My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

Psalm 22 has been a favorite among Christians for many years, the reason being because of its wonderful messianic thrust. It contains so many powerful thoughts regarding the Savior, and His death on our behalf, that the Christian cannot but be stirred by it. The psalm logically divides into five segments. Consider these enriching treasures of truth.

Christ’s Rejection by God (v.1-5)

1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?

Why are You so far from helping Me,

And from the words of My groaning?

2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;

And in the night season, and am not silent.

3 But You are holy,

Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

4 Our fathers trusted in You;

They trusted, and You delivered them.

5 They cried to You, and were delivered;

They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

It may seem curious to say that Jesus was rejected by God, but, in a certain sense, that is very true. The song begins with the words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — an echo from the cross, of course (Mt. 27:46). The Lord Jesus was “forsaken” by the Father in the sense that God allowed him to drink the full measure of suffering and death (without intervening — see Mt. 26:53) because of His great love for humanity (Jn. 3:16). Divine “justice” was thus satisfied (Isa. 53:11; Rom. 3:25-26), and mercy was extended to Adam’s sinful family (Eph. 2:4). What a magnificent plan!

Christ’s Rejection by Man (v.6-13)

6 But I am a worm, and no man;

A reproach of men, and despised by the people.

7 All those who see Me ridicule Me;

They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

8 “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him;

Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb;

You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.

10 I was cast upon You from birth.

From My mother’s womb

You have been My God.

11 Be not far from Me,

For trouble is near;

For there is none to help.

12 Many bulls have surrounded Me;

Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.

13 They gape at Me with their mouths,

Like a raging and roaring lion.

At the hands of cruel men, the Son of God was treated as a “worm.” He was despised, ridiculed, and abused. Nevermind. Jesus’ trust was focused in His Father — a confidence instilled in him by his mother from the days she tenderly cradled Him on her breasts. What a tribute to the sweet maiden from Nazareth.

Christ’s Ordeal at Calvary (v.14-18)

14 I am poured out like water,

And all My bones are out of joint;

My heart is like wax;

It has melted within Me.

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,

And My tongue clings to My jaws;

You have brought Me to the dust of death.

16 For dogs have surrounded Me;

The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.

They pierced My hands and My feet;

17 I can count all My bones.

They look and stare at Me.

18 They divide My garments among them,

And for My clothing they cast lots.

The cruelty of the crucifixion is poignantly depicted — bones out of joint, parched tongue, pierced hands and feet. The physical pain and emotional turmoil are incalculable. And all the while hardened soldiers -unmoved by the drama - gambled for his garments. Such insensitivity finds a modern counterpart in many a man today.

Christ’s Prayer for Deliverance (v.19-21)

19 But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me;

O My Strength, hasten to help Me!

20 Deliver Me from the sword,

My precious life from the power of the dog.

21 Save Me from the lion’s mouth

And from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered Me.

In the hour of darkness, hope could be found only in God. “Stay close to me, Lord … save me from the beasts that would devour me,” is his pleading sentiment. In times of dire need, to whom else can we turn? Happily, however, in this time of danger, the Lord exclaims: “You answered me!” Compare with this the thought expressed in Hebrews 5:7; in the trying ordeal of Gethsemane, He was “heard on account of his godly fear.”

Christ’s Thanksgiving for Victory (v.22-31)

22 I will declare Your name to My brethren;

In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him!

All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,

And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!

24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;

Nor has He hidden His face from Him;

But when He cried to Him, He heard.

25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly;

I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.

26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;

Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.

Let your heart live forever!

27 All the ends of the world

Shall remember and turn to the Lord,

And all the families of the nations

Shall worship before You.

28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s,

And He rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth

Shall eat and worship;

All those who go down to the dust

Shall bow before Him,

Even he who cannot keep himself alive.

30 A posterity shall serve Him.

It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,

31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born,

That He has done this.

The Savior breaks forth in an anthem of praise in the midst of God’s people. Jehovah is to be extolled. He did not abandon the son of Mary; rather, He “heard” the cries of His suffering child. There is the implication here of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead by the hand of God Almighty. No wonder, then, at the praise that issues from the Lord’s grateful lips.

Finally, what should be the effect of these amazing events? Grateful people from the “ends of the earth” are invited to “turn unto Jehovah,” to come and “worship” before Him — honoring Him who is ruler of the nations and whose plan will not be thwarted.

Lesson by Wayne Jackson,

Christian Courier