Psalm 22
“The Psalm of the Cross” “No Christian can read this without being vividly confronted with the crucifixion. It is not only a matter of prophecy minutely fulfilled, but of the suffer’s humility” (Kidner p. 105). One should note that all the events in this Psalm did not happen in the of life of David. The heart of the Psalm isn’t a description of an illness or even persecution, but an execution (22:11-18). This Psalm was not fulfilled by the suffering endured by any ancient person but a prophetic picture of the suffering to be endured by Jesus when he died to pay the penalty for our sins. David probably found himself enduring and being able to identify with a good number of the emotions in this Psalm.
The Power Of Darkness 22:1 Jesus will quote these words while hanging on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). Yet, these are not the words of unbelief. He prays to God, He calls God, “My God”, and He knows that God can and will deliver Him (22:3ff). From the fact that Jesus quotes from this Psalm while upon the cross seems to be proof that this Psalm was upon His mind when He was suffering, that He found strength and encouragement in it, because the Psalm ends on a very high note. Point To Note: 1.
Some see the above words as indicating that when Jesus died for our sins, and became a sin offering or a curse for us (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13), that He experienced a spiritual separation from the Father. 2. I am more inclined to see these words as being for the benefit of those who saw the crucifixion. These words should have made people think! Why did it look like God had abandoned this righteous man? Why was this man suffering when He hadn’t done anything wrong? Could it be that He wasn’t suffering for His own sins, but for the sins of others? (Isaiah 53:4-6) Could it be that He had become the lamb of God that takes way the sin of the world? (John 1:29) 3. I have a hard time seeing Jesus (Who is God) wondering why all this is happening, especially when He knew exactly how everything was going to end. 4. I don’t see Jesus as suffering a spiritual separation from the Father, for the Father knew that Jesus hadn’t sinned. I also reject the idea that the Father had to turn away from Jesus, because Jesus had taken upon Himself our sins, and the Father cannot look upon sin. For, how can God 1
judge the sinner, if He can’t see what the sinner is doing. I like what Kidner says here, “It is not a lapse of faith, nor a broken relationship, but a cry…as God’s familiar, protective presence is withdrawn (as it was from the blameless Job) and the enemy closes in” (Kidner p. 106). What Jesus was voluntarily experiencing was serious! One of the Godhead, who had condemned the Devil, was now going to allow Himself to be abused by all that the powers of darkness could hail at him. During this period of time (the scourging, trial, and crucifixion), God’s providential and miraculous protection would be withdrawn from the Son of God. To me, that’s the best way that I can explain the word “forsaken” in this passage. Note, when Jesus quoted this Psalm while on the cross, it is proof that Jesus clearly understood His mission here, and is loudly preaching to those who saw Him crucified, “This is the fulfillment of Psalm 22!” In addition, Jesus also knows how the Psalm ends, that is, full of trust and faith in God. 22:2 Apparently, David had also experienced a similar feeling in his life. Nothing is happening, God seems not to be hearing him, his prayers seem to hit the ceiling. The word “groaning” in verse 1 means “roaring”. “Thus the pain is audible. The volume is up; a roar of despair is the result” (Williams p. 173). In quoting this Psalm, Jesus is telling us that He felt the pain of being the innocent victim of evil. He understands when we are frustrated that evil men seem so powerful and we seem so powerless. He knows that waiting for God to grant deliverance can be a trying experience! (Hebrews 4:14-16) 22:3 The reference to God being enthroned, means, “but God you still rule this universe”. “David stops floundering in his own grief, which would suck him further down, to reach for the ‘rock that is higher than I’” (Kidner p. 106). In the midst of intense suffering, the righteous still believe that God is holy, hence evil will not go unpunished, and God still rules, even though for now wicked men prosper and or abuse the righteous. 22:4-5 David found tremendous encouragement in remembering how God had delivered the righteous in the past. Christians are told the same thing (2 Peter 2:4-9). God has always shown Himself faithful to those in the past who trusted in Him. Even though it may look like God isn’t acting—God will act! Let us always remember to trust God’s timetable for our deliverance. Remember Joseph? Yet, there is always the temptation to believe that God can’t help us or that God isn’t as powerful as He used to be or that His deliverance won’t arrive in time. 22:6-8 Though he trusted in God, he is despised and scorned by men. “He felt like a worm, worthless, defenseless, and treated with utter contempt” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 810). At the cross, the people hurled insults at Jesus, and mocked His faith in God (Matthew 27:39,44). We need to be impressed that the people who mocked Jesus, certainly had heard the 22 nd Psalm read in the synagogues, yet they didn’t make the connection that they playing the role of the wicked in this Psalm. “The scorn hurts because he belongs, and cares. Warm, 2
