The Doe of the Dawn

The Doe of the Dawn

Psalm 22

Main Idea: The Lord blesses His people though their king suffers.

I. The Problem of Unwarranted Suffering (22:1-21a)

David writes Psalm 22 from the vantage point of an unwarranted sufferer. He is the anointed king of Israel enduring gross injustices at the hands and with the approval of the anointed king of Israel. It is a level of injustice that rightly confuses and outrages us at the same time.

He seems to draw his inspiration for this psalm from a shepherding experience. The imagery he uses to visualize the way unwarranted suffering tormented him parallels the plight of a prey animal under attack.

Our problem with unwarranted suffering manifests in at least two domains. It affects us philosophically and psychologically:

  • Philosophically, it drives us to ask why is this happening at all? Something in our makeup screams that this is not how the world should work.

  • Psychologically, it drives us to ask why is this happening to me? When predators are nipping at our heels, it's hard to think of anything else but what is this happening to me!?!

II. The Paradox of Unmerited Blessing (22:21b-31)

The scenario David has just played out may be everyday life on the African savannah with gazelles and lions or in Palestinian pastures among sheep and wolves, but for humans, it is just not supposed to be that way. When this kind of unwarranted suffering comes on and without intervention, we simply don’t have categories for it. It demands an explanation!

It is worth noting that David gives absolutely no detail on how he was delivered. Much less why this whole ordeal happened at all. 

Explanations don’t provide what we need most. Outcomes trump explanations when it comes to unwarranted suffering.

The only consolation in the context of unwarranted suffering is the reality of unmerited blessing because “Kingship belongs to the LORD, and He rules over the nations.” (Ps. 22:28) 

III. A Prophecy of Ultimate Redemption (Matthew 27:45-50)

Matt. 27:45-50: Now from the sixth hour[f] there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

  • Matt. 27:35 - when they had crucified him - thus piercing Jesus’ hand and feet. (Ps.22:16)

  • Matt. 27:35 - they divided his garments among them by casting lots!! (Ps. 22:18)

  • Matt. 27:39 - those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads, as did the villains He was crucified with (26:44) (Ps. 22:7, 13, 17)

  • Matt. 27:41-43 - the chief priests, scribes and elders mocked him saying, “He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him.” (Ps. 22:8)

  • John 19:38 - Jesus thirsted, his tongue stuck to his jaw (Ps. 22:18)

  • Matt. 27:50 - After three hours hanging on the cross watching His life drip slowly away, Jesus “cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit.” (Ps. 22:14-15)

The main point of Psalm 22 before Jesus: The LORD blesses His people though their king suffers.
The main point of Psalm 22 after Jesus: The LORD blesses His people through their King’s suffering.

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