Psalms 22:11 - Exposition

Be not far from me . The considerations dwelt upon in Psalms 22:3-5 , and again in veto. 9, 10, have removed the sense of desertion expressed in vex. 1; and the Sufferer can now confidently call on God to help him. "Be not far from me," he says, for trouble is near . The time is come when aid is most urgently required. For there is none to help; literally, not a helper. David himself had never been in such straits. He had always had friends and followers. Under Saul's persecution he had a friend in Jonathan; he was supported by his father and his.brethren ( 1 Samuel 22:1 ); in a short time he found himself at the head of four hundred ( 1 Samuel 22:2 ), and then of six hundred men ( 1 Samuel 25:13 ). In Absalom's rebellion there remained faithful to him the priestly tribe ( 2 Samuel 15:24 ) and the Gibborim ( 2 Samuel 15:18 ), and others to the number of some thousands ( 2 Samuel 18:4 ). But he whom David prefigured, his Antitype, was desexed, was alone—"All the disciples forsook him and fled" ( Matthew 26:56 )—he was truly one that "had no helper."