Psalm 22

SLIDE 1 Get out your Bible and turn to Psalm 22. Over the last decade I’ve seen a number of books teaching readers how to pray the scriptures or use the Bible to direct your prayers. I like the idea.

It’s been noted that the early church would pray the Scriptures. We find an example in Acts 4. Peter and John had been brought before the Sanhedrin to explain why they had been preaching about Jesus. Before they were released, the two men were instructed to stop talking about Jesus in public.

Once they got back to the other apostles and believers, we read how they prayed. SLIDE 2

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” (Acts 4:24)

They are repeating what they had learned in scripture about God. Then they quote Psalm 2. SLIDE 3

25 “You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? SLIDE 4 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.’ ” (Psalm 2:25-26)

SLIDE 5 What we see is the early church praying back to God the very words that God had given them in the scriptures. We should remember too, that many parts of the Bible are prayers. As we have seen in our study of the Psalms, the majority of them are songs and prayers to God. Praying the scriptures is simply allowing the verses of the Bible to inspire and guide your prayers so that their thoughts become your prayers. While not every verse of scripture can be turned into a prayer, but many can.

I’ll give you an example I found online for Colossians 2:6. The verse says: SLIDE 6

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him. (Colossians 2:6)

We might pray the verse saying: SLIDE 7

Yes, Lord Jesus, I have received you and I do receive you afresh right now this morning. I welcome you to take full control of my life.

SLIDE 8 Praying the scriptures can help revitalize our prayers. It keeps our prayers scriptural and it helps teach us how to pray.

I say all this because several years ago I was encouraged to use Psalm 22 as a prayer. I had difficulty praying this psalm and I think you will see why as we go through it. Because it is a psalm quoted by Jesus we might think it would be easier, but it’s one he quoted from the cross.

You may remember that I said a few weeks ago that Psalms 22, 23, and 24 are a trilogy of psalms that deal with the Messiah as Shepherd. In Psalm 22, the Good Shepherd dies for his sheep; in Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd cares for his sheep; and in Psalm 24, the Good Shepherd rewards his sheep.

Psalm 22 has this heading:

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David.

No one knows for sure what that tune is. We know David wrote the psalm but there is no indication as to when or what the circumstances were. It is obvious that David was having a difficult time, but it’s hard to pinpoint when the words of the psalm would have applied to David’s life. The words do however point to Jesus as we will see. Therefore, I am not going to explain this psalm from David’s point of view, but from the foot of the cross looking up at Jesus.

SLIDE 9 First, as Jesus hangs on the cross we see his separation from God.

We read in Matthew: SLIDE 10

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). (Matthew 27:46)

SLIDE 11 As Jesus cried out from the cross, he was quoting Psalm 22 which starts with that question.

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. (Psalm 22:1-2)

The psalm begins with three important though rhetorical questions:

He wants to know why God has abandoned him.

He wants to know why God is so far away. And,

He wants to know why God hasn’t answered him.

As I said, I feel uncomfortable praying this because I know that God has never deserted me. However, I know there are times it may feel that way. There are times when God seems far away. We cry out to God seeking an answer but don’t seem to receive one. If you’ve ever felt that way you are not alone. Even Jesus felt that way from the cross.

To feel the depth of his rejection notice how Jesus refers to God: “My God” and not, “My Father.” Jesus taught us to call out to God as our Father. SLIDE 12

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9)

Jesus referred to God as his Father. SLIDE 13

32 Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)

And God referred to Jesus as his son. SLIDE 14

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

SLIDE 15 But here, Jesus refers to him as simply God and accuses God of not being there when he needs him most. It seems to be a stinging indictment.

However, here’s what we need to remember. It was quite common to refer to a passage of scripture by only referring to only the first part it. We do something similar. For example, if I warn someone not to cry wolf, what am I talking about? I’m not telling them not to yell out, “Wolf!” I’m referring to the story of a boy who pretended there was a wolf attacking when there wasn’t. Because he told the lie so many times when a wolf actually did come and he yelled wolf no one believed him. I don’t have to tell the whole story because everyone knows it. I only have to warn, “Don’t cry wolf” and everyone fills in the blanks with the rest of the story.

