow fat in the land eat, but they will bow down. All who descend to the dust will kneel before Him, but He will not revive the soul [of the unworthy]. (31) [Only regarding] the offspring [of Yisrael], the people that continually serve Him, will it be told that they [belong] to Hashem for all the generations. (32) They will come and relate His charitable act, which He has done to the newborn nation [of Yisrael].
Additional Thoughts
Mizmor 022 is the mizmor of the the ayeles hashachar, the morning star. Just as the morning star heralds the coming of dawn, so does our bitachon in the night of Exile herald the coming of the Geulah. The mizmor shows that our bitachon is activated by faithfully recalling the times when Hashem saved us in the past. (See verse 22.)
One of these times is celebrated during the month of Adar. In fact, the Gemara (Yoma 29a) associates the mizmor with Esther and the festival of Purim. Esther herself is compared by the Gemara to the female deer (ayalah) that symbolizes the morning star.
The transition from night to day is a gradual one, so that it is difficult to precisely determine the break of dawn. In the same way the conditions necessary for the Geulah are building up gradually and we cannot know when it will actually begin. However, we can be sure that those conditions are gradually building and one day we will be able to know with certainty that it has come. We will then better understand how the future Geulah was in development every day of our lives.
Learning the Mizmor
PART 1. A DESPERATE CRY.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל אַיֶּלֶת הַשַּׁחַר 
מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד:
This song has been prepared for the musician — לַמְנַצֵּחַ , who will perform it on the “ayeles hashachar” musical instrument — עַל אַיֶּלֶת הַשַּׁחַר . It is a mizmor that has been composed by David — מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד .
(ב) אֵ־לִי אֵ־לִי 
לָמָה עֲזַבְתָּנִי
[The nation of Yisrael is speaking:] My G-d, my G-d — אֵ־לִי אֵ־לִי ! You have been my strength, the One I relied on! Why have You forsaken me — לָמָה עֲזַבְתָּנִי – in this endless Exile?
רָחוֹק מִישׁוּעָתִי 
דִּבְרֵי שַׁאֲגָתִי:
Why do You keep Yourself so far from my yeshuah — רָחוֹק מִישׁוּעָתִי ? Why do You ignore the words of my piercing cry of pain — דִּבְרֵי שַׁאֲגָתִי ?
(ג) אֱלֹקַי אֶקְרָא יוֹמָם וְלֹא תַעֲנֶה 
וְלַיְלָה וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי:
O my G-d — אֱלֹקַי ! It cannot be because I have distanced myself from You. For it is to You that I call out every day — אֶקְרָא יוֹמָם – and yet You do not answer — וְלֹא תַעֲנֶה . I continue calling to You by night — וְלַיְלָה – for I cannot sleep and there is no stillness of the night for me — וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי . So why don’t You answer?
(ד) וְאַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ 
יוֹשֵׁב תְּהִלּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל:
You are the ultimate Holy One — וְאַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ , and yet You have not kept Yourself apart from Your nation. You have been enthroned upon the praises of Yisrael — יוֹשֵׁב תְּהִלּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל – when they thanked You for Your yeshuah ! So why don’t You do again as You have done so many times in the past?
(ה) בְּךָ בָּטְחוּ אֲבֹתֵינוּ 
בָּטְחוּ וַתְּפַלְּטֵמוֹ:
Always in times past our fathers trusted in You — בְּךָ בָּטְחוּ אֲבֹתֵינוּ – and found tranquility in Your care. And even in times of distress they trusted and You delivered them — בָּטְחוּ וַתְּפַלְּטֵמוֹ .
(ו) אֵלֶיךָ זָעֲקוּ וְנִמְלָטוּ 
בְּךָ בָטְחוּ וְלֹא בוֹשׁוּ:
They cried out to You and they were rescued — אֵלֶיךָ זָעֲקוּ וְנִמְלָטוּ . Because they trusted in You alone — בְּךָ בָטְחוּ , they did not experience the shame — וְלֹא בוֹשׁוּ – of having to depend on unstable enemies or worthless gods for mercy. On the contrary, to trust in You was their glory.
(ז) וְאָנֹכִי תוֹלַעַת וְלֹא אִישׁ 
חֶרְפַּת אָדָם וּבְזוּי עָם:
But now in this Exile I am perceived as a worm — וְאָנֹכִי תוֹלַעַת , and not even as a man — וְלֹא אִישׁ . I am scorned by every man — חֶרְפַּת אָדָם , who uses my name as an insult to humiliate others. I am reviled by every nation — וּבְזוּי עָם .
