Psalm 22

The Psalm of the Cross

Psalm 22:1-18

The tittle of the message this morning is the Psalm of the cross. What we have in Psalm 22 is prophecy. These are the very words and thoughts of Jesus as He hung on the cross dying for the sin of the world. What is interesting to me is it was written 1000 years before Jesus was born. It was written long before crucifixion was ever invented by the Romans, yet that is what’s described in detail here. What we learn from this Psalm is how to approach God during times of intense suffering.

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy,

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 In you our fathers trusted.

they trusted, and you delivered them.

5 To you they cried and were rescued.

in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,

scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me.

they make mouths at me; they wag their heads.

8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him.

let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb.

you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.

10 On you was I cast from my birth,

and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

11 Be not far from me,

for trouble is near,

and there is none to help.

12 Many bulls encompass me.

strong bulls of Bashan surround me.

13 they open wide their mouths at me,

like a ravening and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint.

my heart is like wax.

it is melted within my breast.

15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,

and my tongue sticks to my jaws.

you lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs encompass me.

a company of evildoers encircles me.

they have pierced my hands and feet—

17 I can count all my bones—

they stare and gloat over me.

18 they divide my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots. (pray)

Alone, helpless, and desperate, those are feelings we have all experienced. Life is full of ups and downs. Nothing is ever perfect, and nothing ever goes the way we plan. However, there are times in life we face a crisis so serious, we wonder how we will survive. There are times when something happens to us, we just can’t fathom, and the pain is so unbearable we feel overwhelmed.

We see a lot of those moments from David in the Psalms. We see times when his life is in danger, and he cries out to God and God delivers him. But Psalm 22 is different, because in Psalm 22 David cries out to God but there is no answer. In Psalm 22 David can’t feel the presence of God yet he knows, if God doesn’t come through, he is going to die.

What is interesting is we don’t read about anything like that in David’s life. I mean we read of times when David’s life was threatened and he was on the run, but nothing like what he is describing in Psalm 22. In Psalm 22 he is describing an execution. So, it is reasonable for us to conclude this is a holy Psalm. That this is talking about the Messiah, and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David is pointing us to the cross of Jesus Christ.

And that’s what we see, in striking detail, we are taken to the foot of the cross and given access to the very thoughts of Jesus, as He died for us. The details are so graphic and intimate many people refer to this as the fifth gospel. We are given information here you don’t find in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. This Psalm describes the punishment Jesus endured and the price He paid as He gave His life for the sin of the world. He teaches us to trust God, in times of intense suffering in our life.

The first thing I want you to see in this Psalm is the Separation, Vs. 1-5. The Psalmist begins with a rhetorical question. And it’s meant to show us the rejection and abandonment Jesus feels on the cross. Vs. 1 says, “My God My God, why have you forsaken me.” These are the same words recorded for us in Matthew 27, as Jesus hung on the cross and darkness covered the face of the earth.

What is interesting to me is all of this took place at high noon. It should have been the heat of the day but instead it was a time of darkness because God had placed the full weight of the sin of the world on the Savior. It was at this moment the humanity of Christ was separated from the holiness of God, and Jesus bore the punishment we deserve.

Notice He repeats it twice, “My God My God. This speaks to the urgency He feels, because for the first time in all of eternity Jesus is no longer in fellowship with the Father. Jesus had never spoken to the Father this way. He had always called Him the Father. Even earlier in the morning of the cross Jesus looked out at those who were crucifying Him and said,” Father forgive them because they know not what they do.” But now, He calls Him my God. This is an example of the separation He feels.

Peter spoke of this moment in 1 Peter 2:24 when he said, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.” Paul spoke of it in 2 Corinthians 5:21 when He said, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God” This is the moment Jesus is abandoned by the Father.

Let me ask you this, have you ever felt abandoned? Like you were going through something, and no one even cared? Well, I hope you are encouraged today, because Jesus has gone through it before us. He knows what it means to be abandoned. We have a Savior who has personally experienced grief and suffering on our behalf.

Notice the parallel of Vs. 1, “Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” In other words, there is no end in sight for what I am going through, and I don’t know how I am going to get through this. There is no help for me. At this moment He is crying out, but there is no answer. He is in this all alone, and there is no help coming. Why? Because this is the predetermined plan of God for His life. Jesus is going to die, and He realizes there is no escape.

Vs 2 continues to show us the distress He is under. It says, “O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.”

