Psalm 22 is a struggle, a struggle of the psalmist with his enemies, with himself, with his faith, and with his God. But the psalmist keeps going forward, and I think part of it is shaped by reminding himself of the truth he believes.
We enter now into the depths of the psalmist’s experience. As always we are using John Goldingay [Psalms 1
].
].We are concerned with how he uses the word “abandoned” (v. 1) for his experience of God’s not answering his prayer request. His words are in vv. 11-18. He asks God to remain near (v. 11) because of his experience of abandonment in the midst of his enemies’ seeking to destroy him.
They are like bulls and lions (12-13).
His experience is one of dissolution (14-15).
He blames God: “you lay me in the dust of death” (15c).
His enemies are like dogs surrounding him (16).
They are wrongdoers and like a lion (16b)
They are sizing me up (17).
They are dividing his garments like booty (18).
So now, like Jonah in the whale, he pleads with God to save him from the dog, lion and bulls (19-21).
The psalmist promises he will speak praise of God to his kindred and in the midst of Israel (22). Goldingay doesn’t think God has answered this prayer so that the abandonment is ultimately presence.
Psa. 22:0 To the leader: according to The Deer of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;
and by night, but find no rest.
Psa. 22:3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried, and were saved;
in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.
Psa. 22:6 But I am a worm, and not human;
scorned by others, and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock at me;
they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;
8 “Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver–
let him rescue the one in whom he delights!”
Psa. 22:9 Yet it was you who took me from the womb;
you kept me safe on my mother’s breast.
10 On you I was cast from my birth,
and since my mother bore me you have been my God.
11 Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
Psa. 22:12 Many bulls encircle me,
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
Psa. 22:14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Psa. 22:16 For dogs are all around me;
a company of evildoers encircles me.
My hands and feet have shriveled;
17 I can count all my bones.
They stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
Psa. 22:19 But you, O LORD, do not be far away!
O my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
my life from the power of the dog!
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
From the horns of the wild oxen you have rescued me.
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him;
stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he did not despise or abhor
the affliction of the afflicted;
he did not hide his face from me,
but heard when I cried to him.
Psa. 22:25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will pay before those who fear him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD.
May your hearts live fo
rever!
rever!
Psa. 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the LORD;
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before him.
28 For dominion belongs to the LORD,
and he rules over the nations.
Psa. 22:29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
and I shall live for him.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord,
31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
saying that he has done it.
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