תהלים, פרק כ״ב, פסוק כ׳

From the depths of intense distress, a desperate plea for immediate closeness and salvation emerges. As troubles gather and threaten to overwhelm, the psalmist begs God not to hold back or stand idly by, pleading with Him not to distance Himself from the redemption of His people [רד״ק, מאירי]. This cry rests on the profound recognition that God is the sole source of true power.

The primary approach among commentators is that God is understood as the ultimate embodiment of personal strength, resilience, and courage. Recognizing God as his source of power allows the psalmist to express the supreme might he receives directly from Him [אבן עזרא]. This also emphasizes that his trust is placed entirely and exclusively in God alone [רד״ק]. In contrast to this perspective, another interpretation suggests an image of the morning star. In this view, God is described as a guiding light that breaks through and illuminates the surrounding darkness [מלבי״ם].

The plea then shifts to an urgent request for rapid intervention. Taking this idea deeper, the psalmist actually has no doubt whether God will help him. He knows with absolute certainty that the very strength God planted within him was designed specifically to assist him in times of trouble. Because the assurance of divine help is already secure, the entire focus of the prayer centers only on the element of time, asking simply that God hurry and hasten His salvation [אלשיך].