“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)
Sisters, this song sung by God’s people praises God for the vindication of the innocent sufferer. When Jesus was hanging upon the cross in A.D. 30 or 33, He quoted the first line of this hymn (Ps 22) before died. And this is significant, because God the Son was speaking words He wanted to be heard. God’s words are intentional, and they faithfully come to pass (Mt 24:35; Lk 21:32)!
Given that Jesus chose this Psalm, we should read it in its entirety. And remember that the Jewish people listening to Jesus most likely had memorized the whole song, recognizing that it doesn’t end with anguish!
For example: If you were to start singing, “Happy…” 🎶
After just one word, most folks here in the United States would recognize, immediately, that you are singing “Happy Birthday,”…and could finish the rest for you.
The same is true for the Jewish people of the first century, who had memorized the songs of the Psalter. When Jesus recited the first line, those listen would recognize the psalm and could sing the rest. Yes, there is anguish and suffering in this psalm…but it ends with vindication and celebration!
Written approximately 1000 years before his crucifixion and bodily resurrection, these words provide abundant encouragement that our God faithfully keeps His word.
The ESV Study Bible says:
“The song closes with confidence that when God answers the prayer, the singer will be vindicated and will again be able to join with God’s people in worship. The song helps readers to see the outcome of this personal trial in its relation to the whole of God’s people: the vindicated singer looks forward to telling forth God’s praise among the assembled congregation (vv. 22, 25), and thus all the offspring of Israel will take encouragement and join in giving thanks (vv. 23-24, 26). Indeed, the praising company will extend to the whole world (v. 27, all the families of the nations, echoing Gen. 12:3; 22:18; etc.); that is, the singer’s personal story of trouble and vindication is part of the larger story of God’s redemptive work in the world.”
“Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
that he has done it.” (Ps 22:30-31)
Hold Fast Apologetics 