The 22nd Psalm and the Crucifixion

by Jeff Estep

Introduction
    The 22nd Psalm was written by David while he was under attack from his enemies.  David probably did not intend for the 22nd Psalm to be prophetic; however, much of the song accurately fortells the agony of Jesus at the crucifixion.  Let us examine the 22nd Psalm and compare it to passages about the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.  All Scriptures quoted are from the NIV.
 
 

Psalm 22: Related Scripture: Other related Scripture: Notes:
vs.1- My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani", which means, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) Mark 15:34 Jesus probably felt lonely and helpless.  This calls attention to the Psalm's prophecy.
vs.2-O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent A continuation of the plea
vs.3- Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel Yet neither David nor Jesus lost faith in God.
vs.4- In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. "our" refers to Israel
vs.5- They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed As it is written:  "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (Romans 9:33) Because God had been faithful in the past, He could be counted on again.
vs.6- But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering...and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3) Matthew 16:21 Jesus was truly rejected by his people, and the world.
vs.7- All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads... (Matthew 27:39) Mark 15:29, Luke 23:35-36 Jesus underwent intense public humiliation.
vs.8- "He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord deliver him.  Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." (people speaking) He trusts in God.  Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, "I am the Son of God." (Matthew 27:43)
vs.9- Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.
vs.10- From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.
vs.11- Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
vs.12- Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. Verses 12 and 13 are figurative, not literal.
vs.13- Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.
vs.14- I am poured out like water, and my bones are out of joint.  My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.  Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (John 19:33-34) Psalm 34:20 The spear was driven into the pericardium and the heart, which brought blood and fluid from the sac around the heart,
vs.15- My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of the earth. Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." (John 19:28) Nearly dead, Jesus was probably dehydrated from the stress of the past 18 or so hours.
vs.16- Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. But he was pierced for our transgressions,...and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) An obvious reference to the crucifixion.
vs.17- I can count my bones; people stare and gloat over me. When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining... (John 19:23) Because Jesus was next to naked, his bones were on display for the stares of the crowd.
vs.18- They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:34) Matthew 27:35
Mark 15:24
John 19:24		 Gambling over his clothes was a harsh insult to Jesus, yet he did not hold it against them.
vs.19- But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my strength, come quickly to help me.
vs.20- Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. In the New Testament, Paul uses the word "dogs" to describe "those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh" (Philippians 3:2)
vs.21- Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen. Here ends the plea for help.  The psalm is a song of praise from verse 22 on.  I believe this praise is a celebration of Jesus' resurrection.
vs.22- I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. He (Jesus) says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will sing your praises." (Hebrews 2:12)
vs.23- You who fear the Lord, Praise him!  All you desendants of Jacob, honor him!  Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! A call to acknowledge the Jewish Messiah, who has defeated Satan by overcoming the grave.
vs.24- For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. (Hebrews 5:7) God has heard Jesus' cry and rescued him from death.
vs.25- From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
vs.26- The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him- may your hearts live forever! (Jesus speaking) "I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.  This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51) By believing in Jesus Christ, all people can have life "to the fullest".  The reward for faith is eternal life.
vs.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, The Lord will be king over the whole earth.  On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. (Zechariah 14:9) This good news is given to everyone.  Jesus can heal lives,  families and nations.
vs.28- for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. His name is above every other name.
vs.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. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11) The Bible says that sooner or later you will ackowledge Jesus as Lord.  Would you rather do it knowing you were about to enter eternal life, or do it knowing you were about to enter eternal death?
vs.30- Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.
vs.31- They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn- for he has done it. (Jesus speaking) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Jesus won the victory over the grave!  He is willing to forgive you of all transgressions and give you eternal life, if you make him the Lord of your life.

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