I think it’s safe to assume Jesus is doing the same with this psalm. Jesus wasn’t just referring to the first verse, but all thirty-one verses. If Jesus is only referring to the first verse, then yes, it sounds like Jesus is accusing God of abandonment. But there is much more to this psalm to come and all of it fits with the experience of Jesus on the cross.

First, we see Jesus cry out because of his separation from God while he was on the cross.

SLIDE 16 Second, there’s Christ’s strength from God.

3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. 4 In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. (Psalm 22:3-5)

Those questions of doubt in the first two verses are followed by these three verses of affirmation. Jesus may have felt abandoned, but he confirms his assurance that God is still on the throne. God may feel far away, but in reality he hasn’t gone anywhere. We may not understand God’s silence in our times of need but we can rest assured knowing that God is always with us.

To illustrate this, we are reminded of how God helped his people in times past. When they cried out to God, he delivered and saved them. They put their trust in God and were not disappointed.

Three times we’re told about their trust in God.

In you our ancestors trusted

They trusted you

In you they trusted

They didn’t just believe in God, they trusted in God. Isn’t that part of what James is talking about when he wrote that even demons believe God exists? SLIDE 17

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder. (James 2:19)

SLIDE 18 In that passage, James is talking about putting faith into action. It is action that demonstrates our trust. Demons believe in the existence of God, but they don’t place their trust in him and they don’t act on their belief.

God has always been faithful to deliver his people who put their trust in him. Jesus trusted God. That’s how in the Garden of Gethsemane he could pray, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus trusted God and so can we. Jesus was not disappointed either. Three days later his Father raised him from the dead. We can trust God. Because God has been faithful in the past, we can trust him with the future.

SLIDE 19 Third, there’s Christ’s scorn from the people.

6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” (Psalm 22:6-8)

To refer to yourself as a worm is a pretty humbling statement. This is not the earthworm used for fishing. This is the worm you find crawling through rotten food, a maggot. Because of the way he was treated, Jesus no longer felt like a man, but only a lowly maggot. Isaiah wrote: SLIDE 20

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (Isaiah 53:3)

His treatment was inhumane. Before crucifying him, they spit on him (Matthew 26:67), struck him (Matthew 26:67-68), spoke blasphemous words against him (Luke 22:65), flogged him (Matthew 27:26), and beat him with a staff (Matthew 27:30). Jesus was beaten so severely that even those who knew him would have had difficulty recognizing him. Again from Isaiah: SLIDE 21

Just as there were many who were appalled at him – his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness. (Isaiah 52:14)

And how did the people respond when Jesus was crucified? We’re told they shook their heads in disdain and made fun of him. If it was true as Jesus claimed that he was working for God, then shouldn’t God come down and save him? Matthew records the people mocking Jesus, saying: SLIDE 22

42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” (Matthew 27:42-43)

The hatred and scorn shown by those who crucified Jesus were prophesied in this psalm and again by Isaiah.

SLIDE 23 Fourth, there’s Christ’s submission to God.

9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God. (Psalm 22:9-10)

Despite what those at the foot of the cross were saying, Jesus knew that God was his Father. Like the generations past that trusted in God, Jesus trusted him too. Even as Jesus suffered, he was strengthened by meditating on how God had sustained him. Jesus had trusted and submitted to God from birth.

SLIDE 24 Fifth, there’s Christ’s suffering from the people.

11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. 15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. (Psalm 22:11-18)

The request is that God be near because there was no other help. The disciples had deserted him and fallen away. Those at the cross weren’t friends, they are described as animals. They’re compared to strong bulls, roaring lions, dogs, and wild oxen. But that’s what happens when people reject God, they act like animals. The crowd was like a bloodthirsty pack of beasts.

In the heat of the day, Jesus is described as losing his strength and being thirsty. We’re told one of the soldiers offered him a sponge soaked in wine vinegar.

