Reflection on Psalm 22:1-31 - The Torture and Triumph of the Cross
The
The
Torture
Torture
of the
of the
Cross
Cross
(
(
22:1-21
22:1-21
)
)
[A
[A
lament
lament
psalm]
psalm]
5
5
. The
. The
suffering
suffering
of
of
one
one
. [Anguish]
. [Anguish]
The
The
Triumph
Triumph
of the
of the
Cross
Cross
(
(
22:22-31
22:22-31
)
)
[A
[A
praise
praise
psalm]
psalm]
5
5
. The
. The
salvation
salvation
of
of
many
many
. [Joy]
. [Joy]
The
The
Torture
Torture
of the
of the
Cross
Cross
(
(
Psalm 22:1-21
Psalm 22:1-21
)
)
with
with
New Testament
New Testament
references.
references.
1
My God
My God
,
my God
my God
,
why have
why have
you
you
forsaken me
forsaken me
?
(
Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Gal 3:13; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24
Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Gal 3:13; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24
)
Why are
Why are
you
you
so far from saving me
so far from saving me
,
so far from my cries of anguish [
so far from my cries of anguish [
roaring
roaring
]
]
?
2
My God
My God
,
I cry out by day, but
I cry out by day, but
you
you
do not answer,
do not answer,
by night, but I find no rest
by night, but I find no rest
.
(
Mt 27:45; Mk 15:33
Mt 27:45; Mk 15:33
)
3
Yet
you
you
are [
holy
holy
] enthroned as the
Holy One
Holy One
;
(
Lk 1:32, 35
Lk 1:32, 35
)
you
you
are the one Israel praises.
4
In
you
you
our ancestors
put their trust
put their trust
;
they
trusted
trusted
and
you
you
delivered them.
5
To
you
you
they
cried out
cried out
and were saved;
in
you
they
trusted
trusted
and were not put to shame.
11
Do not be
far
far
from
me
me
,
for
trouble is near
trouble is near
and
there is no one to help
there is no one to help
.
12
Many
bulls
bulls
surround me;
strong
bulls
bulls
of Bashan encircle me.
13
Roaring
lions
lions
that tear their prey
open their mouths wide against me. (
John 19:1-3
John 19:1-3
)
14
I am
poured out
poured out
like
water
water
, (
Luke 22:44
Luke 22:44
)
and all my
bones
bones
are out of joint.
(
Mt 27:35; Mk 15:24,25,27
Mt 27:35; Mk 15:24,25,27
)
My
heart
heart
has turned to wax;
it has melted within me. (
John 19:34
John 19:34
)
15
My
mouth
mouth
is dried up like a potsherd, (
John 19:28
John 19:28
)
and my
tongue
tongue
sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you
you
lay me in the
dust
dust
of
death
death
.
16
Dogs
Dogs
surround me, a pack of
villains
villains
encircles
me;
they
they
pierce
pierce
my
my
hands
hands
and my
and my
feet
feet
.
(
Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24, 25, 27; John 19:18, 37
Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24, 25, 27; John 19:18, 37
)
17
All my bones are on display;
people
stare
stare
and
gloat
gloat
over me.
(
Ps 34:20; Jn 19:36
Ps 34:20; Jn 19:36
)
18
They
divide
divide
my
clothes
clothes
among them and
cast lots
cast lots
for my garment.
(
Matthew 27:35; Luke 23:34b; John 19:24
Matthew 27:35; Luke 23:34b; John 19:24
)
19
But
you
you
,
Lord
Lord
,
do not be far from me
do not be far from me
.
You
You
are my strength
are my strength
; come quickly to
help
help
me
me
.
20
Deliver
Deliver
me
me
from the sword, (
Mt 26:39; Mk 14:36
Mt 26:39; Mk 14:36
)
my precious life from the power of the
dogs
dogs
.
21
Rescue
Rescue
me
me
from the mouth of the
lions
lions
;
save
save
me
me
from the
horns of the
wild
wild
oxen
oxen
. [
You
You
have answered me.
have answered me.
