Psalms 22:11

KJV

¶ Be not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be not far {H7368} from me; for trouble {H6869} is near {H7138}; for there is none to help {H5826}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't stay far from me, for trouble is near; and there is no one to help.

Berean Standard Bible

Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 22:11 is a profound and urgent cry from a soul in extreme distress, pleading for God's immediate presence and intervention. It vividly articulates a deep sense of overwhelming peril and profound isolation, underscoring the psalmist's complete reliance on divine aid when all human support has vanished.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 22:11 is embedded within a psalm of lament that dramatically shifts from deep anguish to triumphant praise. The opening verses (e.g., [Psalms 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")) express a profound sense of abandonment and intense suffering, painting a picture of the psalmist surrounded by hostile enemies and feeling utterly forsaken by God. The preceding verses detail the psalmist's trust in God from birth (e.g., [Psalms 22:9-10](/psalms/22-9 "Psalm 22:9-10 - Trust from Birth")), which makes the current plea for God's nearness even more poignant, as it contrasts past deliverance with present despair. This verse serves as a direct, urgent petition, intensifying the lament before the psalm eventually pivots towards a confident declaration of God's future deliverance and universal worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to David, the specific historical circumstances behind Psalm 22 are not explicitly stated, allowing its themes of suffering and vindication to resonate broadly. The imagery of being surrounded by "bulls of Bashan" and "dogs" (e.g., [Psalms 22:12-16](/psalms/22-12 "Psalm 22:12-16 - Enemies Surrounding")) evokes a sense of being hunted and tormented, common experiences for individuals facing persecution or warfare in ancient Near Eastern societies. The plea for divine help when "none to help" are found reflects a societal understanding where community and tribal support were crucial; the absence of such support signified extreme vulnerability and isolation, making reliance on the divine the only remaining recourse. The cultural understanding of God as a deliverer and protector, especially for the vulnerable, underpins the psalmist's desperate yet hopeful appeal.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 22 and the Psalter. It underscores the theme of **Divine Presence and Absence**, as the psalmist’s desperate cry for God not to be "far" highlights the crucial importance of God's active involvement in human suffering. It also emphasizes **Human Helplessness and Divine Sovereignty**, showcasing a situation where human strength and resources are utterly exhausted, compelling the psalmist to acknowledge God as the sole source of help and deliverance. Furthermore, it touches upon the theme of **Suffering and Trust**, demonstrating that even in the deepest anguish, faith in God's character and past faithfulness (as seen in [Psalms 22:4-5](/psalms/22-4 "Psalm 22:4-5 - Trust of the Fathers")) remains, albeit strained. The verse's raw honesty in expressing distress also reinforces the Psalter's broader invitation to bring all emotions, even despair, before God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trouble (Hebrew, _tsarah'_):** This word signifies distress, anguish, tribulation, or affliction. It often carries the connotation of being in a "narrow" or "tight" place, metaphorically describing a situation that is constricting, oppressive, and overwhelming. It implies a profound sense of pressure and difficulty from which escape seems impossible without external intervention.
* **Help (Hebrew, _'ezer'_):** While often translated simply as "help," _'ezer'_ in biblical contexts frequently refers to strong, effective, and often divine assistance. It suggests a powerful aid that comes to the rescue in a time of great need, implying a supportive strength that is not merely advisory but actively intervenes to deliver. Its use here emphasizes the psalmist's complete lack of human support, underscoring that only God can provide the necessary _'ezer'_.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be not far from me;":** This is a fervent imperative, a desperate plea for God's immediate and palpable presence. It acknowledges that God's proximity is synonymous with safety, comfort, and potential deliverance, while His perceived distance implies vulnerability and abandonment.
* **"for trouble [is] near;":** This clause provides the urgent justification for the plea. The "trouble" (Hebrew _tsarah_) is not a distant threat but an imminent, pressing, and overwhelming danger or affliction that is already at the psalmist's doorstep, demanding swift intervention.
* **"for [there is] none to help.":** This final clause underscores the psalmist's complete isolation and utter helplessness. It signifies the failure of all human resources, support systems, or potential allies, leaving the psalmist entirely dependent on divine intervention as the sole source of succor.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Apostrophe** is evident in the direct address to God, "Be not far from me," creating an immediate and intimate appeal. The use of **Repetition** through the double "for" ("for trouble is near; for there is none to help") serves to emphasize and reinforce the dire circumstances and the absolute necessity of God's intervention. The imagery of "trouble... near" suggests **Personification**, as if trouble is an approaching entity, adding to the sense of imminent threat. Furthermore, the stark contrast between the "nearness" of trouble and the desired "nearness" of God creates a powerful **Antithesis**, highlighting the critical need for divine presence to counteract overwhelming peril. The entire verse functions as a **Lament**, a common genre in the Psalms, expressing deep distress and appealing to God for deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 22:11 articulates a profound theological truth: that in moments of extreme human vulnerability and isolation, God remains the ultimate and only reliable source of help. It underscores the biblical principle that God is a refuge in times of trouble, a present help when all other avenues fail. The psalmist's cry is not one of doubt in God's ability, but rather an urgent appeal for His manifest presence and intervention, reflecting a deep-seated trust in God's character as a deliverer. This verse resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God’s faithfulness to His people, even when they feel abandoned, affirming His covenantal commitment to be near to the brokenhearted and to save those crushed in spirit. It reminds believers that authentic faith involves bringing our deepest fears and helplessness before a God who is both sovereign and compassionate.

