Psalm 22 (1-21)

The Suffering and Cry for Deliverance

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Intro

This Bible study explores the themes of suffering, abandonment, and the cry for deliverance found in Psalm 22. It draws parallels to the experience of Jesus Christ on the cross, highlighting the depth of his suffering and the ultimate triumph over it. The New Covenant perspective invites us to find solace and hope in the midst of our own struggles, knowing that Jesus has experienced our pain and is present with us in our darkest moments.

Section 1: The Cry of Suffering and Abandonment (vs 1-5)

"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer, by night, and I have no rest. Yet You are enthroned as the Holy One; You are the praise of Israel. In You our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them. To You they cried out and were saved; in You they trusted and were not disappointed."

Talking Points:

1. The opening cry of suffering and abandonment, expressing deep anguish and longing for God's deliverance.

2. The feeling of God being distant and unresponsive to the psalmist's pleas.

3. The affirmation of God's holiness and the remembrance of past deliverances experienced by the ancestors.

Harmony: Matthew 27:46 "About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?'"

Questions:

1. How does the cry of suffering and abandonment in this psalm relate to the experience of Jesus on the cross?

2. In what ways do you resonate with the psalmist's plea for help in the midst of deep anguish?

3. How can we find solace and trust in God, even when it feels like He is distant and unresponsive to our cries?

Section 2: Trusting in God's Faithfulness (vs 6-11)

"But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: 'He relies on the LORD; let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since he delights in Him.' Yet You brought me out of the womb; You made me secure at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon You; from my mother's womb You have been my God."

Talking Points:

1. The psalmist's description of being scorned, mocked, and despised by others.

2. The mocking and taunting directed towards the psalmist, questioning his trust in the LORD.

3. The psalmist's declaration of God's faithfulness from the time of his birth, acknowledging God as his God from the womb.

Harmony: Matthew 27:39-43 "Those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!' In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him. 'He saved others,' they said, 'but He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.'"

Questions:

1. How do the psalmist's words resonate with the mocking and scorn that Jesus experienced on the cross?

2. How can we find encouragement and strength in God's faithfulness, even in the face of ridicule and rejection?

3. What does it mean for you to acknowledge God's presence and faithfulness from your earliest days?

Section 3: A Cry for Deliverance (vs 12-21)

"Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. They open their jaws against me like a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. But You, O LORD, be not far off; O You my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen, You have answered me!"

Talking Points:

1. The vivid description of enemies surrounding the psalmist, likened to strong bulls, lions, and villains.

2. The physical and emotional agony experienced, with imagery of being poured out, bones disjointed, and strength dried up.

3. The desperate plea for deliverance, salvation, and protection from the violent attacks.

Harmony: John 19:23-24 "When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took His garments and divided them into four parts, with a part for each soldier, and the tunic remaining was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.' This was to fulfill the Scripture: 'They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.'"

Questions:

1. How do the psalmist's words foreshadow the sufferings and crucifixion of Jesus Christ?

2. How can we find hope and comfort in the psalmist's cry for deliverance and salvation, even in our own struggles and hardships?

3. What does it mean for you to cry out to God for deliverance and trust in His response, knowing that He has answered the pleas of the afflicted?

Summary

Psalm 22, viewed through a New Covenant, Christ-focused perspective, is a prophetic lament that points directly to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The opening cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" is uttered by Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:46), expressing His intense suffering as He bore the weight of humanity's sin.

The psalmist's graphic description of his physical torment, including piercing of hands and feet, and the casting lots for his clothes, prophesies the specific details of Christ's crucifixion (John 19:23-24, John 20:25). However, this psalm also anticipates Christ's victory over death. 

The deliverance of the suffering servant and his subsequent declaration of God's name to his brethren, mirrors the resurrection of Jesus and the spreading of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).

The vision of all the ends of the world turning to the Lord foreshadows the universal impact of Christ's sacrifice, while the promise that future generations will be told about the Lord signifies the everlasting influence of Christ's redemptive work. Thus, Psalm 22 is a powerful prophetic passage that foreshadows the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.