Psalms 22:24 (KJV)

What does Psalms 22:24 mean?

Psalms 22:24 says that God does not look down on or reject those who are suffering, and He does not ignore them; instead, when they call out to Him, He listens and responds. This verse emphasizes that God is attentive and compassionate toward people in distress.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be David, expressing deep personal suffering and a sense of abandonment, yet affirming that God has not truly turned away. In the context of the psalm, which begins with a cry of feeling forsaken, this verse marks a turning point, highlighting God’s faithfulness to hear and care for the afflicted.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 22:24

• "Despised" (בָּזָה, bazah) means to look down on or treat with contempt. The verse stresses that God does not treat the suffering person as worthless or beneath Him, which counters the fear that suffering means being rejected by God.
• "Affliction" (עֳנִי, oni) refers to misery, poverty, or suffering. This word highlights the real, tangible hardship being experienced, not just emotional pain.
• "Hid" (הִסְתִּיר, histir) means to conceal or turn away. The verse assures that God does not hide His "face" (פָּנִים, panim)—a Hebrew way of saying His presence or attention—from the suffering person.
• "Cried" (שָׁוַע, shava) and "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) together stress that God is responsive: when someone in distress calls out, God truly listens.

Why Psalms 22:24 matters

• Psalms 22:24 corrects the idea that suffering is a sign of God’s rejection or indifference, making clear that God remains present and attentive even in hardship.
• This verse shifts the tone of the psalm from despair to hope, showing that cries for help are not ignored but heard by God.
• The verse connects to the larger theme of Psalms 22, where a personal experience of suffering becomes a testimony of God’s faithfulness, offering comfort to others who feel abandoned.