My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Psalm 22:1
Psalm 22 was written by King David. So I thought it was about David himself. But according to the commentary written by L Richards, this is a messianic psalm that focuses on the sufferings of Christ (1-18).
… I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads… I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the dust of death.
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.
Then, the exaltation follows (19-31).
But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs…
I will declare your name to my people.
You who fear the Lord, praise him! … For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. … The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him…
All who go down to the dust will kneel before him — those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!
The Messiah, his name is Immanuel (With us is God). God came for those who are going down to the dust, those who cannot keep ourselves alive. He walked the darkest valley before us so that we may sing like David in Psalm 23.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters…
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
He suffered walking through the darkest valley so that I may rest and joyfully run around in green pastures. I’m safe forever with him. Armed with this knowledge, I’ll go out to play. I’ll run back to him often to make sure he’s still with me. That’s all I need to know.
