Van der Zwan, Pieter2018-08-032017-11Van der Zwan, P. 2017, 'The body in poverty – Psalm 22', Journal for Semitics, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 66-85.1013-841710.25159/1013-8471/3108http://hdl.handle.net/2263/66077This article is based on a paper read at the ProPsalms Conference held at the University of Pretoria, 28–29 August 2014.The bodily suffering in this psalm can be related to a socio-economic situation of poverty. In addition, it is also closely linked to an experience of distance from God and the community of belonging with its terrible emotional consequences. Although the direction of causality is unclear it would seem that the body breaks down when the solitary self feels alienated from God and from corporate belonging. The description of bodily parts in this psalm therefore contains various layers of meaning beyond the physical, including simultaneously the psychological, social, and spiritual.enUnisa PressPovertyGodBodily sufferingPsalm 22Emotional consequencesCommunity belongingSuffering and lament in scriptureBody and embodiment in the BibleHuman sufferingTheology articles SDG-01SDG-01: No povertyTheology articles SDG-03SDG-03: Good health and well-beingTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsArticle