시편 Chapter 22

Translation: ESV

1

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

Key Message

Calling God 'my God' even in the extreme anguish of feeling forsaken is a faith that does not give up — and Jesus lived this prayer himself.

▸Psalm 22 is the most important of the lament psalms, with Jesus himself quoting this first verse from the cross (Matt.

Psalm 22 is the most important of the lament psalms, with Jesus himself quoting this first verse from the cross (Matt. 27:46). 'My God, my God' — the doubled address expresses the urgency of extreme crisis. The feeling of God's abandonment is the deepest crisis of faith, but even in that situation calling God 'my God' is the expression of a faith that does not give up.

Related Verses

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?'
3

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Key Message

God inhabits the praises of his people, and confessing God's holiness even in the midst of suffering is faith.

▸'You who are enthroned on the praises of Israel' declares that God inhabits the praises of his people.

7

All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

Key Message

Mockery and public shame are among the most painful dimensions of suffering, and Jesus himself endured this pain.

▸The suffering of being mocked is described.

16

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—

Key Message

The piercing of hands and feet is interpreted as a prophecy of crucifixion, declaring that Christ's suffering was proclaimed beforehand through this psalm.

▸'They have pierced my hands and feet (ka'aru yadai veraglay)' is interpreted as the most direct prophetic reference to Christ's crucifixion by nails.

18

they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Key Message

The fulfillment of the detailed prophecy of dividing garments and casting lots proves that this psalm proclaimed Christ's passion in advance.

▸The scene of dividing garments and casting lots is fulfilled precisely in John 19:23-24, where John explicitly states this is the fulfillment of this psalm.

24

For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

Key Message

The feeling that God has forsaken is not reality — God is faithful even in suffering, listening and present.

▸A dramatic turning point from lamentation to praise occurs in this verse, declaring that God 'in reality' did not forsake.

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.

Key Message

The Messiah's suffering is for not one nation but all the families of the whole world, and through this suffering the whole world returns to God.

▸This is the conclusion where one person's lament psalm expands to the worship of the whole world.