Psalm 22 (22-31)
The Triumph and Praise of the Messiah
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Intro
This Bible study explores the themes of triumph and praise found in Psalm 22:22-31. It highlights the proclamation of God's name, the call to praise, and the recognition of God's reign over all nations. The New Covenant perspective invites us to join in the proclamation of God's name and to anticipate the fulfillment of this psalm in Jesus Christ, who is worshipped by people from every nation. It encourages us to share the story of God's righteousness and His redemptive work with future generations.
Section 1: Proclaiming God's Name and Praise (vs 22-26)
"I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; in the assembly I will praise You. You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All descendants of Jacob, honor Him! Revere Him, all offspring of Israel! For He has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from him, but has listened to his cry for help. From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear You, I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise Him—may your hearts live forever!"
Talking Points:
The psalmist's proclamation to his brothers and the assembly to praise God's name.
The call for all who fear the LORD to honor and revere Him.
The recognition of God's attentiveness to the cry for help and His response to the suffering of the afflicted one.
Harmony: Hebrews 2:12 "He says: 'I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing Your praises in the assembly.'"
Questions:
How does the psalmist's proclamation and call to praise resonate with your own desire to proclaim God's name and worship Him?
In what ways can we honor and revere God in our daily lives?
How does the assurance of God's attentiveness to our cries for help impact your faith and worship?
Section 2: The Universal Impact of God's Reign (vs 27-31)
"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him. For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him—even those unable to preserve their lives. Their descendants will serve Him; the next generation will be told of the Lord. They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn— all that He has done."
Talking Points:
The universal impact of God's reign, with all the ends of the earth and families of the nations turning to Him.
The acknowledgment of God's dominion and rule over the nations.
The future generations proclaiming God's righteousness and all that He has done.
Harmony: Philippians 2:10-11 "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Questions:
How does the vision of all the ends of the earth turning to the LORD inspire your own faith and hope?
In what ways can we proclaim God's righteousness and share the story of what He has done with future generations?
How does the passage in Philippians 2:10-11 align with the universal impact and worship described in this psalm?
Summary
Psalm 22:22-31, seen through a New Covenant, Christ-focused perspective, provides a prophetic glimpse into the victorious proclamation of Christ's redemptive work and its impact on all generations and nations.
The psalmist's vow to declare God's name to his brothers and to praise Him in the congregation foreshadows Jesus' post-resurrection mandate to His disciples to spread the Gospel, making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).
The prophecy that "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you" anticipates the universal impact of Christ's salvation (Philippians 2:10-11).
The passage also foretells the eternal nature of Christ's kingdom, stating that future generations will be told about the Lord, and they will proclaim His righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn that "He has done it" — an echo of Jesus' triumphant words on the cross: "It is finished" (John 19:30).
Psalm 22:22-31 prophetically describes the victorious proclamation and universal, eternal impact of Christ's redemptive work.