Psalms 22:24

For He has not despised or detested the torment of the afflicted. He has not hidden His face from him, but has attended to his cry for help.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The psalmist addresses the community of believers, specifically those who fear the LORD and the descendants of Jacob, immediately after calling them to praise God for deliverance.

The words — The text emphasizes בָזָה (va.Zah) = he has despised and שִׁקַּץ (shi.Katz) = he has detested, both negated by לֹא (lo') = not, to state that God actively rejects the attitude of contempt toward the afflicted.

The thread — The motif of God not hiding His face appears in Isaiah 50:6, while the pattern of divine attention to cries in distress parallels the petitionary language of Psalm 116:3 and the intercessory posture described in Hebrews 5:7.

Why it lands — It requires the reader to acknowledge that God's response to suffering is attentive presence rather than abandonment, grounding communal praise in the fact that He hears the cry of the afflicted.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

כִּ֤יkifor לֹֽא־lo'-not בָזָ֨הva.Zahhe has despised וְלֹ֪אve./Lo'and/ not שִׁקַּ֡ץshi.Katzhe has detested עֱנ֬וּת'e.Nut[the] affliction of עָנִ֗י'a.Nian afflicted [person]וְלֹא־ve./lo'-and/ not הִסְתִּ֣ירhis.Tirhe has hidden פָּנָ֣יוpa.Na/vface/ his מִמֶּ֑נּוּmi.Me./nufrom/ him וּֽבְשַׁוְּע֖וֹu./ve./sha.ve.'/Oand/ when/ cried for help/ he אֵלָ֣יו'e.La/vto/ him שָׁמֵֽעַ׃sha.Me.a'he heard

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
Isaiah 50:6 I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
Psalms 116:3 The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow.
Psalms 118:5 In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.
Psalms 34:6 This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.
Psalms 69:29 But I am in pain and distress; let Your salvation protect me, O God.
Luke 23:46 Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.
Psalms 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
Psalms 22:2 I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest.
Psalms 69:17 Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!