quick affection, not Olympian detachment, was the mark of both David and his greater Son; yet Jesus diverted pity from Himself to others. ‘Weep for yourselves and for your children’. Notice the false premise from which the unbelievers argue in verse 8, as always: that God is there for our convenience, if He is there at all” (Kidner p. 106). Kidner also notes that the Devil’s temptations, “command these stones”; “throw yourself down”, are identical with the attitude displayed by those mocking Jesus, i.e., “come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:39,43). Both were attitudes which demanded that God prove Himself to us or that God act for our convince. Have many people today have this same attitude, “God, it’s your job to convenience me that you either exist or are worthy of my trust”. In addition, the wicked have the attitude, “If you really were to trust in God, you would not suffer. So why are you suffering, obviously, you are not right with God”. The shaking of the head may signify rejection or astonishment 22:9-10 A righteous person doesn’t focus on what mockers say, rather he or she remembers the truth. From birth we have owed our lives to God. Especially for the Jew, one was in the covenant since birth (circumcision at the 8 th day). “The reflection focuses on God’s sovereign and providential acts of giving life and sustaining it by the mother’s care” (Gaebelein p. 203). “Even in pain the memory of His past faithfulness is still a seed of hope” (Williams p. 175). “David dwells now on His personal lifelong care of him. God is no casual acquaintance” (Kidner p. 107). From the very beginning, David had been trained by his parents to trust in the Lord (compare with 2 Timothy 1:5-6). God developed trust in David, through parental teaching. Remembering what God has done for us—is a powerful incentive for faithfulness! Seeing that God has been faithful to me in the past, will God not continue to be faithful to me now? 22:11-13 “This is a scene often enacted: the strong closing in on the weak; the many on the one. The crowd is pictured as bestial (bulls, lions, dogs, wild oxen), but it is all too human, …The context suggests some of the motives for which men do these things to one another: resentment at those who make high claims (8); the compulsion of crowd-mentality (12, 16a; cf., Exodus 23:2); greed, even for trivial gains (18); and perverted tastes—enjoying a harrowing spectacle (17) simply because sin is murderous, and sinners have hatred in them (cf. John 8:44)” (Kidner p. 107). Again, we are reminded of the blood-thirsty crowd which mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:39-42). “Bashan” was a high flat area east of the Jordan and south of Mount Hermon where wheat and cattle were raised. Its wild bulls present a graphic image of raging trouble and distress. The bulls of Bashan were also proverbial for their size because they were well fed on the lush vegetation of the region. 22:14-15 David describes himself as physically and emotionally exhausted. He is drained, like water poured out. His strength is like a broken, baked piece of pottery and his tongue cleaves to his palate, his mouth is dry. Clearly such language can apply to the crucifixion. The bones (of the hands, arms, shoulders, and pelvis) are out of joint (14); the profuse perspiration caused by 3
intense suffering (14); the action of the heart is affected (14); the strength is exhausted, and there is extreme thirst (15). The writer feels that he is very close to death, he is being poured out like water onto the dust. Yet he knows that such is God’s will. Compare with Isaiah 53:10 “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief”. 22:16-18 Clearly here is a prediction of the type of death that the Messiah would endure, a death in which his hands and feet would be pierced. And the fact that crucifixion was a Roman and not a Jewish form of execution, is a tremendous testimony to the inspiration of the Scriptures. For when this Psalm was composed, the Roman Empire didn’t even exist! The statement, “I can count all my bones”, may either mean, that none of His bones would be broken, i.e., the Psalmist isn’t talking about a death in which a man was stoned, and then nailed on a tree after he was dead. Rather, the “pierced man” is still alive, even after he has been pierced. Or, the reference would be fulfilled by a crucified man looking down upon his naked body. In addition, we have another fulfillment of prophecy in this verse, “they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots”. Note, they did this while He was still alive (John 19:2324; Matthew 27:35). Points To Note: 1.
Some have tried to argue that the word “pierced” in this text isn’t an accurate translation of the Hebrew. But from the fact that the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures around 280 B.C.), so translated the word as “pierced”, over two centuries before the crucifixion, stands as an unbiased witness that this is the right rendering. 2. We can so easily forget that this precise statements about the death of Jesus were predicted over 1000 years before Jesus even was born! In addition, crucifixion as a method of death wasn’t even practiced when this Psalm was written! “Thus the type of death pictured in Isaiah 53 and Psalms 22 did not come into practice under the Jewish system until hundreds of years after the account was written” 1 In addition, this form of execution will end around 300 A.D., hence there was a very narrow window in which the Messiah could come and fulfill many of the prophecies in the Old Testament. Added to this, many of these prophecies were beyond the control any human being to manipulate. McDowell notes that 29 prophecies from the Old Testament, which speak of the betrayal, trial, death and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ, were spoken at various times by many different voices during the five centuries from 100-500 B.C., and yet all of them were literally fulfilled in Jesus in one 24-hour period of time (see pages 158-166).
