Psalm 22:1-11, 22-29: A choral reading

Adapted from Psalms for All Seasons 22C (Faith Alive, 2011)

Two groups of readers stand separate from one another, apart from the congregation. If possible, the groups do not stand closely together. They move through the reading from individual voices to group voices, and as they join voices, they move closer together.

Note: Group 1 and Group 2 both have voices with the same numbers (1,2,3,4, “All,” etc.), but these are different individuals speaking.

Group 1:
Voice 1: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Voice 2: Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

Voice 3: O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;

Voice 4: and by night, but find no rest.

Group 2:
Voices 1&2: Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Voices 3&4: In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.

Voices 5&6: To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.

Congregation Sings: What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul?
What wondrous love is this, O my soul?

Group 1:
Men: But I am a worm, and not human; scorned by others, and despised by the people.

Women: All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;

All: “Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver--let him rescue the one in whom he
delights!”

Congregation Sings: When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down . . .

Group 2:
Women: Yet it was you who took me from the womb; you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.

Men: On you I was cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me you have been my God.

All folks age 50+: Do not be far from me, for trouble is near

Youngest one: and there is no one to help.

Congregation Sings: To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.

Group 1:
Voice 5&6: I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;

Voice 1&2: in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

Voice 3&4: You who fear the LORD, praise him!

Voice 5,6&1: All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;

All: stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

Group 2: 
Voice 1: For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted;

Voice 2: he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him.

Voice 3&4: From you comes my praise in the great congregation.

Voice 5&6: my vows I will pay before those who fear him.

Voice 3: The poor shall eat and be satisfied;

Voice 4: Those who seek him shall praise the LORD.

All: May your hearts live forever!

Groups 1&2:
Men: All the ends of the earth

Women: shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all families of the nations

Men: shall worship before him.

All: For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
To him, indeed shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.

Congregation Sings: And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on!
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on!