(ח) כָּל רֹאַי יַלְעִגוּ לִי 
יַפְטִירוּ בְשָׂפָה 
יָנִיעוּ רֹאשׁ:
All who see me, jeer at me — כָּל רֹאַי יַלְעִגוּ לִי . Mockingly, they make insulting noises with their lips — יַפְטִירוּ בְשָׂפָה ; they wag their heads — יָנִיעוּ רֹאשׁ – in derision.
PART 2. A RAY OF HOPE.
(ט) גֹּל אֶל ה’ 
יְפַלְּטֵהוּ יַצִּילֵהוּ 
כִּי חָפֵץ בּוֹ:
But I know that if one turns to Hashem — גֹּל אֶל ה’ and commits himself to serve Him, Hashem will free him — יְפַלְּטֵהוּ ! He will rescue him — יַצִּילֵהוּ , for He is pleased with him — כִּי חָפֵץ בּוֹ ! So why don’t You save me from this Exile now?
(י) כִּי אַתָּה גֹחִי מִבָּטֶן 
מַבְטִיחִי עַל שְׁדֵי אִמִּי:
I was committed to You from the moment that I came into this world. For You drew me from the womb — כִּי אַתָּה גֹחִי מִבָּטֶן , and made me secure at my mother’s breasts — מַבְטִיחִי עַל שְׁדֵי אִמִּי . You arranged my birth and my sustenance for the very first day of my life.
(יא) עָלֶיךָ הָשְׁלַכְתִּי מֵרָחֶם 
מִבֶּטֶן אִמִּי אֵ־לִי אָתָּה:
I was cast upon You from birth — עָלֶיךָ הָשְׁלַכְתִּי מֵרָחֶם – for even my mother is also totally dependent on You. Everything she gave me comes from You. From the time when I was in my mother’s womb You have been my G-d — מִבֶּטֶן אִמִּי אֵלִי אָתָּה . Just as You provided for my needs as an infant, so have You provided for me all my life. And so I depend on You to help me now.
PART 3. A DESPERATE SITUATION.
(יב) אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי 
כִּי צָרָה קְרוֹבָה 
כִּי אֵין עוֹזֵר:
You were close to me at birth. And now that I am suffering in Exile, don’t be distant from me — אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי . Firstly, because my trouble is near — כִּי צָרָה קְרוֹבָה – and the danger is immediate. And secondly, because there is nobody to help — כִּי אֵין עוֹזֵר . I myself have become helpless and, as always, I depend entirely on You.
(יג) סְבָבוּנִי פָּרִים רַבִּים 
אַבִּירֵי בָשָׁן כִּתְּרוּנִי:
The trouble is near because dangerous enemies beleaguer me — סְבָבוּנִי – on all sides like multitudes of angry bulls — פָּרִים רַבִּים . Those powerful foes, who are like the muscular bulls bred in the region of Bashan, encircle me — אַבִּירֵי בָשָׁן כִּתְּרוּנִי – as a crown encircles the head.
(יד) פָּצוּ עָלַי פִּיהֶם 
אַרְיֵה טֹרֵף וְשֹׁאֵג:
They angrily snap their mouths at me — פָּצוּ עָלַי פִּיהֶם – to frighten me into submission. They come at me with anger like a ravaging and roaring lion — אַרְיֵה טֹרֵף וְשֹׁאֵג .
(טו) כַּמַּיִם נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי
Living in a state of constant terror has made me completely helpless. I am poured out like water — כַּמַּיִם נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי – so that I no longer have the solidity and strength to defend myself.
וְהִתְפָּרְדוּ כָּל עַצְמוֹתָי 
הָיָה לִבִּי כַּדּוֹנָג 
נָמֵס בְּתוֹךְ מֵעָי:
All my bones have become separated — וְהִתְפָּרְדוּ כָּל עַצְמוֹתָי , so that I am at loose ends. My heart is like soft wax — הָיָה לִבִּי כַּדּוֹנָג , which is melting within my innards — נָמֵס בְּתוֹךְ מֵעָי – so that I have lost my resolve.
(טז) יָבֵשׁ כַּחֶרֶשׂ כֹּחִי 
וּלְשׁוֹנִי מֻדְבָּק מַלְקוֹחָי 
וְלַעֲפַר מָוֶת תִּשְׁפְּתֵנִי:
Because of my suffering my strength and my bodily juices have dried up like a shard of pottery — יָבֵשׁ כַּחֶרֶשׂ כֹּחִי . My mouth is so dry that my tongue cleaves to my palate — וּלְשׁוֹנִי מֻדְבָּק מַלְקוֹחָי – and so I am even unable to cry for help. If You continue to foresake me, my very blood will have dried out and You will have put me into the dust of death — וְלַעֲפַר מָוֶת תִּשְׁפְּתֵנִי , that is into the grave.
(יז) כִּי סְבָבוּנִי כְּלָבִים 
עֲדַת מְרֵעִים הִקִּיפוּנִי 
כָּאֲרִי יָדַי וְרַגְלָי:
My feeling of panic is intensified by my lesser foes who are like vicious dogs. They have beset me all around — כִּי סְבָבוּנִי כְּלָבִים – so that I cannot move. They are a pack of evildoers — עֲדַת מְרֵעִים – that has encircled me — הִקִּיפוּנִי . In their viciousness they attack me like a lion that mauls my hands and my feet — יָדַי וְרַגְלָי כָּאֲרִי – so that I can neither fight or flee.
(יח) אֲסַפֵּר כָּל עַצְמוֹתָי 
הֵמָּה יַבִּיטוּ יִרְאוּ בִי:
I am so starved that I can count each one of my bones — אֲסַפֵּר כָּל עַצְמוֹתָי ; it is they who have done this to me yet they look on and stare at me — הֵמָּה יַבִּיטוּ יִרְאוּ בִי – mockingly.
(יט) יְחַלְּקוּ בְגָדַי לָהֶם 
וְעַל לְבוּשִׁי יַפִּילוּ גוֹרָל:
They loot all my possessions, including the clothes on my back. They divide my clothing among themselves — יְחַלְּקוּ בְגָדַי לָהֶם – even before they get their hands on it. They cast lots for my fine garment — וְעַל לְבוּשִׁי יַפִּילוּ גוֹרָל – of royalty.
PART 4. A PLEA FOR RESCUE.
(כ) וְאַתָּה ה’ אַל תִּרְחָק 
אֱיָלוּתִי לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה:
But You, Hashem, You see all this. Don’t distance Yourself — וְאַתָּה ה’ אַל תִּרְחָק – from my tefillah. You are my Strength — אֱיָלוּתִי ; I have trusted only in You. So now I ask that You hurry to my assistance — לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה !
(כא) הַצִּילָה מֵחֶרֶב נַפְשִׁי 
מִיַּד כֶּלֶב יְחִידָתִי:
The life of my soul is the only thing that is left to me after they have stolen all that I own. Rescue my life from the sword — הַצִּילָה מֵחֶרֶב נַפְשִׁי . Save my unique existence in this world from the grip of the attack dog — מִיַּד כֶּלֶב יְחִידָתִי .
(כב) הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי מִפִּי אַרְיֵה 
וּמִקַּרְנֵי רֵמִים עֲנִיתָנִי:
Save me from the lion’s mouth — הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי מִפִּי אַרְיֵה – as You saved me from the horns of the re’eimim — וּמִקַּרְנֵי רֵמִים עֲנִיתָנִי , that is, from the warriors of Egypt that were pursuing my forefathers and were drowned in the sea.
PART 5. ANTICIPATED GRATITUDE.
(כג) אֲסַפְּרָה שִׁמְךָ לְאֶחָי 
בְּתוֹךְ קָהָל אֲהַלְלֶךָּ:
I now look forward with renewed trust to the time when I will proclaim Your Name to my brethren — אֲסַפְּרָה שִׁמְךָ לְאֶחָי – in gratitude for Your yeshuah, for then I will praise You in the midst of the assembly — בְּתוֹךְ קָהָל אֲהַלְלֶךָּ .
(כד) יִרְאֵי ה’ הַלְלוּהוּ 
כָּל זֶרַע יַעֲקֹב כַּבְּדוּהוּ
All of you who fear Hashem, praise Him — יִרְאֵי ה’ הַלְלוּהוּ ! Show your love all you offspring of Yaakov and honor Him — כָּל זֶרַע יַעֲקֹב כַּבְּדוּהוּ !
וְגוּרוּ מִמֶּנּוּ כָּל זֶרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל:
As for you who have not yet reached the level of love, you can still fear Him, all you offspring of Yisrael — וְגוּרוּ מִמֶּנּוּ כָּל זֶרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל ! At least if you fear Him you will not return to the path of sin!
(כה) כִּי לֹא בָזָה וְלֹא שִׁקַּץ עֱנוּת עָנִי
Hashem deserves your praise, love, and fear for despite His infinite greatness, He responds to the lowly man according to his level. When we were in Exile and were impoverished, He responded to each one no matter how wretched. He neither spurned nor despised — כִּי לֹא בָזָה וְלֹא שִׁקַּץ – the cry of the destitute — עֱנוּת עָנִי , despite his sins.
וְלֹא הִסְתִּיר פָּנָיו מִמֶּנּוּ 
וּבְשַׁוְּעוֹ אֵלָיו שָׁמֵעַ:
And He did not conceal His face from him entirely — וְלֹא הִסְתִּיר פָּנָיו מִמֶּנּוּ , but continued to protect him. And when he cried out to Him — וּבְשַׁוְּעוֹ אֵלָיו – with a sincere tefillah, He heard — שָׁמֵעַ .
(כו) מֵאִתְּךָ תְהִלָּתִי בְּקָהָל רָב 
נְדָרַי אֲשַׁלֵּם נֶגֶד יְרֵאָיו:
You, Hashem, are both the cause and the object of my praise. Because of You I give praise to You in a great assembly of nations — מֵאִתְּךָ תְהִלָּתִי בְּקָהָל רָב . I will fulfill my personal vows of gratitude — נְדָרַי אֲשַׁלֵּם – and bring thanks offerings in the presence of all who fear Him — נֶגֶד יְרֵאָיו .
(כז) יֹאכְלוּ עֲנָוִים וְיִשְׂבָּעוּ 
יְהַלְלוּ ה’ דֹּרְשָׁיו 
יְחִי לְבַבְכֶם לָעַד:
When the Geulah comes, even the humble people of Yisrael who had been persecuted by the nations will eat to their fill — יֹאכְלוּ עֲנָוִים וְיִשְׂבָּעוּ – of the thank offerings that are brought to Hashem. And the especially worthy people who seek Hashem will praise Him — יְהַלְלוּ ה’ דֹּרְשָׁיו – in gratitude for His extra measure of chesed. May all of your hearts be of good cheer forever — יְחִי לְבַבְכֶם לָעַד , restored by the spiritual energy of the offerings, with a vibrancy never again to be interrupted.
PART 6. A NEW DAWN.
(כח) יִזְכְּרוּ וְיָשֻׁבוּ אֶל ה’ 
כָּל אַפְסֵי אָרֶץ
When they see Hashem’s wonders, the scattered Jewish people will remember their history and they will return to Hashem — יִזְכְּרוּ וְיָשֻׁבוּ אֶל ה’ – from all the ends of the earth — כָּל אַפְסֵי אָרֶץ .
וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ כָּל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת גּוֹיִם:
Hashem, even all the families of nations will bow down before You — וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְפָנֶיךָ כָּל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת גּוֹיִם – when they see Your power.
(כט) כִּי לַה’ הַמְּלוּכָה 
וּמֹשֵׁל בַּגּוֹיִם:
All the peoples will then recognize that the monarchy over all existence belongs to Hashem — כִּי לַה’ הַמְּלוּכָה , and that He rules the nations — וּמֹשֵׁל בַּגּוֹיִם . Everything that happens in the world depends upon His will.
(ל) אָכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ כָּל דִּשְׁנֵי אֶרֶץ
All who grow fat in the land aiming to satisfy their physical desires may eat, but they will eventually die and then they will be forced to bow down — אָכְלוּ וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ כָּל דִּשְׁנֵי אֶרֶץ – as they accept the judgment of Hashem.
לְפָנָיו יִכְרְעוּ כָּל יוֹרְדֵי עָפָר 
וְנַפְשׁוֹ לֹא חִיָּה:
And so, all who descend to the dust will kneel before Him — לְפָנָיו יִכְרְעוּ כָּל יוֹרְדֵי עָפָר , but He will not revive the soul of the unworthy — וְנַפְשׁוֹ לֹא חִיָּה .
(לא) זֶרַע יַעַבְדֶנּוּ 
יְסֻפַּר לַה’ לַדּוֹר:
Only regarding the offspring of the people that serve Him — זֶרַע יַעַבְדֶנּוּ , will it be told that they belong to Hashem for all the generations — יְסֻפַּר לַאדֹ־נָי לַדּוֹר . Only they will be called the eternal nation of Hashem.
(לב) יָבֹאוּ וְיַגִּידוּ צִדְקָתוֹ 
לְעַם נוֹלָד כִּי עָשָׂה:
Those who return from the Exile will come and relate His charitable act — יָבֹאוּ וְיַגִּידוּ צִדְקָתוֹ , which He has done out of kindness to the newborn nation of Yisrael — לְעַם נוֹלָד כִּי עָשָׂה , the nation that has been newly redeemed.
Living the Mizmor
Listed below are some of the thoughts that you might have in mind when you say the words of the mizmor as a tefillah and some of the lessons that you can draw from this mizmor.
Tefillos for Life – Your Relationship with Hashem .
[22:02] FORSAKEN. – אֵ־לִי אֵ־לִי לָמָה עֲזַבְתָּנִי – “My G-d, my G-d, why have You forsaken me.” Plead with Hashem to restore His bond with you.
[22:12] – אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי כִּי צָרָה קְרוֹבָה כִּי אֵין עוֹזֵר – “[Hashem,] be not distant from me because my trouble is near, there is nobody to help.”
Tehillos for Life – Contemplation of Hashem.
[22:04] ENTHRONEMENT. – וְאַתָּה קָדוֹשׁ יוֹשֵׁב תְּהִלּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל – “You are the Holy One, enthroned [upon] the praises of Yisrael.” Hashem eagerly awaits the praises and the devotion of His people and He responds to them.
Lessons for Life – Your Attitude.
[22:5] FOREFATHERS. – בְּךָ בָּטְחוּ אֲבֹתֵינוּ בָּטְחוּ וַתְּפַלְּטֵמוֹ – “Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted and You delivered them.” Don’t be discouraged by the long wait for a yeshuah. Our forefathers trusted in Hashem and their patience was rewarded. So it will be with us.
Tefillos for Life – Your Anguish.
[22:07] SCORNED. – אָנֹכִי תוֹלַעַת וְלֹא אִישׁ חֶרְפַּת אָדָם וּבְזוּי עָם – “But [now] I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men, reviled by nations.” I and my people are the objects of scorn and hatred among the nations. We look to You, Hashem to restore us.
Lessons for Life – Your Behavior.
[22:09] TURN TO HASHEM. – גֹּל אֶל ה’ יְפַלְּטֵהוּ יַצִּילֵהוּ כִּי חָפֵץ בּוֹ – “The one who turns to Hashem, He will free him! He will rescue him, for He is pleased with him.” Hashem gave you your life. You should dedicate it to the service of Hashem with the goal of pleasing Him.
Tefillos for Life – Your Gratitude.
[22:10] BIRTH. – כִּי אַתָּה גֹחִי מִבָּטֶן – “For You, [Hashem,] drew me forth from the womb.” Hashem gave you life and security from the very beginning of your existence.
Tehillos for Life – Public Acclaim .
[22:23] SHARE YOUR GRATITUDE. – אֲסַפְּרָה שִׁמְךָ לְאֶחָי בְּתוֹךְ קָהָל אֲהַלְלֶךָּ – “[Hashem,] I will proclaim Your Name to my brethren, I will praise You in the midst of the assembly.” Share your gratitude and inspire others.
[22:32]– יָבֹאוּ וְיַגִּידוּ צִדְקָתוֹ לְעַם נוֹלָד כִּי עָשָׂה – “They will come and relate His charitable act, which He has done to the newborn nation [of Yisrael].”
Sources
The primary sources used in the interpretation of the verses of this mizmor are listed below.
א – רש”י, רד”ק, המאירי, מצודות, מלבי”ם
ב – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, המאירי, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
ג – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, אבן יחייא, מלבי”ם
ד – רד”ק, ספורנו, אבן עזרא, מלבי”ם
ה – אבן יחייא, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
ו – אבן עזרא, המאירי, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
ז – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, מצודות
ח – רד”ק, המאירי,
ט – המאירי, ספורנו, נר לרגלי
י – רד”ק, נר לרגלי
יא – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, נר לרגלי
יב – רד”ק, מלבי”ם, טיב התהילות
יג – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, המאירי
יד – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, אבן יחייא, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
טו – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
טז – רש”י, מצודות, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
יז – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, אבן יחייא, מצודות
יח – רד”ק, המאירי, מצודות
יט – רש”י, רד”ק, אבן יחייא, נר לרגלי
כ – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, ספורנו
כא – רד”ק
כב – רד”ק, ספורנו, עמוס חכם (מוה”ק)
כג – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, המאירי
כד – רש”י, המאירי
כה – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, ספורנו, אבן יחייא, נר לרגלי
כו – אבן עזרא, ספורנו
כז – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, ספורנו, מצודות, מלבי”ם
כח – רש”י, אבן עזרא, ספורנו, נר לרגלי
כט – רד”ק, המאירי, אבן יחייא, נר לרגלי
ל – אבן עזרא, מלבי”ם
לא – רש”י, רד”ק, המאירי
לב – רש”י, רד”ק, המאירי, ספורנו, נר לרגלי