From Psalms 21-25
Which of David’s Psalms best predicts what happens to Jesus?
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
David wrote this Psalm a long time ago. He writes about his present situation and it is dire because he fears the LORD has abandoned him to his enemies. The Psalm is special because David is the messiah. The Christ.
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. (Ps 22.1-2)
David calls out to the LORD. He believes God has forsaken him. He is probably being pursued by his enemies, maybe Saul and he perceives this as a sign of the LORD’s disfavour. This does not stop him for crying out to the LORD, rather the opposite. He calls out more and more because he knows the LORD is good.
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. (Ps 22.3-5)
David remembers his ancestors. They trusted in the LORD in evil times and they were rescued. In his time of need David remembered. Likewise we need to remember the people of old and be encouraged by their example and the way the LORD saved them.
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!” (Ps 22.6-8)
David is mocked by the people around him. They don’t believe in the LORD. Nor do they have compassion for David. Rather they ridicule him while he suffers. When David’s chips were down, people around him deserted him. They could see he trusted in the LORD despite his circumstances and they despised him for it. Sometimes trusting in the LORD will mean the ridicule of some who do not believe.
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. (Ps 22.9-11)
David remembers again his origin. From birth he came to know the LORD. From the beginning of his life, he has always known about God, that he is near and can help. What a special encouragement it is for him to know the LORD is with him. To know, the LORD has always been with him.
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. (Ps 22.12-15)
David is besieged by his enemies. He does not believe he can overcome them by himself. His strength is spent.
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. (Ps 22.16-19)
These enemies have struck and hurt yet none of his bones have been broken. His enemies have taken his clothing and bet against each other to win them.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! (Ps 22.19-22)
David calls out to the LORD that he may help him. His enemies will kill him. He describes his enemies as powerful animals. They are inhuman. He trusts in the LORD. When the LORD does save him from his enemies he will praise his name.
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever! (Ps 22.22-26)
He will tell others about how the LORD has saved him. That the LORD has compassion on those who call out to him, trusting he will look after them. As he does. Those who seek the LORD shall praise him.
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it. (Ps 22.27-31)
David will not be alone in praising the LORD, many will worship him and proclaim his righteous salvation of his people and judgment on their enemies.
Story of Jesus
Now David was the Christ, but there was another that would follow him. His name is Jesus and this Psalm speaks of him as well. When Jesus hung on the cross he cried out to his father;
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:45–46; Mk 15.34; cf. Ps 22.1)
When he hung on the cross the people around him mocked him (Mt 27.27-31). They cried, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is 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 deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” (Mt 27:42–43) David predicted too.
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!” (Ps 22.7-8)
When Jesus trusted in the LORD most it was on the cross. He was surrounded by mockers and the guards who beat him, lashed him and nailed him down. The stripped him of his clothing and cast lots for them (Mt 27.35). And so David predicted.
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. (Ps 22.16-19)
Through it all Jesus trusted in the LORD to save him.
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. (Ps 22.4-5)
He was rescued from death when God raised him on the third day. David’s Psalm predicted the Christ’s suffering. It shows that Jesus is the promised Christ, the Son of God.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
