Psalm 22

vs 1

This psalm is so messianic it's scary. Even cynics would have to agree that Jesus would have had to read this psalm and decide that he could match it up to crucifixion. And who would choose to do that knowingly?

Anyway, we start with the very words of Christ - of course, it's not like David looked into a crystal ball and stole them from Jesus as he was dying. No, the opposite - Jesus knew full well that he was quoting Psalm 22 at that moment, and not because God was forsaking him, but because the whole psalm was being fulfilled.

Am I saying that God did not forsake Christ? Of course it's not as simple as that. But in quoting this psalm, Jesus was bringing it to the mind of those who heard him. Considering the shock and tingles I get reading the psalm (written probably more than 1000 years before Jesus' death), imagine what it would have been like for them, who knew the psalm off by heart, and were seeing it played out before them. It's electrifying.

vs 2

Everyone has been in this position - David obviously had, and he was a man of God. But how many people call out to God in their times of trouble? And how many of them feel that God says nothing back? We shouldn't be shocked that the Bible acknowledges this. The Bible is not just about "the truth" (in this case, that God is there and does listen), but it's also about our perceptions as humanity (that we can't feel or see God in our times of distress). Then it does the great job of mixing those two so we can see the reality beside our perception.

vs 3

This is David's comfort - he can't feel or see God, but he knows who God is, and that is enough for him. He knows God is looking out for him.

vs 4

David has the historical faithfulness of God to rely on too. Israel trusted God, and God didn't forsake them. Why would he change now?

vs 5

Pretty much the same idea - repeated for emphasis and probably poetic niceness.

vs 6

Poor David, scorned by everyone, even though he was meant to be king.

But imagine Jesus, God himself coming to earth only to be scorned and seen as a worm by some.

vs 7

This was not the whole life experience of Jesus, nor David. But at this moment for them, it is. Jesus is copping insults from centurions, priests, pharisees, and common people - even other criminals. David is probably copping it from the same or similar quarters. I'm not sure when people date this psalm - whether it's pre-king, mid-adultery, or mid-Absolom, but whatever it is, it's a bad time for David. He had his fair share of hate poured on him.

vs 8

We know people said this to Jesus, but I can't imagine who said this to David. It's almost blasphemous to say it, isn't it? Especially when you know the one whom it's aimed at is actually faithful to God.

The attitude of this scorn makes me think it's coming more from an enemy than from people who think David did bad with Bathsheeba, so that for me narrows it down a little.

vs 9

David looks back on his own life, seeing that God has not yet forsaken him - even from when he was a little baby in the womb.

vs 10

Here he acknowledges that he has needed God from the very beginning - and of course he needs God now - so nothing has changed really.

Reading this verse with Jesus in mind is just awesome. I mean, Jesus is God, so the idea of Jesus needing God is in one sense fallacious. But to think of Jesus being born and being thrown onto God for survival, just like the rest of us - but knowing that God is his father, and that as much as he latched on to Mary's breast for milk, he could latch onto God as Abba.

Well, I think that's awesome.