Grace Thompson
Psalm 22 is a lament, an anguished cry to God, asking why he has forsaken his people. The psalm is unusual in its structure and intensity of feeling, contrasting the psalmist's present distress with God's past mercy. It is a prayer that gives expression to feelings of abandonment and despair, but ultimately, it is a testament to trust in God. The psalm is significant in the New Testament, as its opening words are uttered by Jesus on the cross, and several other verses are quoted or alluded to in the accounts of his passion. Thus, Psalm 22 serves as both an expression of human suffering and a prophecy of Jesus' suffering, providing comfort and reassurance to believers facing their own trials and tribulations.
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What You'll Learn
The lament's structure and intensity
Psalm 22 is a lament unusual in structure and intensity of feeling. The psalm begins with a lament, or anguished cry, from David: "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?". This opening lament is a harsh reproach and a complaint, expressing the psalmist's sense of abandonment, distance, and silence from God. The psalmist's present distress is contrasted with God's past mercy, as David remembers God's past care in his own life and in Israel's history.
The intensity of the psalmist's anguish is evident in the harsh "why" questions directed towards God, showing their depth of despair and hopelessness. The psalmist feels that God, who should be their confidant and trustworthy partner, has forsaken them. This sense of abandonment is further portrayed in the psalmist's description of themselves as "a worm, not a man", expressing their isolation and dehumanization.
As the psalm progresses, the lament deepens as the psalmist finds themselves surrounded by enemies. The enemies are portrayed as wild animals, with the psalmist feeling encircled by a "company of evildoers". Despite this intense distress, the psalmist's faith in God persists, as seen in their plea: "But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!".
In the final third of the psalm, there is a reversal of the psalmist's predicament, as their lament turns to praise and trust in God. The psalmist's spirit is lifted, and they proclaim: "In the assembly I will praise you". This section becomes a universal chorus of praise, with the congregation joining in. The lament, therefore, concludes on a positive, faith-filled note, which is characteristic of psalms of lament.
The intensity of Psalm 22 is further highlighted by its connection to Jesus' suffering on the cross. Jesus quoted the opening words of the psalm, expressing His own anguish and identifying with humanity's suffering. This psalm, therefore, holds significant weight in the New Testament, as it reflects Jesus' unique suffering and sacrifice for His people.
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The psalmist's anguish and despair
Psalm 22 is a lament unusual in structure and in the intensity of feeling. The psalmist's anguish and despair are evident from the very first verse, where he cries out, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help?". The "why" questions here are harsh reproaches towards God, indicating the depth of the psalmist's anguish and sense of abandonment, distance, and silence from God. The psalmist feels that God, who should be a confidant and trustworthy partner, has forsaken him, leading to a sense of utter hopelessness and despair.
The psalmist's distress is further highlighted in the contrast between the present and the past. The psalmist remembers God's past faithfulness and mercy, such as "they trusted, and you delivered them...they cried and were rescued" (Ps. 22:4-5), and God's past care in his own life: "Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God" (Ps. 22:9–10). This contrast between the past and the present adds to the poignancy of the psalmist's lament.
The psalmist's anguish is also portrayed through vivid imagery of dehumanization and isolation. In verse 6, the psalmist describes himself as "a worm, not a man," emphasizing his sense of humiliation and powerlessness. The enemies surrounding the psalmist are described as bulls and wild animals, further emphasizing the psalmist's sense of being overwhelmed and under attack.
The psalmist's despair is so great that he feels as if he is dying in the absence of God. This sentiment is echoed in the crucifixion of Jesus, where Jesus himself quotes the opening words of Psalm 22, identifying with the suffering and despair expressed in the psalm. The psalmist's anguish and despair are universal emotions that many can relate to, and the psalm serves as a reminder that even in the depths of despair, trust and faith in God can ultimately triumph.
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Affirmation of trust in God
Psalm 22 is a lament that expresses the psalmist's anguish and sense of abandonment by God. Despite this, the psalmist affirms their trust in God, recalling God's past faithfulness and mercy. This trust in God is a critical element of the lament, demonstrating the psalmist's unwavering faith even in their deepest distress.
The lament begins with a sharp and anguished cry: "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help?". This opening verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, expressing the psalmist's despair and hopelessness in feeling forsaken by God. The psalmist's sense of isolation and dehumanization is further emphasized in verse 7, where they describe themselves as "a worm, not a man".
However, despite the psalmist's initial despair, the lament takes a turn towards trust and faith. In verses 4-5, the psalmist acknowledges God's past faithfulness and mercy: "In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame". The psalmist remembers how their ancestors put their trust in God and were rescued, reaffirming their own trust in God's ability to deliver them from their current predicament.
Furthermore, the psalmist also recalls God's personal care in their own life: "Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God" (Ps. 22:9–10). By remembering God's faithfulness in their own life, the psalmist strengthens their trust and reaffirms their belief in God's present faithfulness.
The lament ends on a positive note, with the psalmist bursting with trust and faith. The final section (Ps. 22:24–32) becomes a universal chorus of praise, where the psalmist proclaims: "In the assembly I will praise you" (Ps. 22:23). This shift from lament to praise is a common feature of psalms of lament, where the initial suffering and despair give way to glory and faith.