22:19-21 Once again, the mind of the writer doesn’t focus on his enemies, but rather he places his trust in God. The mention of the “sword” in verse 20 refers 1
Evidence That Demands A Verdict, Josh McDowell, p. 162 4
to an impending violent death. It may look like the writer is forsaken, but he still prays. “This faith, deeper than his pain, is his secret…Even in the utter hopelessness of this life there is still the divine possibility. In His condescension God is willing to be our last resort” (Williams p. 178). As we read the above passages, we are reminded of Jesus’ statement while on the cross, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). See also 1 Peter 2:23. Note the end of verse 21, “Thou does answer me”. Though he was suffering, he knew that God had heard him!
The Spread Of Joy 22:22 This verse is quoted in Hebrews 2:11, and clearly relates to what is said by the Messiah. Hence the “brethren” in this verse are believers. Jesus died, but He was delivered from death in an unusual way, i.e., He was raised from the dead. “To ‘declare’ God’s name means to magnify or exalt the God who has brought deliverance” (Williams p. 179). The “assembly” in the Hebrew letter includes all Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ. Though Jesus was despised by the Jews He was not ultimately forsaken by God but was heard. It follows from this that He was not the blasphemer He was accused of being but rather was who He was, namely, the unique Son of God. Moreover, He accomplished what He said He had come into the world to achieve, which was to make atonement for sins. Note, clearly, God had not forsaken David or Jesus. Do we praise God for our deliverances? Do we proclaim the faithfulness of our God? Is our attitude, “I just have to talk about what God has done for me”? 22:23-24 The first group who is called upon to praise God are the faithful among the Jewish people. “Instead of having to listen to the people who scorned and mocked him, the psalmist calls on the Lord. The taunts of the mockers are thus drowned out by the songs of the faithful” (Gaebelein p. 209). Note, “fearing” God is being overcome by awe and reverence before His power and might. Instead of talking about ourselves or our talents, let us praise God, which means to boast in God’s character and His works. To me this verses are saying, “It may have looked like God was forsaking me”, but God never has forsaken me. 22:25-26 The theme of worship continues in these verses. “The law encouraged those who vowed some service to God, should their prayer be granted, to fulfill the vow with a sacrifice, followed by a feast (26) which might last as long as two days (Leviticus 7:16). They were not to keep their happiness to themselves and their children, but invite their servants and other needy folk, especially the Levites, to eat with them before the Lord (Deuteronomy 12:17-19). And they must tell the congregation what God had done for them” (Kidner p. 108). Is this how we respond to God’s mercy and deliverances today? Do we share our enthusiasm with others, do we drown the criticism and skepticism of the mockers, are we eager to gather with other Christians and worship God? Sadly, 5
many religious bodies have turned public worship into something that entertains and glorifies people, rather than a chance to boast in the Lord. 22:27-28 Here is one of those passages in the Old Testament where it is clearly predicted that God will offer salvation to all men, and not just Israel. God is wanting worshippers from all nations (John 4:23-24). Remember, in the covenant God gave to Abraham, there was the promise to bless all nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Note the word “remember” in 27. The process in Romans 1:18ff, will be reversed through the preaching of the gospel to all nations. People from every nation will “remember” that God is their creator, they will cease their idol worship and they will return to Him. This makes perfect sense, seeing that God rules over all nations, i.e., there is only one God to whom all are accountable. 22:29 The rich and the poor from every nation will come to God (Galatians 3:28). God will receive worship from the Gentiles as well as worship from the proud. “Those who are at present self-sufficient will put aside their arrogance to join the humble at the feast” (Kidner p. 109). 22:30 The praise of God will extend from generation to generation. The story of redemption will not only include the nations but also generations yet unborn. Almost 2000 years after the crucifixion, the gospel is still being preached, and each new generation is hearing the old, old story. Isn’t that amazing! 22:31 Many feel that the statement, “that He has performed it”, it is the equivalent of the final words of Jesus on the cross, i.e., “it is finished” (John 19:30). This psalm began with a cry for mercy and deliverance, and ends with the truth that God heard the cry and God answered it and God delivered. In addition, out of great suffering and what looked like a hopeless situation, comes salvation to every nation, and a multiplication of believers in God. “Psalm 22 held Him in support in His hour of darkness. In Christ this psalm will hold us too. We will say with David and our Savior: ‘You have answered Me’” (Williams p. 181). In these final verses, we find our obligation. That is, to bring the gospel to each new generation. To declare to others the righteousness of God and how He can make a sinner righteous.
6