]
The
The
Triumph
Triumph
of the
of the
Cross
Cross
(
(
Ps 22:22-31
Ps 22:22-31
)
)
22
I
I
will
will
declare your name
declare your name
to my people
[
brothers
];
(
Mt 28:10; Jn
Mt 28:10; Jn
17:26
17:26
)
in the [midst of the] assembly
I
I
will
will
praise you
praise you
. (
Heb 2:12
Heb 2:12
)
23
You who fear the
Lord
,
praise him
praise him
!
All you descendants of Jacob,
honor him
honor him
!
Revere him
Revere him
, all you descendants of Israel!
24
For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help
but has listened to his cry for help
.
25
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you
I
I
will
will
fulfill my vows
fulfill my vows
.
26
The poor will eat and be satisfied; (
The poor will eat and be satisfied; (
Mt 5:3; Lk 6:20; 4:18
Mt 5:3; Lk 6:20; 4:18
)
)
those who seek the
those who seek the
Lord
Lord
will
will
praise him—
praise him—
may your hearts live forever
may your hearts live forever
!
27
All the ends of the earth (
All the ends of the earth (
Acts 1:8
Acts 1:8
)
)
will
will
remember and turn to the
remember and turn to the
Lord
Lord
,
and
all the families of the nations
all the families of the nations
will
will
bow down before him
bow down before him
, (
Revelation 5:9
Revelation 5:9
)
28
for
dominion belongs to the
dominion belongs to the
Lord
Lord
and
he rules over the nations
he rules over the nations
. (
Mt 28:18; Rev 19:15
Mt 28:18; Rev 19:15
)
29
All the rich of the earth
will
will
feast
feast
and
worship
worship
; (
Lk 19:8
Lk 19:8
)
all who go down to the dust
will
will
kneel before him
kneel before him
—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
(
Phil 2:10-11
Phil 2:10-11
)
30
Posterity
will
will
serve him;
future generations
future generations
will
will
be
told
told
about the
Lord
Lord
.
31
They
will
will
proclaim
proclaim
his
righteousness
righteousness
,
declaring to a
people
people
yet unborn
yet unborn
:
He has done it
He has done it
! [“
It
It
is
finished
finished
” [
τετέλεσται
τετέλεσται
] (
Jn 19:30
Jn 19:30
).]
The
The
Torture
Torture
(
(
Psalm 22:1-21
Psalm 22:1-21
) and the
) and the
Triumph
Triumph
of the
of the
Cross
Cross
(
(
Psalm 22:22-31
Psalm 22:22-31
)
)
“
“
My God
My God
,
,
my God
my God
,
,
why have you
why have you
forsaken me
forsaken me
?
?
Why are you so far from
Why are you so far from
saving me
saving me
,
,
so far from my cries of
so far from my cries of
anguish
anguish
?” (
?” (
Psalm 22:1
Psalm 22:1
)
)
Psalm 22
Psalm 22
has 3 expressions, 3
has 3 expressions, 3
experiences, 3 segments of the Cross.
experiences, 3 segments of the Cross.
1.
The
The
abandonment
abandonment
at
at
the Cross (
the Cross (
1-5
1-5
).
).
2.
The
The
anguish
anguish
on the
on the
Cross (
Cross (
6-21
6-21
).
).
3.
The
The
accomplishment
accomplishment
of the Cross (
of the Cross (
22-31
22-31
).
).
1.
The
The
crucifixion
crucifixion
of
of
Christ (
Christ (
1-21
1-21
)
)
2.
The
The
resurrection
resurrection
of
of
Christ (
Christ (
22-29
22-29
)
)
3.
The
The
commission
commission
of
of
Christ to the church
Christ to the church
(
(
30-31
30-31
).
).
The United Bible Societies’ Greek
The United Bible Societies’ Greek
New Testament (UBS GNT)
New Testament (UBS GNT)
The
7 last words
7 last words
of Jesus from the
Cross
Cross
[
+1
+1
more on the way to the cross]
Jesus turned and said to
them
them
, “
Daughters
Daughters
of Jerusalem,
do not weep for me
do not weep for me
;
weep
weep
for
for
yourselves
yourselves
and for
and for
your children
your children
” (
Luke 23:38
Luke 23:38
).
[
1
1
]
Jesus said, “
Father,
Father,
forgive
forgive
them
them
, for they do not know what they are
doing.”
