Reflection on Psalm 22:1-31 - The Torture and Triumph of the Cross
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).
