Here is the entire text of Psalm 22 in the ESV: http://ref.ly/Ps22
The Shepherd Psalms
Psalms 22, 23, and 24 are sometimes called the “Shepherd Psalms” because they speak of Jesus Christ in His shepherding ministry. In Psalm 22, the Good Shepherd dies for the sheep (John 10:11). In Psalm 23, the Great Shepherd lives for the sheep (Heb. 13:20-21). In Psalm 24, the Chief Shepherd returns for the sheep (1Pet. 5:4). Another way to view this trilogy is that the Messiah is portrayed as “Sufferer” in Ps. 22; as “Shepherd” in Ps. 23; and as “Sovereign” in Ps. 24.
If 16 could be called the Easter Psalm, then 22 could be called the Good Friday Psalm. But this psalm actually covers the entire weekend that changed the world. Three great redemptive acts of the Messiah are portrayed in Psalm 22:
His Crucifixion (Ps. 22:1-21). Because he was a prophet (Acts 2:30), David was able to write about the Messiah centuries before He came. Crucifixion was not a Jewish form of capital punishment, yet David described it accurately. As you read, see Jesus at Calvary: His cry to the Father (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 27:46); the period of darkness (Ps. 22:2; Matt. 27:45); the ridicule of the people (Ps. 22:6-8; Matt. 27:39-44); His thirst and pain (Ps. 22:14-15; John 19:28); His pierced hands and feet (Ps. 22:16; Luke 24:39); and the gambling for His clothes (Ps. 22:18; Jn. 19:23-24). Remember, He endured all of these things as an innocent sufferer on your behalf (2Cor. 5:21).
His Resurrection (Ps. 22:22-26). In these verses the Savior is no longer is suffering but is alive and in the midst of His people, leading them in praise for the mighty victory God has won (Heb. 2:11-12). Note that the Singing Savior joins us in worship! The first day of the week is the memorial to His resurrection, and we follow His example by meeting with God’s people along with Jesus as we praise Yahweh together. Resurrection day is victory day!
His Coronation (Ps. 22:27-31). The Messiah shares the resulting blessings of His obedient suffering with His church (Ps.22:22), with IsraeI (Ps.22:23), and now with the whole world (Ps.22:27-31). The psalm even contains an exhortation that we must get the message out to every nation that Messiah Jesus is Savior and King (Ps. 22:27). “May all peoples be blessed in him and all nations call him blessed” (Ps. 72:17).
IMPORTANT: This psalm is Messianic but that does not exclude suffering believers from also finding solace in His words. It is exactly because the Messiah is the sufferer par excellence that His sufferers can be comforted here. Ps. 22:1-5 thus provides some two-fold guidance drawn from the example of the Messianic Sufferer. What did He do in the face of the greatest suffering ever experienced by anyone?
1. Express Your Feeling Ps. 22:1-2
2. Confess Your Faith Ps. 22:3-5 - Thanks to Pastor Brent Reeves for these two points.
More “Messianic Matters” from Psalm 22 tomorrow!