There is no relief from the agony He feels. It is important to understand that Jesus was on the cross for six hours; from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon. And from nine until noon, He hung in the hot sun, and that’s the day He is speaking of here, but at noon were told that darkness fell on the earth as the Father turned and looked away and placed the sin of the world on His Son.

So, the mention of day speaks of the first three hours and the mention of night speaks of the last three hours Jesus was on the cross. And when He says, “I have no rest, He means no rest from the suffering, no rest from the pain He is enduring. When Jesus was baptized there was a voice from heaven that said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” But this time there is no voice from heaven this time, only silence.

Notice how He begins to search for strength in Vs. 3. He says, “Yet You are holy.” The word “Yet” Implies the idea of; “even though God.” In other words, even though I am going through this. Even though I am separated from you. Even though you have turned your back on me, “Yet You are holy.” At this moment Jesus begins to think of His purpose in life.

He is hanging on the cross and He realizes, this is God’s plan. There is no other way. This is how sinners will be saved. He knows it is only through the blood of the cross that man can be redeemed. So, the Father is holy. He is the one who is on the throne. He is worthy to be praised.

Then Jesus turns His thoughts toward the patriarchs of Israel and how God had rescued them in the past. This is amazing to me because the humanity of Christ is reminding Himself of the faithfulness of God. Notice Vs. 4, “In You our fathers trusted, they trusted, and You delivered them.”

He is talking about Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. He is talking about Joseph and Moses and Arron. He is talking about Joshua and David and Daniel. He is remembering what God had done, and because God had always come through in the past, He is trusting God to come through in the future.

Throughout Israel’s history they put their trust in God and He never failed them. Even now as He hung on the cross, He has confidence in the promises of God. He knows there will be a resurrection.

Let me ask you this what are you going through today? Why do you need to have confidence in God? Maybe you need to remember what God has already done for you. Has God ever failed you? Romans 8:28 says, “God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love the Lord, those who have been called according to His purpose.”

Don’t you know you have been called according to the purpose of God. God has a plan for your life and because Jesus suffered on the cross and was separated from the Father, you and I never will be. You and I will never be abandoned by God. “He will never leave us; He will never forsake us.” He is Immanuel, He is God with us.

Vs 5, says, “To you they cried out and were rescued. In you they trusted and were not put to shame.” These are the very thoughts of Jesus on the cross, and what was He thinking? He was thinking of others. He was thinking about those who trusted God and were delivered.

There are times in our life when we don’t understand what God is doing and we can’t feel His presence. It is in those times we walk by faith, and we trust Him anyway, because no matter what we are going through, it doesn’t change who God is. He is still on the throne, and He still has a plan for our life.

The next thing I want you to see in this Psalm is The Scorn, Vs. 6-10. As Jesus suffered on the cross, He became the object of scorn and rejection from the people. His own people began to mock Him and gloat over Him.

Vs. 6 “But I am a worm and not a man.”This is a figure of speech. He is speaking of the persecution He feels. He’s just liked a worm. He’s crawling in the dirt. He’s being crushed by the feet of men. He was hanging on a cross but was being humiliated by people.

Notice the phrase “I am not a man.” Of course, He was a man, but you couldn’t tell anymore. He had been beaten to a pulp. He was unrecognizable. He has been whipped into a bloody mess. A crown of thorns has been pressed down into His skull. His hair and beard have been pulled out. Isaiah 53:14 says, “He was marred more than any man.” No one was ever hated and rejected more than Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53 also tells us, He did it for us. “He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.” How ironic is that? The one who would be the greatest blessing of love the world has ever known, is the one to endure the greatest hatred from the world He loved.

As Jesus hung on the cross dying for the sin of the world, He was not dying the death of a hero. He was not someone who was revered and adored. But He died the death of a criminal who was despised.

Notice Vs. 7, “All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads.” In other words, they are looking down on Him with contempt. They’re, mocking Him and belittle Him. Thousands of people would have been traveling in and out of Jerusalem for the Passover. And as they walked by Him, they were sticking out their tongues and shaking their head at Him in shame.

Vs. 8 “He trusts in the Lord let Him deliver Him.” This is an example of what they were saying to Him. They are throwing His words back in His face. He was teaching them to trust in the Lord and now they are using it against Him.

