Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: June 22, 2008
PROPHECIES OF THE DEATH OF JESUS (Part 3)
Ben Justice
THE MESSIANIC PSALM — PSALM 22
One writer noted that the greatest single block of predictive matter concerning the Savior
to be found anywhere in the Old Testament is the book of Psalms (Walter C. Kaiser, Jr.,
see ref. in last week’s article, Pg. 92). In particular, Psalm 22 has been called “The
Psalm of the Cross” (Charles H. Spurgeon, “The Treasury of David — Vol. 1, Psalms 1-
57,” Pg. 324). This Psalm can be divided into two major divisions:
1.) Verses 1-21 describe the gloom of suffering.
2.) Verses 22-31 describe the triumph over death and suffering.
Who is the sufferer in this Psalm? Is David the only person in view? It is true that much
of what is said in this Psalm would fit David; he suffered a lot. The language, however,
that is used in this psalm exceeds way beyond anything that appeared in David’s life.
Verse 16 speaks of his hands and feet being pierced. Verse 19 speaks of his garments
being divided among his enemies. The language used in many of these verses point to
someone else besides David. Let’s briefly look at these passages.
Verses 1-2 reveal the Sufferer’s anguish. In verse 1, there are actually three questions:
1.) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
2.) Why art thou so far from helping me?
3.) Why art thou so far from the words of my roaring?
One of the saddest of all utterances of Jesus was when he was on the cross and cried, “My
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46).
The second and third questions imply that it seemed God was so far away.
Verses 3-5 reveal the Sufferer’s trust in the faithful God (his Father). In verse 3, he
declared that God is holy. The Sufferer recalled God’s faithfulness in the past. The word
“trusted” is used 3 times in two verses. During the time when Israel suffered much, they
trusted in God, and he was faithful and delivered them again and again.
Verses 6-8 is a return to the suffering, and it details for us the different types of suffering
the Sufferer would experience. There are four things he said in verse 6:
1.) I am a worm
2.) I am no man
3.) I am a reproach of men
4.) I am despised of the people
It needs to be understood that this is NOT the way the Sufferer regarded himself, but the
way others regarded him.
The insults and mocking in verse 6 turn into action in verse 7. When Jesus was hanging
on the cross, “they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads” (Matt. 27:39).
Verse 8 reveals what they said as they laughed, mocked, and shook their head. Matt. 27:
41-43 says, “Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, (42)
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from
the cross, and we will believe him. (43) He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will
have him; for he said, I am the Son of God.”
Verses 9-11 once again depict the Sufferer as finding reassurance in God. God has
brought him through his birth. God has protected him during his early years. God has
always been with him. The Sufferer knows that God will be with him during this time of
suffering.
Verses 12-18 describe the most intense sufferings that he would experience. Notice the
intense imagery of these verses. Bulls have circled around him (v. 12). His enemies stood
around him with their mouths gaped open like a ravening and roaring lion (v. 13). In verse
14, he described his helpless body. He is poured out like water. This certainly may speak
of Jesus’ sheer exhaustion. His bones are out of joint. This happened when Jesus’ body
hung on the cross. His heart is broken, like wax that is melted. He has no strength. He
is thirsty. Jesus cried out on the cross, “I thirst” (John 19:28). He is very near death at
this point. Verse 16 once again speaks of what his enemies did. This passage very
pointedly places Jesus at the cross. They “pierced my hands and my feet.” Matthew 27:35
says they crucified Jesus. His bones stick out (v. 17). They look and stare at him. Luke
23:35 says “the people stood beholding.” He watches helplessly as they gamble for his
garments (see Matt. 27:35; John 19:23-24).
Verses 19-21 are a call to God for deliverance. Notice the urgency to help him in verse 19
— “hast thee to help me.” The phrase “my darling” literally means “my only one.” He is
not referring to a literal lion in verse 21 but to his enemies.
Verses 22-31 reveal that the mood suddenly changes. In the first 21 verses suffering is
described, and in verses 22-31, the test has been passed and the victory won. Verse 22 is
quoted in Heb. 2:12. He will now declare the Father’s name unto his brethren. In the
midst of the congregation he will praise his Father.
The word “fear” in verse 23 means “respect” and “reverence.” Do we reverence the Lord? If
so, praise him. Almighty God delivered Jesus, and he praises his heavenly Father for
doing that, and he admonishes us to do the same. We are to glorify him.
The church is the spiritual seed of Israel. Verse 24 gives the reason (the word “for” is
used). Why does he praise God, and why are we called upon to praise and to glorify God?
The answer is because “he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither
hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard” (see Heb. 5:7-9).
Verses 27-31 speak of the fact that people will be attracted to this Sufferer; they will turn
to the Lord; people will worship God because of what has taken place.
Notice in verse 30 that “a seed shall serve him.” This refers to Christians — the church.
The seed (v. 31) will declare his righteousness. It will be concerning all that has taken
place and what God has done. The phrase “he hath done this” means “it is finished.”
Jesus, on the cross, said, “It is finish” (John 19:30).
[will continue next week]
FOUR SIMPLE QUESTIONS FOR RESOLVING CHURCH PROBLEMS
1.) What is the problem?
2.) What are its causes?
3.) What are the possible answers?
4.) Which is the best solution?