Psalms 22

Chapter Summary

Psalms 22 begins with a cry of desperation and abandonment, as the psalmist feels forsaken by God. Despite this, the psalmist affirms God's faithfulness and remembers His past deliverances. The chapter then shifts to a description of the psalmist's suffering, including physical pain, emotional distress, and social ridicule. However, the psalmist's tone changes as he looks forward to God's deliverance and the redemption of His people. The chapter concludes with a declaration of God's power and a call to worship, as the psalmist expresses his confidence in God's ultimate victory. Key verses include Psalms 22:1, Psalms 22:9-10, and Psalms 22:27-28, which highlight the psalmist's feelings of abandonment, his trust in God, and his expectation of God's deliverance.

Context for the Chapter

Psalms 22 is part of the biblical book of Psalms, which is a collection of poetic songs and prayers that express the depths of human emotion and the heights of divine revelation. The chapter is a messianic psalm, which means that it foretells the coming of Jesus Christ and His suffering and redemption. The chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which tells the story of God's creation, humanity's sin, and God's redemption through Jesus Christ. Psalms 22 is a deeply rooted chapter in the biblical narrative, with connections to other chapters such as Psalms 16 and Psalms 23, which also express themes of trust and redemption.

Heart Application

This chapter reminds us that even in the darkest moments of our lives, God is still with us and is working to redeem us. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and to look forward to His deliverance, even when we feel abandoned or forsaken. As we reflect on the psalmist's emotions and experiences, we can apply the lessons of this chapter to our own lives, trusting in God's power and redemption, and looking forward to His ultimate victory.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Psalms 22 is a chapter about suffering and redemption. The psalmist feels abandoned by God, but he still trusts in God's power and looks forward to His deliverance. This chapter reminds us that even in the darkest moments of our lives, God is still with us and is working to redeem us. As we reflect on Psalms 22:1 and Psalms 22:27-28, we can see the depth of the psalmist's emotions and the reality of his trust in God.

Voices from the Church

“This psalm is a very remarkable one, and it is a great pity that it is not more frequently read and expounded. It is a psalm of great depth and richness, and it contains some of the most remarkable prophecies of our Lord Jesus Christ that are to be found in the whole of the Old Testament.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The psalmist's cry of abandonment is a cry that is echoed by all who are truly faithful to God. It is a cry that expresses the depth of our suffering and the reality of our sin, but it is also a cry that expresses our trust in God's sovereignty and our confidence in His redemption.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. The psalmist's cry of abandonment (Psalms 22:1-2) — The psalmist feels forsaken by God and cries out to Him, expressing his deepest feelings of desperation and isolation.
2. The psalmist's affirmation of God's faithfulness (Psalms 22:3-5) — Despite his feelings of abandonment, the psalmist affirms God's faithfulness and remembers His past deliverances, highlighting the psalmist's trust in God's sovereignty.
3. The psalmist's description of his suffering (Psalms 22:6-8) — The psalmist describes his physical, emotional, and social pain, as he experiences the depths of human suffering and the reality of his sin.
4. The psalmist's declaration of God's power (Psalms 22:9-10) — The psalmist declares God's power and redemption, despite his feelings of abandonment, highlighting the psalmist's trust in God's sovereignty and his confidence in God's ultimate victory.
5. The psalmist's conclusion and call to worship (Psalms 22:27-31) — The psalmist concludes by expressing his confidence in God's power and redemption, and calls all nations to worship and praise God, highlighting the universal scope of God's salvation and the reality of His ultimate victory.

Core Doctrines

The doctrine of God's sovereignty

This chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all things, including our suffering and redemption. As the psalmist trusts in God's sovereignty, we can also trust in His power and redemption, knowing that He is working all things together for our good.

The doctrine of Christ's substitutionary atonement

This chapter foretells the suffering and redemption of Jesus Christ, who substitutes Himself for us and bears the penalty of our sin. As we reflect on the psalmist's cry of abandonment and his declaration of God's power, we can see the depth of Christ's sacrifice and the reality of His redemption.

The doctrine of redemption

This chapter teaches that God redeems us from our sin and suffering, and that He is working to bring about our ultimate victory. As the psalmist looks forward to God's deliverance, we can also trust in God's power and redemption, knowing that He is working to bring about our ultimate good.

The doctrine of worship

This chapter calls all nations to worship and praise God, highlighting the universal scope of God's salvation and the reality of His ultimate victory. As we reflect on the psalmist's conclusion and call to worship, we can see the importance of worship and praise in our lives, and the reality of God's power and redemption.