The very words of His enemies are recorded for us in Matthew 27:39-40, “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Jesus suffered abuse from the people around Him, and the lesson for us is, all who come to faith in Jesus Christ will suffer abuse from those around them. Maybe it’s from your family, friends, or co-workers, people just don’t understand why you want to live for God. Why would you want to serve a greater purpose in life?

Immediately, they begin to think it’s because you think you are better than them, when nothing could be further from the truth. A Christian is someone who knows they need Jesus. Someone who wants to live a life of faith, hope, and love, and the world will never understand that.

Again in Vs. 9-10 we are given the very thoughts of Jesus on the cross, and what is He thinking,? “even though I am suffering this way, I know God is in control. From the virgin birth until the cross. Every step of the way. Every choice He has made has been according to the will of God. So, he trusts the father, even on the cross.

This is a great example for us of what it means to trust God. We are to trust God no matter what we are going through. We are to live the way that Jesus died, with unwavering faith in the face of the scorn.

The third thing I want you to see in this Psalm is the Suffering, Vs 11-18. These verses give us the details of the intense suffering Jesus went through. The scorn was emotional, but now we see the physical suffering. There is no other way to explain this. This is an execution. The Psalmist gives us details of death by crucifixion hundreds of years before it was invented.

Vs. 11 says, “Be not far from me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” Jesus is whispering under His breath to God the Father, and He recognizes trouble is coming at Him from every direction. The Roman soldiers, the Pharisees, the Sadducees are all pressing in on Him. Everyone who hates Him is watching, even the people who earlier in the week hailed Him as their king are now waiting for Him to die.

He says, “there is none to help me.” He is all alone. The shepherd has been struck. The sheep have been scattered. He is suspended in midair, literally dangling between heaven and earth. He has been abandoned by God, and even His own disciples have fled. “There is none to help me.” I can’t help but think there are times in our life when we feel alone and rejected but we have a Savior who went through it as well.

Notice Vs. 12 He says, “Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me.” This is another figure of speech. Jesus is saying, they are acting like animals. They are like sharks in the water at the smell of blood. They are like bulls circling in an arena ready to charge me and gore me to death with their horns. Bashan was a fertile farming area known for producing the strongest bulls.

Then Vs. 13 He compares them to a ravening, roaring lions because they are terrorizing Him. They are threatening to tear Him to pieces. What He is describing here is blood thirsty people surrounding Him at the cross, and the animal instincts He sees in their eyes as they are watching Him suffer and die.

Vs. 14-15 speak of His draining strength as He is struggling to breathe. He is pushing Himself up with His feet on the cross and then sinking back down again. This cuts off the air flow from His lungs. He says, “I am being poured out like water, my heart is melting like wax and my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth.” This is the most intense suffering I can imagine. This can only be describing a very slow execution.

Vs. 16-18 give us some of the most jaw dropping prophecy in the Bible, the detail is incredible. He says, “they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, spikes were driven through His hands and feet. They only did this to the very worst criminals they executed. The common criminals would be tied to the cross. So, that tells you how they felt about Jesus. They wanted Him to suffer in the most horrible way He could suffer.

As Jesus was emaciated, dehydrated, and stretched out on the cross we are told in Vs 17 that His bones could be seen protruding through His skin. What a gross sight it must have been, yet the dogs were all around Him delighting over His agony. Only a few of those who loved Him stayed. His mother, the Apostle John and a few women watched in heartbreak and horror, but there was nothing that could be done.

This incredible prophecy ends in Vs. 18 with Jesus’ clothing being stripped away just to further His humiliation and disgrace. They hung Him naked on the cross for all to see. The Roman soldiers gambled for His clothing in the hopes of winning a trophy from the spectacle.

The author of the book of Hebrews gives us our application. Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

What this teaches us is; no matter how difficult life becomes we should be able to look to Jesus and what He did for us and find strength. Because the suffering of Christ is the greatest expression of God’s love. God is so concerned about us, He refused to spare His only Son that we might be saved.

Now, when we call ourselves Christians, we are identifying with His suffering. We are saying, we are willing to suffer alongside Christ.” We are the children of God, uniquely chosen and set apart for a purpose.

In this world there are times of loneliness, helplessness, and despair, but Jesus is our example of unwavering faith no matter what we are going through. You see the rest of this psalm continues the story and points us to the resurrection and salvation of God’s people.

And that is the hope we have in Christ Jesus and the trust we have in God the Father. So, I want to encourage you today, consider Jesus and what He has done for you. He is God’s perfect gift to us; “The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.”