* [Deuteronomy 4:7](/deuteronomy/4-7 "Deuteronomy 4:7 - God is Near")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Fear Not, For I Am With You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 22:11 offers a profound model for prayer and a source of comfort for believers navigating their own seasons of distress and isolation. When life's troubles feel overwhelming and human support systems falter, this verse validates the raw, honest cry to God for His immediate presence. It reminds us that our vulnerability is not a weakness to hide but an invitation to lean fully into God's strength. In moments when we feel utterly alone, or when the "trouble" seems too close and too great to bear, this psalm encourages us to shift our gaze from the limitations of our circumstances or the absence of human aid to the limitless power and unwavering presence of God. It prompts us to trust that even when help is nowhere to be found among people, God remains our ever-present, unfailing Helper, ready to draw near to those who call upon Him in truth. Our desperate need becomes the very space where God's sufficiency can be most profoundly experienced.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "trouble is near" and "none to help"?**
* **How does the psalmist's honest plea, "Be not far from me," encourage you to pray more openly about your own fears and needs?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence when you feel isolated or overwhelmed?**

### FAQ

**Why does the psalmist feel "none to help" if God is present?**

Answer: The psalmist's cry "none to help" refers specifically to the absence of human assistance or recourse. It highlights a situation where all earthly avenues of support have failed, or are perceived to have failed, leaving the individual utterly vulnerable. This feeling of human abandonment or inadequacy of human aid is precisely what drives the desperate plea for God's immediate and sole intervention. It's not a statement of God's absence, but rather an expression of the psalmist's profound isolation from human succor, which then intensifies the need for divine proximity. The psalm often contrasts the failure of human help with the ultimate faithfulness of God, as seen in passages like [Psalms 22:4-5](/psalms/22-4 "Psalm 22:4-5 - Our Fathers Trusted in You").

**How can I apply this verse when I feel God is far away?**

Answer: This verse provides a powerful template for prayer when you feel God is distant. Instead of retreating in despair, the psalmist actively engages God with a direct, urgent plea: "Be not far from me." This models a faith that, even in perceived absence, continues to pursue God's presence. Application involves:
* **Honest Lament:** Articulate your feelings of isolation and distress to God, just as the psalmist did.
* **Specific Petition:** Clearly ask God to draw near and intervene in your specific "trouble."
* **Remembering God's Character:** Recall God's past faithfulness and His promises to never leave or forsake His people (e.g., [Deuteronomy 31:6](/deuteronomy/31-6 "Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be Strong and Courageous")).
* **Persistent Trust:** Even if the feeling of distance persists, continue to trust in His unseen presence and ultimate deliverance, knowing that He hears your cry. The very act of crying out is an act of faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 22:11 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly during His crucifixion. As the Messiah, Jesus perfectly embodied the psalmist's cry of utter abandonment and desperate need for divine proximity. On the cross, He experienced the ultimate "trouble" – not only the physical agony but the spiritual burden of bearing the world's sin, leading to the Father's temporary withdrawal and His anguished cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). In that moment, there was truly "none to help" Him from the spiritual depths of His suffering; even His disciples had fled ([Matthew 26:56](/matthew/26-56 "Matthew 26:56 - Disciples Flee")). Yet, in His humanity, Jesus fully identified with the psalmist's plea, demonstrating His complete reliance on the Father even as He endured the full weight of divine wrath on behalf of humanity. His cry, "Be not far from me," though not explicitly stated in the Gospels in this form, is implicitly fulfilled in His submission to the Father's will and His ultimate trust that the Father would not abandon His soul to Hades ([Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - You Will Not Abandon My Soul to Hades")). Through His perfect obedience and suffering, Christ, who felt utterly forsaken, became the ultimate "Help" for all who are troubled and without aid, offering eternal rescue and the promise that He will never leave or forsake His own ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You")). His experience transforms the psalmist's lament into a triumphant declaration of God's ultimate deliverance through the cross and resurrection.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 71:12

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

Psalms 72:12

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and [him] that hath no helper.

Psalms 10:1

¶ Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? [why] hidest thou [thyself] in times of trouble?

Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Psalms 38:21

Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.

John 16:32

Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

Psalms 69:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, [A Psalm] of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto [my] soul.