Psa 22 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 22:1-31: Ps 22 All previous laments pale in comparison with this outcry against the enemy and God’s abandonment. The psalm contains two main sections: the lament (22:1-21 ) and praise for redemption (22:22-31 ), which leads naturally to Ps 23 . The apostles saw in this psalm an expression of the sufferings of Jesus Christ, who ultimately fulfilled the purpose of David’s humiliation, rejection by people, and divine abandonment (Matt 27:35 , 39 , 43 , 46 ; Mark 15:34 ; John 19:23-24 , 28 ; Heb 2:12 ). Summary for Ps 22:1-21: 22:1-21 The psalmist alternates between reflections on his present dire circumstances and memories of the Lord’s past faithfulness; he ends with a prayer for rescue. Summary for Ps 22:1-2: 22:1-2 A deep sense of alienation from God overwhelms the psalmist (see 10:1 ).

Summary for Ps 22:1-31: Ps 22 ^a All previous laments pale in comparison with this outcry against the enemy and God’s abandonment. The psalm contains two main sections: the lament (22:1-21 ^b) and praise for redemption (22:22-31 ^c), which leads naturally to Ps 23 ^d. The apostles saw in this psalm an expression of the sufferings of Jesus Christ, who ultimately fulfilled the purpose of David’s humiliation, rejection by people, and divine abandonment (Matt 27:35 ^e, 39 ^f, 43 ^g, 46 ^h; Mark 15:34 ⁱ; John 19:23-24 ^j, 28 ^k; Heb 2:12 ^l).
Summary for Ps 22:1-21: 22:1-21 ^m The psalmist alternates between reflections on his present dire circumstances and memories of the Lord’s past faithfulness; he ends with a prayer for rescue.
Summary for Ps 22:1-2: 22:1-2 ⁿ A deep sense of alienation from God overwhelms the psalmist (see 10:1 ^o).
22:3 ^p God, the holy King, is set apart from all his creation, but he chooses to reveal himself to Israel.

• God greatly desires that his people offer praises to him.
Summary for Ps 22:6-8: 22:6-8 ^q Both the Lord and people reject the psalmist. He vividly describes his anguish (22:1-2 ^r); he lives like a lowly animal.
22:7 ^s Everyone mocks the psalmist’s confidence in the Lord (see 3:2 ^t; Matt 27:43 ^u), which shames him (Pss 44:13-14 ^v; 74:10 ^w; 89:50 ^x; 109:25 ^y).
Summary for Ps 22:9-11: 22:9-11 ^z The psalmist reflects on his past relationship with God (see 22:3-5 ^aa). The Lord has been his very life. 22:9 ^ab The Lord took care of the psalmist before he could do anything for himself (see 71:6 ^ac; 139:13 ^ad).
Summary for Ps 22:12-18: 22:12-18 ^ae The psalmist returns to expressing his anguish and suffering (see 22:1-2 ^af, 6-8 ^ag). His trouble comes from human beings who act like beasts. 22:12 ^ah Bashan, a region known for its herds and vegetation, produced strong bulls (68:30 ^ai).
22:14 ^aj The psalmist’s sense of being poured out like water expresses a meaningless, transitory existence that leaves him depleted.
22:15 ^ak Facing adversity is as horrible as dying of thirst (see 137:6 ^al).

• Jesus may have had this verse in mind when he said, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28 ^am).
22:16 ^an The wild pack of dogs represents fierce and unscrupulous people.
Summary for Ps 22:17-18: 22:17-18 ^ao I can count all my bones: The psalmist’s enemies have utterly shamed him by taking his garments. Jesus also suffered this disgrace (see Matt 27:35 ^ap).

• stare at me and gloat: Enemies make the psalmist the object of their scorn (see Pss 35:24 ^aq, 26 ^ar; 38:16 ^as; 55:3 ^at; cp. 59:10 ^au).

• throw dice: Literally cast lots. The casting of lots was sometimes a way for godly people to find God’s direction (Lev 16:8 ^av; Num 27:21 ^aw; Acts 1:24-26 ^ax). Here, the lots are thrown simply as a game of chance. The soldiers threw dice for Jesus’ clothing after the crucifixion (Matt 27:35 ^ay; Mark 15:24 ^az; Luke 23:34 ^ba; John 19:24 ^bb).
Summary for Ps 22:19-21: 22:19-21 ^bc The psalmist faces his troubles by praying for God’s rescue. Only the Lord has the strength to ward off dogs, lions, and oxen.
22:20 ^bd The sword makes evident the lethal intent of the enemy.
Summary for Ps 22:22-24: 22:22-24 ^be The psalmist praises the Lord and calls for the godly to join him. He tells of God’s goodness to the needy, including himself. 22:22 ^bf I will proclaim your name: The writer to the Hebrews ascribes these words to Jesus (Heb 2:12 ^bg).

• my brothers and sisters: Literally my brothers. In the New Testament quotation, the Greek translation picks up the broader meaning as “my brothers and sisters.”
22:23 ^bh The godly respond with awe (see 22:25 ^bi).
22:24 ^bj Unlike his response to the wicked (see 21:8-12 ^bk), God cares about the needy and hears their prayers (51:17 ^bl; 69:33 ^bm; 102:17 ^bn).
Summary for Ps 22:25-31: 22:25-31 ^bo The psalmist vows to praise the Lord, the great King of the earth (22:27-28 ^bp) who cares for the needy. God alone deserves praise. 22:25 ^bq The great assembly might include all nations (22:27 ^br; 26:12 ^bs; 35:18 ^bt).
22:26 ^bu God knows his people’s needs and addresses them (63:5 ^bv; 81:16 ^bw; 103:5 ^bx; 107:9 ^by; 132:15 ^bz; 145:16 ^ca; 147:14 ^cb).
22:27 ^cc families of the nations: All clans and tribes of humanity (see Gen 12:3 ^cd; Rev 5:9-10 ^ce) will live in submission to the Lord (Ps 96:1-3 ^cf; see Pss 2 ^cg, 72 ^ch; Isa 2:2-4 ^ci; 1 Cor 15:25-27 ^cj).
22:28 ^ck The universal kingdom belongs to God alone (Obad 1:21 ^cl).
22:29 ^cm The Lord invites all people, rich and poor (22:26 ^cn), to the banquet as long as they worship him.
22:30 ^co Future generations will join those from the past who praised the Lord (22:3-5 ^cp). The descendants of the godly will receive blessings (22:30-31 ^cq), unlike the offspring of the wicked (21:10 ^cr).
22:31 ^cs The Lord’s acts of redemption (40:9 ^ct; 50:6 ^cu; 71:15 ^cv, 16 ^cw, 24 ^cx; 97:6 ^cy) demonstrate that he is righteous (see 4:1 ^cz). His righteousness provides the character required for rule, judicial decisions, and relationships. This virtue leads to harmony and order (see 50:6 ^da).