Psalm 22: Suffering Servant of God
The Suffering Servant would know great agony, persecution, and shame; but such would turn to a great victory to the benefit of all!
Psalm 22: Suffering Servant of God
The Suffering Servant would know great agony, persecution, and shame; but such would turn to a great victory to the benefit of all!
- Perception of Abandonment (v1-2)
- The writer/speaker begins by expressing his overwhelming feeling of being all alone, even from God. These words are uttered by Jesus on the cross in the moment when God could not help Him (Matt. 27.46).
- Yet they may have been more emotion than fact (Jn 8:29; 16:32; Isa. 53:10-12); surely we can know that we don’t have to feel this way (1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5-6).
- Plea for Help (v3-21)
- Though humble and reproached, he knows God has helped before (v3-10). Even in his despair, he recognizes the holiness of God and turns to Him who has before proved His care; he has trusted in the past and will yet trust (Ps. 139; 2 Cor. 1:10). Again consider parallels to Christ’s suffering (Matt. 27:39-44; Mk. 15:29-30; Lk. 23:35).
- Therefore he turns to God in his present need (v11-21). He expresses his state and concern to God (Col. 4:2; Heb. 4:14-16). Again parallels Christ’s suffering (John 19:23-24,37; Lk. 23:27, 35).
- Praise for God who has Heard and Helped (v22-31)
- Changes to a note of victory; God has heard his cry and aided him; so he will tell others of what God has done and call them to praise Him! (v22-25; Jn 20:1, 17; Heb 2:12; Matt. 28:19-20)
- The world and future generations will hear of what God has done to the glory of His Kingdom. (v26-31) We can rejoice for what God has done and praise Him (Rom. 8::17-18; 2 Tim. 2:11-12), calling others to follow Him (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
