sign in sign up
<<
Home , Psalm 22

Andrew’s Live Study Notes – 3/21/17 Psalm 22

 Psalm 22:1 – My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Note for Psalm 22:1 These words were quoted by Jesus on the cross (Matt. 27:46 and :34). This is a prophetic psalm. This was Jesus speaking. We deserved to be forsaken for our sins, so Jesus took our sins and bore our rejection by God. Verse three of this chapter gives the reason the Father forsook His Son. It was because Jesus became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21 and 1 Pet. 2:24).

Psalm 22 is a prophetic psalm that speaks of the and gives us insight into the generation of the Lord (Ps. 22:30 with Ps. 24:6).

Eight verses from Psalm 22 were quoted in the and applied directly to Jesus’ death on the cross: 1. Psalm 22:1 with :46 and Mark 15:34 2. Psalm 22:7 with Matthew 9:24, 27:39; and Mark 15:29 3. Psalm 22:8 with Matthew 27:43 and :35 4. Psalm 22:14 with Luke 22:44 5. Psalm 22:15 with :28 6. Psalm 22:16 with Luke 24:40; John 20:20, and 26‐27 7. Psalm 22:18 with Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, and John 19:23‐24 8. Psalm 22:22 with :11‐12

Through these fulfilled prophecies, it is easy to see that Jesus was speaking through in Psalm 22 about His crucifixion.

 Psalm 22:2 – O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

Note for Psalm 22:2 Jesus was forsaken by His Father on the cross because He became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). During that time, Jesus cried out to His Father, but there was no answer. Jesus gave the reason for this in the next verse.

 Psalm 22:3 – But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Note for Psalm 22:3 God is holy. And when Jesus became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21), His Father forsook Him because of our sin that entered into His body (1 Pet. 2:24). Jesus bore our banishment for us so that we would never be forsaken by the Lord. Thank You, Jesus!

 Psalm 22:4 – Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

Note for Psalm 22:4 Scripture is full of examples of those who trusted in the Lord and He delivered them. But our heavenly Father didn’t deliver Jesus from the cross, because Jesus was born to die for our sins (1 Pet. 2:24). There was no other way to accomplish salvation.

 Psalm 22:5 – They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

Note for Psalm 22:5 Just as in Psalm 20:1, we have to cry to the Lord to get our deliverance (James 4:2).

Others cried to the Lord and were delivered, but Jesus would have to bear the full brunt of God’s wrath. There would be no deliverance for Him until He had paid the full price for our sins (2 Cor. 5:21).

 Psalm 22:6 – But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Note for Psalm 22:6 Remember that this was a prophetic psalm with Jesus being the speaker (see my note at Ps. 22:1). Jesus bore our sins and became vile in the sight of His Father and in the eyes of men. Jesus fully bore our sin and shame so that, here, He said He was a worm and no man. What great love!

The Hebrew word towlà, which was translated “worm” in this verse, means “a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of 8144) the crimson‐grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cloths dyed therewith” (Strong’s Concordance). The New International Version says, “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.” The Message says, “And here I am, a nothing—an earthworm, something to step on, to squash.” It is incredible that Almighty God would submit to this. But He did this and much more than we will ever realize in this life, because of His awesome love for us (see Eph. 2:4 in the Amplified Bible).

 Psalm 22:7 – All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying…

Note for Psalm 22:7 Jesus was laughed to scorn in Matthew 9:24. As He hung on the cross, Matthew 27:39 says, “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads” (see also Mark 15:29). See my note at Psalm 22:1 for a list of all the verses in Psalm 22 that were applied to Jesus in the New Testament.

 Psalm 22:8 – He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Note for Psalm 22:8 This was fulfilled in Matthew 27:43 – “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” This was also recorded in Luke 23:35.

All of the verses in this psalm that were directly fulfilled in Jesus are incredible. But this verse even gives the exact words that would be spoken at Jesus’ crucifixion, which took place nearly a thousand years after David wrote this. Amazing!

