John Calvin Commentary Psalms 22:11

"Be not far from me; for trouble is near; For there is none to help." — Psalms 22:11 (ASV)

Depart not far from me. Here he uses another argument to persuade God to show him mercy, claiming that he is severely pressed and surrounded by the greatest distress. He undoubtedly considered the role that the Scriptures everywhere attribute to God: that of helping those in misery, and of being more ready to help us the more we are afflicted.

Even despair itself, therefore, served as a ladder to lift his mind to devout and fervent prayer. In the same way, our awareness of our afflictions should motivate us to take refuge under God’s wings, so that by granting us his aid, he may show that he takes a deep interest in our well-being.