Psa 22:1-21 | 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.