(
Lk 23:34
Lk 23:34
)
And they
divided up his clothes by casting lots
(
Ps 22:18
Ps 22:18
).
[
2
2
]
“Truly I tell
you
you
, today
you
you
will be with me in paradise
will be with me in paradise
” (
Lk 23:43
Lk 23:43
).
[
3
3
]
When Jesus saw his
mother
mother
there, and the
disciple
disciple
whom he loved
standing nearby, he said to
her
her
, “
Woman, here is
Woman, here is
your son
your son
,”
27
and to
the
disciple
disciple
, “
Here is
Here is
your mother
your mother
” (
Jn 19:26-27a
Jn 19:26-27a
).
[
4
4
]
“
My God, my God, why
My God, my God, why
…”
(
Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Ps 22:1
Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Ps 22:1
).
[
5
5
]
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that
Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “
I am thirsty
I am thirsty
” (
Jn 19:28
Jn 19:28
).
[
6
6
]
“
It is finished
It is finished
” (
Jn 19:30
Jn 19:30
). Paul’s attitude and mindset (
Ac 20:24
Ac 20:24
).
[
7
7
]
“
Father
Father
,
into your hands I commit my spirit
into your hands I commit my spirit
” (
Lk 23:46; Ps 31:5
Lk 23:46; Ps 31:5
).
Why did Jesus have to be a man of
Why did Jesus have to be a man of
sorrow
sorrow
and
and
familiar with
familiar with
pain
pain
and
and
suffering
suffering
(
(
Isaiah 53:3
Isaiah 53:3
)?
)?
What was David writing about in
What was David writing about in
Psalm 22
Psalm 22
?
?
•
Did God not hear Jesus screaming in
excruciating agony
excruciating agony
?
•
Do/Have you feel
forsaken
forsaken
by God?
Forgotten
Forgotten
by Him?
•
Do you experience the
silence
silence
,
discipline
discipline
, or
displeasure
displeasure
of God because of a sinful pattern in your life?
**
**
What does
each word
each word
of
Psalm 22:1
Psalm 22:1
mean?
•
“My God, my God”
“My God, my God”
•
“why”
“why”
•
“have”
“have”
•
“you”
“you”
•
“forsaken”
“forsaken”
•
“me”
“me”
•
Is this a cry of
disbelief
disbelief
?
Doubt
Doubt
?
Is it
good
good
to
suffer
suffer
?
No
No
/
Yes
Yes
.
Why
Why
?
“…
the soul makes greater progress in the
the soul makes greater progress in the
spiritual life
spiritual life
…
when it is losing everything
when it is losing everything
…for
the way of suffering is safer
the way of suffering is safer
, and
more profitable
more profitable
than that of rejoicing and
of action.
In
In
suffering
suffering
God gives
God gives
strength
strength
… And
in suffering, the soul practices
in suffering, the soul practices
and
acquires
acquires
virtue
virtue
, and
becomes
becomes
pure
pure
,
wiser
wiser
,
and
more cautious.”
more cautious.”
—
St. John of the Cross
.
Can man attain
holiness
holiness
necessary for
union
union
with
God
God
?
“Until
a soul
a soul
is placed by God in the passive
purgation of that
dark night
dark night
…it cannot
purify itself completely...
No matter how
No matter how
much an individual does through his own
much an individual does through his own
efforts, he cannot actively purify himself
efforts, he cannot actively purify himself
enough…for the divine union...
enough…for the divine union...
God must
God must
take over and purge him in that fire that is
take over and purge him in that fire that is
dark for him
dark for him
.” –
St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross
.
1.
When in agony,
divine silence
divine silence
is
unbearable
unbearable
(
1
1
).
2.
The faithful sufferer feels
forsaken
forsaken
by God (
1-2
1-2
),
yet
waits
waits
for deliverance from God (
20-21
20-21
).
3.
Though deliverance may not come to the
faithful sufferer
faithful sufferer
(
19
19
) and despite the pervasiveness of evil and injustice,
God
God
still rules the world
still rules the world
(
28
28
) and will
accomplish
accomplish
his
will
will
(
31
31
).
4.
Enemies/oppressors
dehumanize
dehumanize
the victim/oppressed
to become less than human, even a
worm
worm
(
6; Isa 52:14
6; Isa 52:14
).
5.