Psalm 22 talks about the soldiers gambling for his clothes. Though all four gospels make mention of it, John gave the best description. SLIDE 26

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. SLIDE 27 24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” So this is what the soldiers did. (John 19:23-24)

It is believed that Jesus hung naked which is amplified when the psalm mentions all his bones being on display. Instead of feeling sorrow for Jesus, the people just stared and gloated.

SLIDE 28 Sixth, there’s Christ’s supplication to God.

After describing how he feels, there is a prayer for help. As he is being attacked from those around him, he feels abandoned and that God is far from him but still he prays.

19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 20 Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. (Psalm 22:19—21)

After all he has been through, how can he still reach out to God in prayer? It’s because he still trusts God. He doesn’t trust his feelings, he trusts God. Our emotions and feelings will let us down every time but God never will. So he asks God to be near and to deliver him from the wild animals that encircle him.

The last phrase in verse 21 reads:

Save me from the horns of the wild oxen. (Psalm 22:21b)

The verb translated “save me” literally means, “You have heard me.” God heard his cry when he was surrounded by wild animals. God heard his cry and delivered him.

This phrase serves as a transition for the psalm. So far, he has been crying out for help but now he is going to turn to thanking God for the deliverance he knows is coming. Even as he died on the cross, Jesus anticipated his Father’s deliverance. We hear it in his final words when he cried out to God. SLIDE 29

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

I should also note that this too is a quote from a psalm, Psalm 31. SLIDE 30

Into your hands I commit me spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faith God. (Psalm 31:5)

His last words from the cross were words of trust. Notice now how Jesus refers to God. Jesus originally referred to God as “God,” but now he’s once again calling on him as his father even though that’s not what Psalm 31 says.

Now we come to the last section of this psalm.

SLIDE 31 Seventh, there’s Christ’s Salvation for God.

22 I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. 26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him – may your hearts live forever! 27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.

29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him – those who cannot keep themselves alive. 30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31 They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! (Psalm 22:22-31)

You can hear the shift from a plea for deliverance to an affirmation of praise for God’s faithfulness. He talks of proclaiming God’s praise to the people. Jesus couldn’t do this from the cross. He could only do it after his resurrection from the dead. Therefore, even though Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1 and asks why God has forsaken him, he was actually referring to the entire psalm. Thus even this is seen as confirmation in his assurance of his resurrection. Even though he had been despised by the people, he wanted them to know that he had not been despised by God. God had not hidden his face but approved of the sacrifice Jesus made for us and for our sins.

Verses 27-29 talk about those who will kneel before the Lord: all the nations, the rich, those who have already died, and those who are still alive when Jesus returns. No one will be left out for everyone who has ever lived will kneel before the Lord on that day. Perhaps Paul was thinking about them when he wrote to the Philippians: SLIDE 32

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, SLIDE 33 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

SLIDE 34 The psalm ends talking about the generations to come who will also serve God and give his praise. It will not stop with him.

SLIDE 35 It’s been said that the greatest proof that the Bible is the inspired word of God is fulfilled prophecy. After all, only God knows the future and only he can bring it to pass. This is especially true of the events concerning the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Recorded hundreds of years before his birth, these prophecies were fulfilled perfectly in Jesus. This is also true of Psalm 22 which was written a thousand years before Jesus was born, but reads as if written by someone standing at the foot of the cross. You can see how descriptive this psalm is concerning the crucifixion of Jesus. The Son of God will be forsaken by God, put to death by evil men, yet remain fully confident in the faithfulness of God to deliver him. That speaks to us as well that we can trust God no matter what circumstances we face.

I’ll close with this comparison between Psalm 22 and Genesis 22. Psalm talks about how the Messiah will be forsaken by God, put to death by evil men, yet remain confident in the faithfulness of God. Genesis 22 is where God calls on Abraham to offer up his son Isaac upon Mt. Moriah, the place where Jesus will die thousands of years later. Genesis 22 is the first time the word “love” appears in the Bible. SLIDE 36

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love – Isaac – and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2)

At the cross, God showed his love for us.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)