The Fullfillment of a Special Psalm
(Psalm 22)

More than a cry of despair

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

These are some of the last words of Yeshua (Jesus) that He cried out in a loud voice while hanging on the cross. When one reads these words, they seem like a cry of despair. But they are much deeper than that.Yes, the “forsaken” cry indicates a low point, even the deepest low point ever. It opens a window into the unimaginable intense suffering Yeshua is enduring. Not only is He experiencing excruciating physical pain, but He also is engulfed in supernatural darkness. That darkness is a sign of the wrath of God over the sins of the world. Yeshua was bearing the judgment due to His people.

At the same time, there is still more going on. The words Yeshua cries out in this deepest darkness are actually the first words of Psalm 22. The words of this Psalm are not only words fitting for the occasion. These words unlock a future of the greatest hope.

Following the script of Psalm 22?

The words of Yeshua’s cry are not the only connection between His crucifixion and this Psalm.Right after Yeshua was crucified, the Roman soldiers divided His clothes and gambled over Yeshua’s tunic. The Roman soldiers weren’t familiar with the Psalm; yet, unwittingly, they did exactly what it states:

“They divided my garments among them and for my clothing they casts lots”
(Psalm 22:18, Matthew 27:35, John 19:23-24).

What about the hostile taunts of the priests and scribes? Are they aware their insults mirror the words in Psalm 22?
“He trusts in God, let God deliver him now, if he desires him.” (Matthew 27:43)
Matthew 27:43 is quoted almost verbatim from Psalm 22:8.

And what about the agony described in the Psalm? Why does it match the experience of a victim brutalized by crucifixion so well? The one suffering in Psalm 22 seems to be on public display. It even seems to say that his hands and feet are “dug through” by those who have encircled him like strong bulls and attacked him like a ravening lion. 

Here is the text of Psalm 22:12-17:

Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me,like a ravening and roaring lion.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced [1] my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones
they stare and gloat over me 

Psalms with a Messianic 3-D effect

Psalm 22 is not the lament of a random individual. Psalm 22 is part of a collection in which each has the label “a Psalm of David” (Psalms 3-41). They are arranged purposefully. 

Who was David? David, son of Jesse, was God’s anointed, to whom God had promised that his dynasty would last forever. This collection of Psalms of David is prefaced by Psalm 2, which shows in what way this all would culminate. That Psalm speaks about the ultimate anointed one, the Messiah, who will receive the ends of the earth as his possession. This gives these Psalms of David a “messianic 3-D effect.” The help and rescue God gave to David are a prophetic promise for the future.Psalm 18 describes it this way:

Great salvation He (the LORD) brings to His king, and shows steadfast love to His anointed, to David and his offspring forever (Psalm 18:50). Here is another important piece of information: as have the preceding Psalms, Psalm 22 has the additional label “For the choirmaster.” When we read about David’s choirmasters in 1 Chronicles 25:1-8, we see they were people who “prophesied under direction of the king” (1 Chronicles 25:2).And let’s consider this: Psalm 22 is intimately connected with Psalms 20 and 21. Psalm 20 assures us God will answer His anointed king in the day of trouble. More than that, He will also grant him his heart’s desire and request. 

Psalm 21 describes in glowing terms what that entails. The LORD will grant His king eternal life! He will crown him with splendor and majesty, make him a source of blessing, and vanquish his enemies. The glory of the king is depicted in extremely bright colors.The Targum on the Psalms understood its prophetic character and identified this King as “the King Messiah.” Let’s consider what it means that Psalm 22 is placed in this context.

The cry of the Davidic king

Psalm 22 immediately follows the glory just described. The picture has drastically shifted. Now, the LORD’s anointed is calling out to God on a day of extremely deep trouble! 

In the same way that the glory described in Psalm 21 goes beyond what can be applied to David, so  also the intense suffering described in Psalm 22 surpasses what we see in David’s life. If Psalm 21 is a Psalm about the Messiah, then what about Psalm 22?

When Yeshua hung upon the cross, the Romans placed a sign above His head: “Yeshua of Nazareth, the king of the Jews.” 

Was it only the stubbornness of the Roman governor that prompted him to insist on the use of these words? The Jewish leaders asked him to change the wording (John 19:20-21). 

Or did God’s providence behind the scenes make sure the truth was told? 

Yeshua is David’s offspring. As David’s rightful heir and Israel’s promised Messiah, Yeshua knew He was the one fully entitled to use the words of Psalm 22. Yeshua uttered the cry of the LORD’s anointed in the day of trouble and so fulfilled the Psalm. 

The LORD answered this cry! Great was His salvation indeed! Just as was also prophesied about the Messiah in the book of Isaiah, “In the day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people” (Isaiah 49:8) Because Psalm 22 is not only about suffering….

A sudden reversal

The jarring cry for help of the one who is laid in the dust of death suddenly changes. In an unexpected reversal, this Psalm springs to life! Suddenly we hear words of praise as amazing things are described. It all hinges on one Hebrew word (עֲנִיתָֽנִי): “You have answered me!” (Psalm 22:21 NKJV).

Not only did the first part of the Psalm play out in Yeshua’s death, but the second part also became a reality. Yeshua rose from the grave on the third day.

The first victorious statement of the one who suffered and tasted death is, “I will tell of your name to my brothers” (Psalm 22:22).

The first words of Yeshua in His first appearance on the day of His resurrection were spoken to the women who visited His grave: “Do not be afraid, go tell my brothers to go to Galilee and there they will see me” (Mathew 28:10). Yeshua both dies and rises with Psalm 22 on His mind!

After His resurrection, when Yeshua appeared to His disciples in the Galilee He told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Yeshua’s cry “My God, My God why have you forsaken me” was answered in His resurrection. God had not abandoned Yeshua’s soul to Sheol (Psalm 16:10). Moreover, God’s vindication of His suffering Servant sparked a worldwide movement that continues till today. 

Yes, just as Psalm 22 states: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you” (Psalm 22:27; compare Psalm 2:8).

Wonderfully for us today, the end of Psalm 22 holds the promise of eternal life for the humble, for those who seek God because of this rescue of His anointed One! “May your hearts live forever!” (Psalm 22:26). 

The messianic banquet

“May your hearts live forever!” That’s not an empty wish! The Psalm ends with the promise of a festive banquet. Even those who go down to the dust in death will participate in this feast and worship God (Psalm 22:29). 

Psalm 22 ends with the promise of the banquet which Isaiah also prophesied. It is a great feast because death is swallowed up forever (Isaiah 25:8-9).

As we consider the latter portion of Psalm 22, and especially its ending, is there any question of the messianic nature of this Psalm? 

Can we read this Psalm as only an event in David’s life – or is the Psalm prophetic, to be fulfilled by David’s messianic offspring? 

Who fits the bill of the Psalm? Only David? Or, David’s greater son? And could that be Yeshua of Nazareth?

What do YOU think? We would love to talk with you about this. Don’t hesitate to chat. 

Our hope is that we can participate together in the great turnaround of Psalm 22 and enjoy together the ultimate messianic banquet it ensures.

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