Psalm 22 – Testimony to the Christ

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow (1 Peter 1:11).

“We should read reverently putting off our shoes from off our feet as Moses did at the burning bush, for if there be holy ground anywhere in Scripture it is in this psalm (C. H. Spurgeon).

There are several psalms referred to as “Messianic Psalms.” Some of these have also been called “Passion Psalms” while others are referred to as “Royal Psalms.” Psalm 22 is indeed a Messianic Psalm with an emphasis on His passion, referring to His death on Calvary’s cross.

One of the difficulties of the psalm is determining how it is related to Jesus Christ. It definitely does describe the suffering and persecution of the suffering servant of Isaiah 52:13 – 53:1-12. Some want to make it:

1. Personal – Related to experiences David faced.
2. National – Related to experiences Israel faced when exiled among the heathen.
3. Human Family – related to all who suffer as righteous.
4. Prophetic – related to the person of Jesus Christ Himself.

My observations:

1. It was in the ninth hour, that Jesus Christ cried with a loud voice – Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? Psalm 22:1 begins with these very words that Jesus spoke from Calvary’s Cross – My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Even if they might have reflected some experience of King David, they were fully fulfilled in the Messiah, David’s son.
2. As Jesus hung on Calvary’s cross, his enemies mocked and ridiculed Him. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God (Luke 23:35). But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head (Psalm 22:7, 8).
3. They pierced My hands and My feet (Psalm 22:16). Crucifixion was not a method of death or punishment when this psalm was written down. After His resurrection, Jesus said to His disciples, Behold My hands and My feet (Luke 24:39) as the scars from the piercing remained on His body. To Thomas, Jesus said, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands… (John 20:27).
4. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture (Psalm 22:18). And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots (Matthew 27:35).
5. Some of the physical aspects of crucifixion are clearly described in Psalm 22:15. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
6. The bones out of joint in Psalm 22:14, 17 was the normal experience of one being nailed to a cross.

No man ever suffered as did our Lord and Savior on Calvary’s cross. There was the desertion of the Father as God dealt with our Savior as He deals with sinful mankind. There was the cruelty of man in verses 6 through 19. There was the pain of the crucifixion as well as the pain of taking upon Himself all our sins. There was the hatred of Satan expressed by the people. On our behalf, Jesus surrendered Himself to total helplessness.

Some have outlined the psalm as follows:

1. The Sob (1-21) and the Song (22 -31).
2. The Sufferings (1-21) and the Glory that followed (22-31), based on I Peter 1:11. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
3. The Agony (1-21) and the Ecstasy (22-31).
4. The cry of anguish (1-21) and the song of praise (22-31).
5. From gloom (1-21) to glory (22-31).
6. The cross (1-21) and the crown (22-31).

You cannot read the accounts of Calvary in the four gospels and not recognize that Psalm 22 so pictures and is prophetic of what took place when Jesus sacrificed His life on our behalf.

I found two different outlines on the psalm without author identification.

Jesus Christ is seen in this psalm as:

1. The Reproached One – v. 6.
2. The Rejected One – v. 7.
3. The Requesting One – v. 19.
4. The Risen One – v. 22.
5. The Rejoicing One – v. 22b.
6. The Ruling One – v. 28.
7. The Righteous One – v. 31.

Another way of outlining the psalm:

1. The Desertion (v. 1).
2. The Darkness (v. 2).
3. The Derision (v. 7).
4. The Deliverance (v. 22).
5. The Declaration (v. 22).
6. The Dominion (vs. 27, 28).
7. The Dependence (vs. 29-31).

Reading the psalm and comparing it to the New Testament accounts is incredible proof of the inspiration of the Scriptures, written roughly 1,000 years before it was accomplished.

Next time, we will note some of the other events related to Calvary and the Person of Jesus Christ in some of the other psalms. For today, thank the Lord for what He accomplished on Calvary’s Cross on your behalf. Second: Praise Him for so many prophetic events and statements in the Old Testament that verify His Holy Word in detail.

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George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission.