What does “be not far from me” mean in Psalm 22:11?

Response

Psalm 22 follows the typical pattern of a “prayer for help” or “complaint psalm.” Like many others in this category (see Psalm 2:1;see Psalm 10:1;see Psalm 13:1-2;52:1;74:1), the psalmist cries to God for assistance but feels abandoned because God does not respond. In Psalm 22, David acknowledges the Lord’s presence from the moment of his birth and then appeals to God to remain close to him now: “On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help” (Psalm 22:10-11;ESV).

Amid his suffering and trouble, David knows that no one else but God can assist him. His plea echoes that of Job in the time of his misery and pain: “Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?” (Job 10:8-9).

“Be not far from me,” or, stated positively, “come close to me,” is a common lament found throughout the Psalms: “O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me” «O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. », (Psalm 71:12, NLT). In Psalm 38:21–22, the psalmist prays, “Do not abandon me, O LORD. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior” (NLT;see also Psalm 35:22).

David’s situation in Psalm 22 is a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus Christ’s suffering and death. David’s anguished complaint begins like

Like this: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest” (Psalm 22:1-2). David’s outcry reflects the Lord’s very words from the cross: “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’)” «And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? », (Matthew 27:46).

David seeks God’s help but receives no immediate answer. Again in Psalm 22:19, David prays, “But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.” The Lord’s apparent delay in responding causes David to feel as if God is far off. Like so many other psalms, this one movingly expresses the familiar emotions people experience when they are alone and afflicted. We may know in our heads that God is near. We have felt His presence all of our lives, yet we pray, “Be not far from me, Lord,” because, right at that moment, God seems distant.

Jesus Himself joined with the multitude of believers on earth in their lonely affliction. He became one with us in our suffering. He, too, cried out to God, “Why have you forsaken me?” Therefore, we should not feel ashamed to plead with God, “Do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me” « This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. », (Psalm 35:22, NKJV). If God did not mind such pleas from David, Job, and His very own Son, then He will not mind when we are honest and vulnerable as we come to Him in our moments of deep need.

In English, “be not far from me.”

“Stay close to me” might be a more natural expression, or “remain near me.” David frequently acknowledges the proximity of God in his prayers: “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18; see also Psalm 119:151; see also Psalm 34:18). Even in his deepest despair, David understands that, in truth, God is nearby: “For he [the Lord] has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help” «For 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. », (Psalm 22:24, NLT). David persists, and by the conclusion of his prayer, his heart is lifted in confident worship. He can declare that “those who seek the LORD will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy” «The meek shall eat and be satisfied: They shall praise the LORD that seek him: Your heart shall live for ever. », (Psalm 22:26, NLT).