It speaks well of Jesus’ holiness that the worst thing His accusers could say about Him was that He trusted in God.

 Psalm 22:9 – But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.

Note for Psalm 22:9 This is a prophetic psalm (see my note at Ps. 22:1). Therefore, Jesus was saying that God quickened hope in Jesus while He was still nursing. This gives us some insight into the silent years of Jesus’ childhood. Even as a suckling child, Jesus was in communion with His Father. Hope was one of the first things to operate in Jesus. Hope is the thermostat for faith.

 Psalm 22:10 – I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.

Note for Psalm 22:10 Jesus knew His Father from His mother’s womb. We don’t know to what degree, but this verse is clearly stating that He was trusting in God from the time He was born. However, Luke 2:52 clearly states that Jesus increased in wisdom as He grew. There was an ever‐increasing revelation of His Father and His own identity. Part of Satan’s temptation was to try to get Him to do something to prove who He was (Matt. 4:3, 6; Luke 4:3, and 9).

Jesus knew His Father God from His mother’s belly, but there is no scripture that speaks of Him being filled with the Holy Spirit in His mother’s womb as John the Baptist was (:41). Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism in the Jordan River by John (Matt. 3:16 and Luke 3:21‐22).

 Psalm 22:11 – Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

Note for Psalm 22:11 Notice Jesus’ total dependency upon His Father for His protection. If our sinless Savior was like this, how can we ever justify self‐dependency and doing things our own way?

 Psalm 22:12 – Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

Note for Psalm 22:12 I believe this was fulfilled in the life of Jesus when the Pharisees, the elders of the Jews (Matt. 27:1), and the Roman rulers Pilate and Herod (Acts 4:27) came against Jesus. Certainly, this also included the devil and all his imps.

 Psalm 22:13 – They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

Note for Psalm 22:13 Words can be vicious. Death and life are in the power of our tongue (Prov. 18:21). Terrible things were said about our sinless Savior. One word from Him would have killed them all, but he only blessed with His words. What a Savior!

 Psalm 22:14 – I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

Note for Psalm 22:14 I have read that a ruptured heart will release water from the body if it is punctured, as was the case when Jesus’ side was pierced with a spear (John 19:34). Also, when Jesus sweated “as it were great drops of blood” (Luke 22:44) during His agony in Gethsemane, this was symptomatic of His heart bursting. This is describing complete helplessness. It’s incredible that God would have done this for us. How could anyone with a revelation of how much Jesus suffered for us do anything but love Him and serve Him with their whole heart?

 Psalm 22:15 – My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Note for Psalm 22:15 How could God be reduced to be as weak as us? It’s only because of His love for us and the fact He chose to give His life as a ransom (Matt. 20:28 and Mark 10:45).

The part of this scripture that speaks of Jesus’ tongue cleaving to His jaws was fulfilled in John 19:28. See my note at Psalm 22:1 for a list of verses in this psalm that were directly fulfilled in Jesus.

 Psalm 22:16 – For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Note for Psalm 22:16 There is no scriptural record of David ever having his hands and feet pierced. This further establishes that this was a prophetic psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit as if it were Jesus speaking (see my note at Ps. 22:1). There was a direct fulfillment of this when Jesus was crucified (John 19:37; 20:20, and 25‐27). Compare this with :10.

 Psalm 22:17 – I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

Note for Psalm 22:17 Jesus could see all His bones as He was stretched out upon the cross. He was crucified naked. God didn’t shield Jesus from any of the punishment we should have borne.

 Psalm 22:18 – They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Note for Psalm 22:18 There was a very specific fulfillment of this prophecy. During the crucifixion, the soldiers parted Jesus’ garments among them and cast lots for His cloak: “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots” (Matt. 27:35). (See also Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, and John 19:23‐24.) Fulfilled prophecy is one of the greatest proofs of the inspiration of Scripture.

