Psalms 22
22
A Prophetic Portrait of the Cross # 22 Thirty-three prophecies from this psalm were fulfilled when Jesus was on the cross.
For the Pure and Shining One
David’s song of anguish
To the tune of “The Deer at the Dawning of the Day” # 22 This could be an amazing picture of Christ giving birth at the cross to a generation of his seed. They are like children of God born in the dawning of that resurrection morning.
The Cross
1God, my God!
Why would you abandon me now? # 22:1 When Jesus quoted these words while dying on the cross, he was identifying himself as the one David wrote about in this psalm. It is a breathtaking portrayal of what Jesus endured through his suffering for us. The psalm ends with another quotation of Jesus on the cross: “It is finished!”
2Why do you remain distant,
refusing to answer # 22:2 David used poetic nuance here, for the word “answer” (‘anah) is also a Hebrew homonym for “affliction.” my tearful cries in the day
and my desperate cries for your help in the night?
I can’t stop sobbing.
Where are you, my God?
3Yet I know that you are most holy.
You are God-Enthroned, the praise of Israel.
4Our fathers’ faith was in you—
through the generations they trusted in you
and you came through.
5Every time they cried out to you in their despair,
you were faithful to deliver them;
you didn’t disappoint them.
6But I am like a worm,
crushed and bleeding crimson, # 22:6 The Hebrew word for “worm” is tola, which is also the word for “crimson” or “scarlet.” Tola was a certain worm in the ancient Near East that, when crushed, bled a crimson color so strong it was used as a dye for garments. Jesus was not saying he was a despised worm, but that he will bleed as he is crushed for our sins.
treated as less than human.
I’ve been despised and scorned by everyone!
7Mocked by their jeers, despised with their sneers,
as all the people poke fun at me, spitting their insults,
8saying, “Is this the one who trusted in God?
Now let’s see if Yahweh will come to your rescue!
Let’s see how much he delights in him!”
9Lord, you delivered me safely from my mother’s womb.
You are the one who cared for me ever since I was a baby.
10Since the day I was born, I’ve been placed in your custody.
You’ve cradled me throughout my days,
and you’ve always been my God.
11So don’t leave me now, for trouble is all around me,
and there’s no one to help me.
12I’m surrounded by many violent foes like bulls;
forces of evil encircle me like the strong bulls of Bashan. # 22:12 The root word for “bull” means “to break or destroy.” The word Bashan, although known as a fertile land northeast of Lake Galilee, is also a word for “serpent.” These represent the many demonic spirits who came against the Son of God as he was being crucified.
13Like ravenous, roaring lions tearing their prey,
they pour curses from their mouths.
14Now I’m completely exhausted. # 22:14 Or “I’m poured out like water.”
Every joint of my body has been pulled apart.
My courage has melted away.
15I’m so thirsty and parched.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
And now you lay me in the dust of death.
16They have pierced my hands and my feet. # 22:16 As translated from some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Syriac; other Hebrew manuscripts read “Like the lion my hands and my feet.” This is a powerful prophecy of crucifixion, given by David many centuries before crucifixion was invented by the Romans.
Like a pack of wild dogs they tear at me,
swirling around me with their hatred.
A band of evil men surrounds me.
17I can count all my bones.
Look at how they gloat over me and stare!
18With a toss of the dice they divide my clothes among themselves,
gambling for my garments!
19Yahweh, please don’t stay far away.
My strength, come quickly to my rescue.
20Give me back my life.
Save me from this violent death.
Save my precious one and only # 22:20 Or “unique” or “darling.” Each of us is that “one and only” child or “unique darling” mentioned here in this psalm. See Song. 6:9. On the cross, Jesus—like a deer giving birth at the dawning light (see inscription of Ps. 22)—cared less that his body was being torn apart and more about our protection and salvation. He prayed for us as he faced death on the cross.
from the power of these dogs! # 22:20 The “dogs” are metaphors for evil spirits who were bent on destroying Jesus on the cross. The Hebrew word for “dog” is taken from a root word meaning “to attack.”
21Save me from all the power of the enemy,
from this roaring lion raging against me
and the power of his dark horde.
The Resurrection
22I will declare your name before all my brothers
and praise you in the midst of the congregation. # 22:22 Between v. 21 and v. 22 the glorious resurrection of Jesus takes place. The music is elevated to a higher key as victory is sounded forth. “My people gather” is a reference to the church that was birthed through his resurrection glory. (See also v. 25.)
23Those who fear Yahweh, praise him!
Let all the seed of Jacob glorify him with your praises.
Stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24For he has not despised my cries of deep despair.
