Psalms 22

— Aijeleth Shahar.] Or, kind of the morning. The morning-hind was probably a well-known song, which gave name to a particular tune, if not instrument; not unlikely of the melancholy kind, as possibly it might describe a poor hind pursued by hunters. Mudge. Ver. 1. My God, my God, &c.] Christ, the beloved Son of the Father, when hanging on the cross, complained in these words, that He was deprived, for a time, of the Divine presence and comforting influence while He suffered for our sins. If the Master thus underwent the trial of a spiritual desertion, why doth the disciple think it strange, unless the light of Heaven shine continually upon his tabernacle? Bp. Horne. — the words of my roaring? He means the words of his complaint. Bp. Patrick.

— unicorns.] The animal here meant is probably the rhinoceros. It has one horn upon its nose, which is very strong, and grows to a considerable length. Green. See the note on Numb. xxiii. 22.

Psalms 22:3

3. — inhabitest the praises of Israel.] That is, dwellest in the tabernacle, where the praises and thanksgivings of Israel are offered to Thee for mercies granted them. Edwards, Bp. Horne.

Psalms 22:7

7. All they &c.] From this verse to the twentieth, the words are prophecies of Christ, and literally fulfilled in Him. See Matt. xxvii. 39. Dimock.

Psalms 22:9

9. Thou shalt make them &c.] The meaning is, they shall as certainly perish, as if they were cast into a fiery oven; the Lord, who is justly incensed against them, shall utterly consume them with a sharp and unavoidable destruction. Bp. Patrick.

Psalms 22:10

10. Their fruit] That is, their offspring. Green.

Psalms 22:12

12. — shalt thou make them turn their back.] Or, as in the margin, Thou shalt make them a mark to shoot at. Green. — thine arrows] The judgments of God are called his “arrows,” being sharp, swift, sure, and deadly. Bp. Horne. From this, as from the preceding Psalm, we learn that God defends just and pious kings who call upon Him and trust in Him; whereas He throws down and destroys unrighteous princes, and especially such as oppose the establishment of his kingdom, and the designs of his providence. Osterwald. Psalm XXII. This Psalm contains a most full and clear prophecy of our blessed Saviour’s passion, and the propagation of his Gospel. It is entitled a Psalm of David; and I doubt not but that the greatest part of it related primarily to David himself. It contains a most pathetick and poetical description of his own sufferings and calamities; but expressed in such figures as were most literally fulfilled in the sufferings of Christ. Archdeacon Randolph. It is very properly appointed to be used on Good Friday, as it contains a wonderful prophecy of our Saviour’s

13. Many bulls &c.] Mine enemies, who are as furious and formidable as the bulls fed in the rich pastures of Bashan, beset me on every side. Green. See note at Numb. xxxii. 1.

Psalms 22:14

14. I am poured out like water.] He means that his flesh has no consistency, or is loose as water. Green. He prayeth in great distress. He praiseth God. d Matt. 37. 35. Mark 15. 24. Luke 23. 33. John 19. 23, 37. e Luke 23. 34. John 19. 23, 24. only one. the hand. [Heb. 2. 12.

Psalms 22:15

15. My strength is dried up &c.] In other words, I am quite exhausted and dried up, like a piece of a broken pot: so extreme is my thirst, that I am scarce able to utter my complaints; but am just upon the point of expiring and returning to the dust of the earth. How exactly was this prophecy verified in the person of our blessed Lord, when He sweat as it were great drops of blood, and endured all the agonies of the cross: Travel.

— my tongue cleaveth to my jaws;] Parching thirst, here expressed by the Psalmist, is one of the usual concomitants of extreme grief of mind, or torture of body. Dr. Hales.

Psalms 22:16

16. For dogs have compassed me: &c.] A multitude of malicious people have beset me fiercely as dogs, and got me into their power in order to wound and destroy me. Dr. Hammond. Thus these words may be figuratively applied to David; but they were literally fulfilled in the Saviour of the world, whose feet and hands his enemies pierced through with nails on the cross. Green.

Psalms 22:17

17. I may tell all my bones: &c.] The skin and flesh were distended by the posture of the body on the cross, that the bones, as through a thin veil, became visible, and might be counted; and the holy Jesus, forsaken and stript, naked and bleeding, was a spectacle to heaven and earth. Bp. Horne.

Psalms 22:18

18. They part my garments &c.] This was so far true of David, that his enemies spoiled his goods, and rifled his substance. But it is particularly remarkable, that at our Saviour’s crucifixion the soldiers divided his garments among them, and his coat being without seam, they would not rend it, but casts lots for it; and thus, as the Evangelists themselves tell us, this Scripture was fulfilled. Such exact agreement in these minute circumstances could not occur casually; and it carries with it a striking proof of the interposition of God, and a strong confirmation of the truth of the Gospel. Archdeacon Randolph.

Psalms 22:21

21. Save me from the lion’s mouth: &c.] The faith him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

Psalms 22:25

25. — I will pay my vows] That is, offer the sacrifice which I vowed. Mudge.

Psalms 22:26

26. The meek shall eat &c.] Of this sacrifice the humble or afflicted, he says, should eat, and praise God for the mercy He had shewn to his servant. The latter part of the verse is addressed to them; “your heart shall live for ever:” take courage and fear not, God will never desert them that fear Him. Mudge.

Psalms 22:29

29. All they that be fat &c.] It is here foretold that the “fat ones of the earth,” the great, the opulent, the flourishing, the nobles and princes of the world, should be called in to partake of the feast, and join in the Christian worship and service. Rich, as well as poor, are invited; and the hour is coming when all the race of Adam, as many as sleep in the “dust” of the earth, unable to raise themselves from thence, quickened and called forth by the voice of the Son of Man, must bow the knee to the King Messiah. Bp. Horne, Archdeacon Randolph.

29—31. — and none can keep alive &c.] The Greek version and some other ancient versions probably give the true reading of these clauses: “My soul shall live, and my posterity shall serve God. My seed shall be reckoned to the Lord in the generation which shall come. And they shall declare his righteousness to a people which shall be born; for He, the Lord, hath done it.” The words thus read and translated are a plain prophecy of the propagation of the Gospel, and calling of the Gentiles. Abp. Secker, Archdeacon Randolph.