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Please choose a passage in Psalms 22
Psalm 22—A Psalm of David—begins with a terrible outcry that is quoted by Jesus shortly before His death on the cross. In this section, the psalmist complains to God about how God does not seem to be answering his prayers despite his desperate and repeated prayers to be delivered.
The psalmist contrasts his present anguish and his pain from feeling forsaken of God with reminders of God’s faithfulness to rescue the fathers of Israel who trusted in Him.
David, the psalmist reflects how greatly he is despised by the people—as a worm and not a man. He is openly mocked by all who see him. They appear to taunt David with his own words—Commit yourself to the LORD—as a way to ridicule his suffering and to delegitimize him as God’s appointed king.
David proclaims how He was chosen by God from before his birth to be His servant. He describes how his rejection of the people and his solitude with God was also predetermined.
The psalmist prays for God to stay near during His time of danger because no one else is present to help him. He describes being surrounded by powerful enemies who are positioned and eager to do him great harm.
David describes the painful conditions his body is suffering as he is surrounded by many powerful enemies. He is physically exhausted, is experiencing a painful heart—episode, and is severely dehydrated. His body is on the verge of death, but he appears willing to trust the LORD through the entire ordeal.
David describes his experience when he was held as a prisoner of his enemies who are probably Gentiles. He describes what they do to him. They bound or pierce his hands and feet. They strip him naked. And they cast lots to see which of them will possess his clothing.
David concludes the “cry of anguish” portion of Psalm 22 with a series of petitions to the LORD. He asks the LORD to come to his rescue and save his life from a violent and humiliating execution at the hands of his enemies. After making his requests, David tells the LORD “You answer me.” This short but confident expression of faith is his transition from Psalm 22’s “cry of anguish” to its “song of praise.”
This section begins the “song of praise” portion of Psalm 22. David vows to publicly give the LORD credit for rescuing him. He exhorts his fellow Israelites to praise and glorify God for what He has done. The LORD did not despise David’s sufferings, nor abandon him as naysayers wrongfully claimed, but God came to David’s aid in his time of need. The people’s praise of David is not because of what he did, but what the LORD did for him.
David’s vindication by the LORD is complete. David appears to move on from explaining about his life and begins to explicitly prophesy about a future moment when everyone on the earth and all the dead will come before the LORD and worship Him and submit to His rule.
David concludes Psalm 22 with a final prophecy about the Messiah and those who come after Him and are blessed by what He has done for them.
Psalm Chapter 22 begins with one of the most poignant cries in Scripture: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). This opening sets the tone for a psalm of lament, traditionally attributed to King David, who ruled over Israel around 1010-970 BC. David was a central figure in Israel’s history, and he composed many psalms that depict both his despair and his unshakable confidence in God. In this chapter, David feels utterly abandoned, suffering severely, and surrounded by adversaries. Yet, he still appeals to God’s faithfulness, reflecting a trust that stretches beyond his immediate agony.
The intensity of David’s suffering in this psalm resonates with other believers who have felt distant from God during trials. “They open wide their mouth at me, as a ravening and a roaring lion” (Psalm 22:13) captures the threatening environment David endures. Historically, he faced ongoing conflict in and around Jerusalem, the capital city he established after uniting Israel’s tribes under his reign. Surrounded by enemies on multiple fronts—both from neighboring nations and internal rebellion—David’s plea for deliverance reflects the turbulence of his kingdom. Yet, he roots his lament in Israel’s story, recounting how God consistently delivered their ancestors.
Psalm 22 transitions from despair to hope, shifting to a confident affirmation that God hears and rescues His faithful. David eventually anticipates public praise: “I will tell of Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You” (Psalm 22:22). In the larger context of the Book of Psalms, this transition emphasizes the overarching biblical theme of moving from lament to rejoicing in God’s steadfast love. Moreover, this trust in divine rescue is not limited to David’s immediate circumstance but anticipates the wider salvation story told throughout the Old Testament.
There is a clear connection between Psalm Chapter 22 and the crucifixion of Jesus, as Jesus quoted its opening words on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). Details in the psalm, such as “they pierced my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16) and the mention of casting lots for garments (Psalm 22:18), echo events recounted in the Gospels (John 19:23-24). This deepens the psalm’s significance as it not only encourages believers to trust God in their suffering, but also points forward to the redeeming work of Christ. So, while Psalm 22 arises from David’s deep distress, it ultimately heralds the triumph of God’s deliverance and offers a firm anchor for faith in God’s plan of salvation throughout the ages.
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