In Psalm 22, David is writing his woes out as a plea for mercy from God. In many different ways, David is suffering for his faith in the Lord. He is mocked and made low, and even compares himself to a worm (v6).
As the psalm goes on, David paints a vivid picture of metaphors about how hopeless his situation is, and how much he truly needs God to save him from his despair, and how he knows he can trust in the Lord, and that his people should follow this example.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” - Psalm 22:1
David begins by expressing his deep sorrow to God, and goes so far to ask God why he has seemingly abandoned him and ignored his cries. However, even though David is at his lowest, and believes God is far from him, he still praises His name.
“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”
- Psalm 22: 3-5
We can learn a lot from what David says and does in this Psalm. He prays to God about his suffering and desires God to draw near to himself, albeit while questioning God’s intentions. And even after explaining his suffering, he recognizes the truth of who God is: He is holy, and worthy of all praise, whether we are celebrating or mourning.
That is a key aspect in our worship of God. We must worship him in our days of suffering, and in our days triumph alike. We must remember Him. It is far too easy to exalt ourselves in our high-points, and cast blame on God for our low-points. What David is pointing out for us, is that it is all God, or none of it is. God tells us as much through the prophet Isaiah, and the Apostle Paul:
“...fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31
Near the end of the psalm, David is crying out for a saviour. He is asking God to save his soul from destruction. What we know as Christians, is that by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, our very souls have been saved. God is so great, that no one can take us from His hands. No mocking words or physical destruction can ever tear us away from Him.
Prayer
God, you are great. You are generous and kind, and your yoke is easy. Open our hearts, minds and souls to the truth of who you are. Let our love for you guide us. You are worthy of all praise, adoration, and glory. Please remind us to eat our daily bread and to live in and through you. Praise God! Amen
Psalm 22
In Psalm 22, David is writing his woes out as a plea for mercy from God. In many different ways, David is suffering for his faith in the Lord. He is mocked and made low, and even compares himself to a worm (v6).
As the psalm goes on, David paints a vivid picture of metaphors about how hopeless his situation is, and how much he truly needs God to save him from his despair, and how he knows he can trust in the Lord, and that his people should follow this example.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” - Psalm 22:1
David begins by expressing his deep sorrow to God, and goes so far to ask God why he has seemingly abandoned him and ignored his cries. However, even though David is at his lowest, and believes God is far from him, he still praises His name.
“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”
- Psalm 22: 3-5
We can learn a lot from what David says and does in this Psalm. He prays to God about his suffering and desires God to draw near to himself, albeit while questioning God’s intentions. And even after explaining his suffering, he recognizes the truth of who God is: He is holy, and worthy of all praise, whether we are celebrating or mourning.
That is a key aspect in our worship of God. We must worship him in our days of suffering, and in our days triumph alike. We must remember Him. It is far too easy to exalt ourselves in our high-points, and cast blame on God for our low-points. What David is pointing out for us, is that it is all God, or none of it is. God tells us as much through the prophet Isaiah, and the Apostle Paul:
“...fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31
Near the end of the psalm, David is crying out for a saviour. He is asking God to save his soul from destruction. What we know as Christians, is that by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, our very souls have been saved. God is so great, that no one can take us from His hands. No mocking words or physical destruction can ever tear us away from Him.
Prayer
God, you are great. You are generous and kind, and your yoke is easy. Open our hearts, minds and souls to the truth of who you are. Let our love for you guide us. You are worthy of all praise, adoration, and glory. Please remind us to eat our daily bread and to live in and through you. Praise God! Amen
Hayden Cowie