Psa 22 | MHM | STEP | The Subject’s Complaint and Hope This psalm is often linked to Jesus Christ. Some people see Christ in the title, Aijeleth Shahar — The hind of the morning . Christ is sometimes compared to a swift or gentle deer in the Bible (Song of Solomon 8:14; Proverbs 5:19 ; Genesis 49:21 ). However, others believe this was just the tune for the psalm. In these verses, David shares deep feelings of sadness, trust, and hope. He also points forward to the suffering and victory of Jesus. This psalm teaches us what to do when we feel abandoned or mocked, and reminds us that God is still faithful. v. 1–2 : David begins by complaining about feeling abandoned by God. He cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1 ). He feels God is far away and does not answer his prayers, even though he cries day and night. This kind of spiritual loneliness is one of the hardest things for believers. Still, David keeps calling God, “my God” , showing he will not give up his faith. Jesus also used these exact words on the cross (Matthew 27:46 ), and in His suffering, He still trusted God, even when He felt alone (Hebrews 5:7; Isaiah 53:10 ).

‏ Psalms 22

The Subject’s Complaint and Hope

This psalm is often linked to Jesus Christ. Some people see Christ in the title, Aijeleth Shahar—The hind of the morning. Christ is sometimes compared to a swift or gentle deer in the Bible (Song of Solomon 8:14; Proverbs 5:19 ^a; Genesis 49:21 ^b). However, others believe this was just the tune for the psalm. In these verses, David shares deep feelings of sadness, trust, and hope. He also points forward to the suffering and victory of Jesus. This psalm teaches us what to do when we feel abandoned or mocked, and reminds us that God is still faithful.

v. 1–2: David begins by complaining about feeling abandoned by God. He cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1 ^c). He feels God is far away and does not answer his prayers, even though he cries day and night. This kind of spiritual loneliness is one of the hardest things for believers. Still, David keeps calling God, “my God”, showing he will not give up his faith. Jesus also used these exact words on the cross (Matthew 27:46 ^d), and in His suffering, He still trusted God, even when He felt alone (Hebrews 5:7; Isaiah 53:10 ^e).

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v. 3–5: Even though God seems far away, David reminds himself that God is holy and worthy of praise. “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3 ^f). God has always helped His people before when they trusted and prayed to Him. David remembers that their hope was never disappointed. This also gave Jesus hope, because God had always rescued the faithful in the past (Isaiah 50:7 ^g).

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v. 6–8: David says, “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people” (Psalm 22:6 ^h). He feels completely worthless and rejected. People insult him and laugh at him, saying, “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him” (Psalm 22:8 ⁱ). This was literally fulfilled when Jesus was mocked on the cross (Matthew 27:39; Matthew 27:43 ^j). Jesus let Himself be treated with the greatest shame to save us.

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v. 9–10: David finds comfort by remembering God’s care since he was born. “Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast” (Psalm 22:9 ^k). God has protected and provided for him from his earliest days. This gives him hope that God will not abandon him now. Jesus also remembered how God cared for Him from birth, even protecting Him from King Herod (Hosea 11:1 ^l).

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The Sufferings of the Messiah; The Messiah Supported in His Sufferings

This section describes the suffering of Christ and how He prayed during His pain. David also suffered, but many details here fit Jesus alone. This passage teaches us to expect difficult times and to turn to God for help, just as Jesus did.

v. 11: Jesus felt completely alone and in trouble. He prayed, “Be not far from me, for trouble is near, for there is none to help” . All His friends left Him, and only God could help. This shows that when everyone else leaves us, God is still able to help.

v. 12: His enemies were strong and powerful, like “strong bulls of Bashan” . The leaders and rulers who opposed Jesus were proud and fierce. They surrounded Him, working together against Him.

v. 13: They acted like wild animals, “They open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion” . Jesus’ enemies were cruel and eager to hurt Him, just like a hungry lion attacking its prey.

v. 14: Jesus describes His suffering: “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint” . He felt weak and close to death. His body was stretched on the cross so much that His bones felt separated. His heart was melting with sorrow and pain.

v. 15: He says, “My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death” . Jesus was extremely thirsty and exhausted on the cross (John 19:28 ^m). He felt very close to death, as if He was already in the grave.

v. 16: Jesus continues, “For dogs have surrounded me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet” . This describes how both important and ordinary people joined together against Jesus. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross, which was not a punishment used by the Jews, but by the Romans. This prophecy was fulfilled exactly in Jesus’ crucifixion.

v. 17: He says, “I can count all my bones; they look and stare at me” . Jesus’ body was weak and thin from suffering. People watched Him and did not feel sorry for Him.

v. 18: The soldiers took His clothes and divided them, casting lots for His garment: “They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots” (Psalm 22:18; John 19:23-24 ⁿ). This small detail shows how perfectly God’s word is fulfilled in Jesus.

v. 19: In His pain, Jesus continues to pray: “But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!” . Even when He could not feel God close, He still called out to Him for help and strength.

v. 20: Jesus prays, “Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!” . He asks God to save His life from violent enemies and from the suffering He was facing.

v. 21: He says, “Save me from the lion’s mouth! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!” . Jesus asks God to save Him from death and from Satan’s power. He remembers that God has helped Him before and trusts that God will help Him again. The Father did answer His prayer by raising Him from the dead.

This passage encourages us to think about Christ’s suffering and resurrection. When we face pain or feel alone, we can pray to God just as Jesus did, trusting that He will help us.

The Messiah's Triumphs; Extension and Perpetuity of the Church

This part of the psalm moves from suffering to victory. The same person who began the psalm in pain—the Messiah, Jesus—now speaks in triumph. The words here are quoted in the New Testament about Jesus (Hebrews 2:12 ^o). Christ’s suffering led to joy and praise, and His victory brings blessings to all who trust Him. This section shows the results of Christ’s sacrifice: a worldwide church, praise to God, and hope for every generation.

v. 22: Jesus declares, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you” (Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:12 ^p). After His suffering, Jesus shares the good news about God with His followers. He is not ashamed to call us His family. He leads His people in praising God.

v. 23: All who respect God are called to praise Him: “You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him, all you offspring of Israel!” . Everyone who belongs to God is invited to worship Him with respect and joy.

v. 24: God did not ignore the suffering of the Messiah. “For He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; He has not hidden His face from him, but has heard, when he cried to Him” . God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice and answered His prayers. This is a reason for us to be thankful and to trust God, even if help seems slow.

v. 25: Jesus promises, “From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear Him” . Christ will finish all He promised to do. He will lead His people in worship and keep every promise made to God’s people.

v. 26: The humble will be blessed: “The meek shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever!” . All who trust in Jesus will find spiritual blessings, satisfaction, and eternal life. Those who pray will be filled with joy and praise.

v. 27: People from all over the world will turn to God: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before you” . Because of Jesus, the church will reach every nation and people.

v. 28: “For kingship belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations” . God is King of the whole world. Both His power in creation and His grace in Jesus show that everyone should worship Him.

v. 29: Both the rich and the poor will worship Jesus: “All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive” . No matter their status, everyone needs Jesus. Even those near death can find hope in Him.

v. 30: “A seed shall serve Him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation” . There will always be a group of people who follow Jesus and worship God. Generation after generation, the story of Jesus will be shared.

v. 31: “They shall come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn, that He has done it” (Psalm 22:31 ^q). In the future, new people will hear about what God has done through Jesus. They will know that salvation comes from Him alone (Romans 1:16-17; Psalm 118:23 ^r).

This passage invites us to celebrate Jesus’ victory, praise God for His church, and be confident that people everywhere and in every age will come to know and worship Him.