He’s my first responder to my sufferings,
and when I was in pain,
he was there all the time and heard the cries of the afflicted.
25You’re the reason for my praise; it comes from you and goes to you.
I will keep my promise to praise you before all who fear you
among the congregation of your people.
26Let all the poor and broken eat until satisfied.
Bring Yahweh praise and you will find him.
May your hearts overflow with life forever!
27From the four corners of the earth,
the peoples of the world will remember and return to Yahweh.
Every nation will come and worship him.
28For Yahweh is King of all, who takes charge of all the nations.
29The wealthy of this world will feast in fellowship with him
right alongside the humble of heart,
bowing down to the dust, forsaking their own souls.
They will all come and worship this worthy King!
30His spiritual seed # 22:30 Jesus, our crucified Savior, had no natural offspring. These are the sons and daughters who were birthed by the work of the cross. shall serve him.
Future generations will hear from us
about the wonders of the Victorious Lord.
31His generation yet to be born will glorify him.
And they will all declare, “It is finished!” # 22:31 Or “He has done it!” See John 19:30.
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationPsalms 22
22
To the director: To the tune “The Deer of Dawn.”#Psalm 22 “The Deer of Dawn” This is probably the name of the tune for this song, but it might refer to a music style or type of instrument. A song of David.
1My God, my God, why have you left me?
You seem too far away to save me,
too far to hear my cries for help!
2My God, I kept calling by day,
and I was not silent at night.
But you did not answer me.
3God, you are the Holy One.
You sit as King upon the praises of Israel.
4Our ancestors trusted you.
Yes, they trusted you, and you saved them.
5They called to you for help and escaped their enemies.
They trusted you and were not disappointed!
6But I feel like a worm, less than human!
People insult me and look down on me.
7Everyone who sees me makes fun of me.
They shake their heads and stick out their tongues at me.
8They say, “Call to the Lord for help.
Maybe he will save you.
If he likes you so much, surely he will rescue you!”
9God, the truth is, you are the one who brought me into this world.
You made me feel safe while I was still at my mother’s breasts.
10You have been my God since the day I was born.
I was thrown into your arms as I came from my mother’s womb.
11So don’t leave me!
Trouble is near, and there is no one to help me.
12My enemies surround me like angry bulls.
They are like the powerful bulls of Bashan, and they are all around me.
13Their mouths are opened wide,
like a lion roaring and tearing at its prey.
14My strength is gone,
like water poured out on the ground.
My bones have separated.
My courage is gone.#22:14 My courage is gone Literally, “My heart is melted inside me like wax.”
15My mouth#22:15 mouth Or “strength.” is as dry as a piece of baked pottery.
My tongue is sticking to the roof of my mouth.
You have left me dying in the dust.
16The “dogs” are all around me—
a pack#22:16 pack A group of dogs. Dogs travel together in packs to hunt and kill other animals for food. of evil people has trapped me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.#22:16 They … feet Literally, “Like a lion, my hands and feet.”
17I can see each one of my bones.
My enemies are looking at me;
they just keep staring.
18They divide my clothes among themselves,
and they throw lots for what I am wearing.
19Lord, don’t leave me!
You are my strength—hurry and help me!
20Save me from the sword.
Save my precious life from these dogs.
21Rescue me from the lion’s mouth.
Protect me from the horns of the bulls.#22:21 Protect me … bulls Or “You have answered me and protected me from the horns of the bulls.” This could be both a prayer for help (like the first half of the psalm) and also a statement that God had answered this prayer (like the second half of the psalm).
22I will tell my people about you.
I will praise you in the great assembly.
23Praise the Lord, all you who worship him!
Honor him, you descendants of Jacob!
Fear and respect him, all you people of Israel!
24He does not ignore those who need help.
He does not hate them.
He does not turn away from them.
He listens when they cry for help.
25Lord, because of you I offer praise in the great assembly.
In front of all these worshipers I will do all that I promised.
26Poor people, come eat and be satisfied.#22:26 come eat … satisfied This person was giving a thank offering that would be shared with other people at the Temple. This was how someone shared their happiness when God blessed them. See Lev. 3:1-5 and Deut. 14:22-29.
You who have come looking for the Lord, praise him!
May your hearts be happy#22:26 be happy Literally, “live.” forever.
27May those in faraway countries remember the Lord and come back to him.
May those in distant lands worship him,
28because the Lord is the King.
He rules all nations.
29The people have eaten all they wanted
and bowed down to worship him.
Yes, everyone will bow down to him—
all who are on the way to the grave, unable to hold on to life.
30Our descendants will serve him.
Those who are not yet born will be told about him.
31Each generation will tell their children
about the good things the Lord has done.
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