In conclusion, Psalm 22 is a powerful expression of trust in God, even in the midst of anguish and feelings of abandonment. The psalmist's affirmation of trust is rooted in their recollection of God's past faithfulness and mercy, both in their own life and in the history of Israel. This psalm serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can find comfort and strength in our unwavering trust in God.
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Reversal of the psalmist's predicament
Psalm 22 is a lament unusual in structure and in the intensity of feeling. The psalmist's present distress is contrasted with God's past mercy. The psalmist feels the abandonment, distance, and silence of his God. The tone of the psalm is sharp and reproachful towards God, showing the depth of the psalmist's anguish. The "why" questions in the psalm are not meant to be taken as genuine questions but rather as complaints. The psalmist is in utter hopelessness and despair, feeling that the God in whom he trusted is no longer with him.
However, there is a reversal of the psalmist's predicament. Despite feeling abandoned by God, the psalmist continues to pray and remember God's past faithfulness. The psalmist articulates his faith, recalling how God delivered their ancestors and cared for them in their personal life. This act of remembering God's past faithfulness is a spiritual remedy that assures the psalmist of God's present faithfulness.
The psalmist's initial anguish and lamentation turn into praise and trust in God. The psalmist's suffering and despair are transformed into a universal chorus of praise. This reversal is evident in the final section of the psalm (Psalm 22:24-32), where the psalmist expresses thanksgiving and invites others to share in the sacrificial banquet. The psalmist's spirit, which was once fallen, is now lifted up, and their praise elicits a wide echo of praise from the congregation.
The psalm is significant in the New Testament as its opening words were spoken by Jesus on the cross during his crucifixion. Jesus quoted the psalm to identify with humanity in their suffering, as he himself bore the agony and suffering of the cross. Through his own experience of despair and rejection, Jesus is able to comfort and help those who are going through similar situations.
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The lament's fulfilment in Jesus
Psalm 22 is a lament, and its opening words are uttered by Jesus on the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?". This anguished cry, expressing the depth of human suffering and the sentiment of abandonment, is a pivotal moment in the Christian faith. It serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and his identification with the suffering and dying.
The lament in Psalm 22 finds its fulfilment in Jesus' crucifixion. The psalm's description of physical suffering and despair mirrors the agony Jesus endured on the cross. The psalmist's words, "they have pierced my hands and feet—I can count all my bones" (Psalm 22:16-18), vividly portray the physical torment experienced by Jesus during his crucifixion. This prophecy of Jesus' suffering is a testament to the depth of his sacrifice and his willingness to bear the sins of humanity.
Moreover, Psalm 22 captures the emotional turmoil and sense of abandonment that Jesus may have experienced during his Passion. The psalmist's cry, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Psalm 22:1), reflects a profound sense of desolation and distance from God. Jesus, in his human nature, may have grappled with similar emotions as he faced the weight of sin and the apparent absence of divine comfort. This aspect of the lament highlights the depth of Jesus' empathy for humanity and his willingness to endure the full range of human emotions during his earthly ministry.
The lament in Psalm 22 also finds its resolution in Jesus. While the psalm begins with anguish and despair, it ultimately turns towards trust and faith. The psalmist's initial cry of abandonment is followed by a remembrance of God's past faithfulness (Psalm 22:4-5, 9-10). This shift from lament to praise reflects the Christian belief in the victory of hope over despair. Through his resurrection, Jesus conquered death and fulfilled the promise of salvation, thus embodying the transformation from suffering to glory found within the psalm.
Furthermore, Jesus' quotation of Psalm 22 serves as a powerful act of identification with humanity. By reciting the psalm's opening words, Jesus connects his suffering to the universal human experience of anguish and despair. He becomes the embodiment of human suffering, offering comfort and solace to those who endure similar trials. In sharing the words of the psalmist, Jesus bridges the divine-human gap and provides a model for believers on how to navigate their own moments of darkness and doubt.
Lastly, the fulfilment of Psalm 22 in Jesus extends beyond his crucifixion to his resurrection and ascension. The psalm concludes with a universal chorus of praise (Psalm 22:28-31), echoing the triumph of Jesus' resurrection and the proclamation of his glory. The psalm's progression from lament to praise foreshadows the ultimate victory over death and the fulfilment of God's promises through Jesus' resurrection and ascension.
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Frequently asked questions
The lament in Psalm 22 is a cry of anguish and a prayer for help. The psalmist expresses feelings of abandonment and despair, asking God why they have been forsaken.
The structure of Psalm 22 is unusual. It begins with a lament and an expression of distress and anguish (Ps 22:1-12). The middle section describes the psalmist's enemies (Ps 22:13-22). The final third is an invitation to praise God (Ps 22:23-31), ending with a universal chorus of praise.
The opening words of Psalm 22 are quoted by Jesus on the cross (Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46). Several other verses in the psalm are also referenced in the accounts of Jesus' passion. This psalm is seen as a prophecy of Jesus' suffering and death, and his identification with humanity in our suffering.