Lessons from Psalms 22

1. Trust in God's sovereignty — This chapter teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when we feel abandoned or forsaken. As we reflect on the psalmist's cry of abandonment and his declaration of God's power, we can see the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and looking forward to His deliverance.
2. Look forward to God's deliverance — This chapter encourages us to look forward to God's deliverance and redemption, even in the darkest moments of our lives. As the psalmist expresses his confidence in God's power and redemption, we can also trust in God's power and look forward to His ultimate victory.
3. Worship and praise God — This chapter calls us to worship and praise God, highlighting the universal scope of God's salvation and the reality of His ultimate victory. As we reflect on the psalmist's conclusion and call to worship, we can see the importance of worship and praise in our lives, and the reality of God's power and redemption.
4. Balance feelings with faith — This chapter teaches us to balance our feelings of suffering and abandonment with our trust in God's sovereignty and redemption. As the psalmist expresses his emotions and his trust in God, we can see the importance of expressing our emotions and trusting in God's power and redemption.
5. Apply the lessons to our lives — This chapter encourages us to apply its lessons to our own lives, trusting in God's power and redemption, and looking forward to His ultimate victory. As we reflect on the psalmist's cry of abandonment and his declaration of God's power, we can see the importance of applying the lessons of this chapter to our own lives, and trusting in God's sovereignty and redemption.

Themes from Psalms 22

1. Suffering and redemption — This chapter explores the theme of suffering and redemption, as the psalmist experiences the depths of human suffering and the reality of God's redemption. As we reflect on the psalmist's cry of abandonment and his declaration of God's power, we can see the depth of his suffering and the reality of God's redemption.
2. Trust and faith — This chapter emphasizes the importance of trust and faith, as the psalmist trusts in God's sovereignty and looks forward to His deliverance. As we reflect on the psalmist's emotions and his trust in God, we can see the importance of trusting in God's power and redemption, and looking forward to His ultimate victory.
3. Worship and praise — This chapter calls us to worship and praise God, highlighting the universal scope of God's salvation and the reality of His ultimate victory. As we reflect on the psalmist's conclusion and call to worship, we can see the importance of worship and praise in our lives, and the reality of God's power and redemption.
4. God's sovereignty — This chapter teaches us about God's sovereignty, as the psalmist trusts in God's power and redemption, and looks forward to His ultimate victory. As we reflect on the psalmist's cry of abandonment and his declaration of God's power, we can see the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and looking forward to His deliverance.
5. The messianic hope — This chapter foretells the coming of Jesus Christ and His suffering and redemption, highlighting the depth of His sacrifice and the reality of His redemption. As we reflect on the psalmist's cry of abandonment and his declaration of God's power, we can see the importance of the messianic hope and the reality of God's redemption.

Questions for Meditation

1. How do you respond to feelings of abandonment and desperation, and what can you learn from the psalmist's cry of abandonment in Psalms 22:1-2?
2. What are some ways that you can trust in God's sovereignty and look forward to His deliverance, even in the darkest moments of your life?
3. How can you apply the lessons of this chapter to your own life, and what are some ways that you can express your trust in God's power and redemption?
4. What are some ways that you can worship and praise God, and how can you call others to do the same, as expressed in Psalms 22:27-31?
5. How can you balance your feelings of suffering and abandonment with your trust in God's sovereignty and redemption, and what are some ways that you can express your confidence in God's ultimate victory?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Psalms 22

	Sermon	Description
	(1 Peter - Part 16): christ...foreordained, Manifest by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker expresses a deep sense of urgency and awareness of the approaching judgment of God. He emphasizes that the earth is growing old and that a mere blink of
	(Biographies) Charles Spurgeon by John Piper	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of perseverance in preaching, even in the face of adversity and criticism. He encourages preachers to have a long-term perspec
	(Biographies) Adoniram Judson by John Piper	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of guarding the deposit of the gospel with fences. He warns against the consequences of not protecting the truth of the gospel
	The Holiness of God - Part 1 by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the holiness of God and the need for reverence and sanctification in His presence. He refers to the story of Moses encountering God at the b
	The Cost of Declaring His Glory by Helen Roseveare	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of facing persecution and suffering for their faith. They describe a brutal attack on their home by cruel men during a rebe
	(Hebrews - Part 14): High Priest of the Eternal Son by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his experience of preaching about Jesus Christ and how it moved the audience. He emphasizes that preaching about Jesus is always impactful
	Why I Choose to Believe the Bible by Voddie Baucham	In this sermon, Vody Bakum emphasizes the importance of being ready to defend the hope within us. He highlights the reliability of the Bible as a collection of historical documents
	God's Neibourhood by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of setting our minds, hearts, and affections on eternal things where God dwells. They highlight the contrast between the value
	The Red Heifer by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the speaker discusses five things that happen when a child of God sins. The first is that fellowship with God is broken. The speaker emphasizes the importance of ma
	He Drank Your Hell by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding and preaching the Gospel. He highlights Romans chapter 3 as one of the greatest passages on the Gospel ever

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 22

Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 22 emphasizes the chapter's messianic themes and its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Henry notes that the psalmist's cry of abandonment is echoed by Jesus Christ on the cross, and that the psalmist's declaration of God's power is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Henry also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and looking forward to His ultimate victory, even in the darkest moments of our lives. As expressed in Psalms 22:1-2, the psalmist feels abandoned by God, but he still trusts in God's power and looks forward to His deliverance. Henry's commentary provides a powerful and insightful exploration of the chapter's themes and significance, highlighting the depth of the psalmist's emotions and the reality of God's power and redemption. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?