Powerful oppressors
dehumanize
dehumanize
themselves to become
like
beasts
beasts
—
bulls, lions, dogs
bulls, lions, dogs
(
12, 13, 16, 20, 21
12, 13, 16, 20, 21
).
6.
Apart from Jesus, all
innocent sufferers
innocent sufferers
are sinful.
7.
Being
forsaken
forsaken
by God (
1
1
) is often the
way to being
found
found
by God (
31
31
).
My God, my God,
My God, my God,
WHY
WHY
…
…
•
The
worst
worst
of times precedes the
best
best
of times.
•
The way to make sense of
sadness
sadness
,
sorrow
sorrow
and
suffering
suffering
is to give careful thought to
Jesus’
forsakenness
forsakenness
.
•
Jesus had to go through the
worst
worst
of the
worst
worst
, so
that we can experience the
best
best
of the
best
best
.
•
Jesus had to be
dehumanized
dehumanized
as a
worm
worm
, so that
we can become
human
human
and not live as a
beast
beast
.
•
Jesus had to be
forsaken
forsaken
so that we can be
forgiven
forgiven
.
Jesus had to
Jesus had to
die
die
horribly
horribly
so that we can
so that we can
live
live
heroically
heroically
.
.
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “
Father
Father
,
into your hands I commit my spirit
into your hands I commit my spirit
.” When
he had said this,
he breathed his last
he breathed his last
. (
Luke
Luke
23:46
23:46
) When he had received the drink, Jesus
said, “
It is finished
It is finished
.” With that, he bowed his
head and
gave up his spirit
gave up his spirit
. (
John 19:30
John 19:30
)
The passage from Psalm 22 delves into the dual themes of lament and praise, highlighting the agony of the cross followed by the victorious accomplishment. It vividly portrays the suffering of Christ, showcasing the anguish and dehumanization he endured, juxtaposed with the salvation and humanization brought forth by his sacrifice. Through a series of poignant verses, the psalmist expresses the deep agony and abandonment experienced, ultimately leading to a powerful declaration of God's deliverance and future glory.
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The Torture of the Cross (22:1-21) [A lament psalm] The Triumph of the Cross (22:22-31) [A praise psalm] 1. All prayer. 1. All praise. 2. Focus on agony. 2. Focus on accomplishment. 3. The grim facts of the present. 3. The glorious facts of the future. 3. Deserted by God. 3. Delivered by God. 4. One is dehumanized. 4. Many are humanized. 5. The suffering of one. [Anguish] 5. The salvation of many. [Joy]
P A R The Torture of the Cross (Psalm 22:1-21) with New Testament references. T1 1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Gal 3:13; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:24) Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish [roaring]? 2My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.(Mt 27:45; Mk 15:33) 3Yet you are [holy] enthroned as the Holy One; (Lk 1:32, 35) you are the one Israel praises. 4In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. 5To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6But I am a worm and not a man, (John 19:5) scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 7All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. (Matthew 27:28-31; Mark 15:29) 8 He trusts in the LORD, they say, let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him. (Mt 27:39-44; Lk 23:35-37) 9Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother s breast. 10From birth I was cast on you; from my mother s womb you have been my God. (Luke 1:31, 35; 2:10-11)
11Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. 12Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 13Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me. (John 19:1-3) 14I am poured out like water, (Luke 22:44) and all my bones are out of joint.(Mt 27:35; Mk 15:24,25,27) My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. (John 19:34) 15My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, (John 19:28) and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
16Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. (Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24, 25, 27; John 19:18, 37) 17All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. (Ps 34:20; Jn 19:36) 18They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. (Matthew 27:35; Luke 23:34b; John 19:24) 19But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. 20Deliver me from the sword, (Mt 26:39; Mk 14:36) my precious life from the power of the dogs. 21Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wildoxen. [You have answered me.]
P A R T2 The Triumph of the Cross (Ps 22:22-31) 22I will declare your name to my people [brothers]; (Mt 28:10; Jn 17:26) in the [midst of the] assembly I will praise you. (Heb 2:12) 23You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! 24For 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. 25From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. 26The poor will eat and be satisfied; (Mt 5:3; Lk 6:20; 4:18) those who seek the LORD will praise him may your hearts live forever!
27All the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8) will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, (Revelation 5:9) 28for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. (Mt 28:18; Rev 19:15) 29All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; (Lk 19:8) all who go down to the dust will kneel before him those who cannot keep themselves alive. (Phil 2:10-11) 30Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. 31They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! [ It is finished [ ] (Jn 19:30).]
Forsaken (Psalm 22:1-31) The Torture (Psalm 22:1-21) and the Triumph of the Cross (Psalm 22:22-31) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? (Psalm 22:1)
Psalm 22 has 3 expressions, 3 experiences, 3 segments of the Cross. 1. The abandonment at the Cross (1-5). 2. The anguish on the Cross (6-21). 3. The accomplishment of the Cross (22-31). 1. The crucifixion of Christ (1-21) 2. The resurrection of Christ (22-29) 3. The commission of Christ to the church (30-31).
Ralph Muncaster, a former atheist, pointed out 23 specific details from Psalm 22 that were fulfilled in the New Testament.
The United Bible Societies Greek New Testament (UBS GNT) According to the UBS GNT, quotations, allusions and verbal parallels in Psalm 22 are referred to some 24 times in the N.T. with 4 direct quotations and 20 allusions or verbal parallels (14/20 are in the narratives of Jesus passion and crucifixion).
The 7 last words of Jesus from the Cross [+1 more on the way to the cross] Jesus turned and said to them, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children (Luke 23:38). [1] Jesus said, Father, forgivethem, for they do not know what they are doing. (Lk 23:34)And they divided up his clothes by casting lots (Ps 22:18). [2] Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise (Lk 23:43). [3] When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, Woman, here is your son, 27and to the disciple, Here is your mother (Jn 19:26-27a). [4] My God, my God, why (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34; Ps 22:1). [5] Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, I am thirsty (Jn 19:28). [6] It is finished (Jn 19:30). Paul s attitude and mindset (Ac 20:24). [7] Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Lk 23:46; Ps 31:5).
Why did Jesus have to be a man of sorrow and familiar with pain and suffering (Isaiah 53:3)? Jesus suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9).
What was David writing about in Psalm 22? Did God not hear Jesus screaming in excruciating agony? Do/Have you feel forsaken by God? Forgotten by Him? Do you experience the silence, discipline, or displeasure of God because of a sinful pattern in your life? ** What does each word of Psalm 22:1 mean? My God, my God why have you forsaken me Is this a cry of disbelief? Doubt?
Is it good to suffer? No/Yes. Why? the soul makes greater progress in the spiritual life when it is losing everything for the way of suffering is safer, and more profitable than that of rejoicing and of action. In suffering God gives strength And in suffering, the soul practices and acquires virtue, and becomes pure, wiser, and more cautious. St. John of the Cross.
Can man attain holiness necessary for union with God? Until a soul is placed by God in the passive purgation of that dark night it cannot purify itself completely... No matter how much an individual does through his own efforts, he cannot actively purify himself enough for the divine union... God must take over and purge him in that fire that is dark for him. St. John of the Cross. Any questions, thoughts, comments, or reflections?
1. When in agony, divine silence is unbearable (1). 2. The faithful sufferer feels forsaken by God (1-2), yet waits for deliverance from God (20-21). 3. Though deliverance may not come to the faithful sufferer (19) and despite the pervasiveness of evil and injustice, God still rules the world (28) and will accomplish his will (31). 4. Enemies/oppressors dehumanize the victim/oppressed to become less than human, even a worm (6; Isa 52:14). 5. Powerful oppressors dehumanize themselves to become like beasts bulls, lions, dogs (12, 13, 16, 20, 21). 6. Apart from Jesus, all innocent sufferers are sinful. 7. Being forsaken by God (1) is often the way to being found by God (31).
My God, my God, WHY The worst of times precedes the best of times. The way to make sense of sadness, sorrow and suffering is to give careful thought to Jesus forsakenness. Jesus had to go through the worst of the worst, so that we can experience the best of the best. Jesus had to be dehumanized as a worm, so that we can become human and not live as a beast. Jesus had to be forsaken so that we can be forgiven. Jesus had to die horribly so that we can live heroically.
Jesus called out with a loud voice, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, It is finished. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30) They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! (Psalm 22:31).