 Psalm 22:19 – But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

Note for Psalm 22:19 Jesus was forsaken by His heavenly Father because that’s the punishment we had coming (Ps. 22:1). Yet He knew this was but for a moment (2 Cor. 4:17). Jesus knew He had the power to lay down His life and the power to take it up again (John 10:18). As difficult as all His suffering was, He was looking forward to the joy of rising again and redeeming mankind (Heb. 12:2).

 Psalm 22:20 – Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

Note for Psalm 22:20 Jesus wasn’t delivered prior to death. But after His death, He conquered both death and hell (Rev. 1:18). !

 Psalm 22:21 – Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

Note for Psalm 22:21 Our adversary, the devil, is likened unto a lion (1 Pet. 5:8). The previous verse likened Satan unto a dog. Satan had Jesus in his grip, but God the Father delivered Jesus from this lion’s mouth. Hallelujah!

 Psalm 22:22 – I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Note for Psalm 22:22 This is quoted in Hebrews 2:11‐12 as being spoken by Jesus to illustrate our oneness with Jesus as brethren: “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” It’s amazing that Jesus would call us brethren. What great love!

See my note at Psalm 22:1 for a list of verses in this psalm that were fulfilled in Jesus at His crucifixion.

 Psalm 22:23 – Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

Note for Psalm 22:23 Praise is an integral part of fearing the Lord (Col. 2:7). We don’t truly fear the Lord if we aren’t praising Him.

 Psalm 22:24 – For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

Note for Psalm 22:24 The way the Lord didn’t despise our affliction was through the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of His own Son, as described in this psalm.

 Psalm 22:25 – My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

Note for Psalm 22:25 This whole psalm has been about the crucifixion of the Messiah, Jesus (see my note at Ps. 22:1). It describes unimaginable suffering, but it ends in praise. It doesn’t leave Jesus on the cross or in the grave.

 Psalm 22:26 – The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Note for Psalm 22:26 Those who seek the Lord praise Him—no ifs, ands, or buts about it. If we are seeking the Lord, we praise Him (Ps. 22:23).

 Psalm 22:27 – All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Note for Psalm 22:27 Since the crucifixion of Jesus (which this psalm predicted and described), truly people from all nations and kin have come to put faith in Jesus as their Savior. How this must have encouraged Jesus as He read this psalm of all the suffering He would go through! As Hebrews 12:2 states, it was this joy of those He redeemed that enabled Him to despise the shame associated with becoming sin for us.

 Psalm 22:28 – For the kingdom is the LORD’S: and he is the governor among the nations.

Note for Psalm 22:28 Under the Old Covenant, Satan was the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). All the kingdoms of the world were his (Matt. 4:9 and Luke 4:6). But this psalm is prophesying the transfer of all things to the kingdom of God through Jesus’ conquest.

 Psalm 22:29 – All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

Note for Psalm 22:29 “They that be fat” is speaking of the wealthy and prosperous. This is saying that everyone, from kings to peasants, will embrace the Gospel and follow Jesus.

This whole psalm is a prophecy about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus (see my note at Ps. 22:1). Yet this verse clearly states that “none can keep alive his own soul.” This is saying no mere mortal has the power to escape death. But Jesus said He had the power to lay His life down and then take it up again (John 10:18). This is another testament to the divinity of Jesus.

 Psalm 22:30 – A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

Note for Psalm 22:30 All New Testament believers are this seed through faith in Jesus (Gal. 3:16 and 29). Therefore, all true believers in Jesus throughout the church age are the generation that is being spoken of (Ps. 24:6). Compare with Matthew 24:34.

 Psalm 22:31 – They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

Note for Psalm 22:31 Notice that we are to declare His righteousness, not our own. Many religious people today are preaching that we have to do right to be right. But the New Covenant proclaims Jesus’ righteousness applied to our account for right standing with God the Father (Rom. 3:25‐26 and 2 Cor. 5:17).

This verse clearly shows that the end would not come during the time Jesus gave His life for us as this psalm described. His righteousness would be proclaimed to people yet to be born.