Psalms 22

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

An Amazing Messianic Psalm

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Lord experienced the requirements of substitution.

  2. The Lord experienced the sufferings of crucifixion.

  3. The Lord experienced the blessings of resurrection.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Are you in Psalm 22?

QUESTIONS

  1. Why did the Lord seem so far away from David in his situation?

  2. Why did the Lord Jesus cry out on the cross, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me”?

  3. Why did the Father forsake His Son on the cross?

  4. What is amazing about Psalm 22’s prophecy concerning the sufferings of Christ?

  5. What is the perspective of the end of verse 21 through the end of the psalm?

ANSWERS

  1. God ordained that David would go through these experiences because the greater David, the Lord Jesus Christ, would go through the experiences of the cross. David’s writings in Psalm 22 are a typical-Messianic psalm, although some sections are purely-prophetic.

  2. Because Christ was really going through the experience of being forsaken by His heavenly Father. This was not just a quotation; it was truly His experience.

  3. God is holy and He must judge sin (verse 3). He had to forsake His only Son when the Lord Jesus became our substitute on the cross.

  4. Psalm 22 was certainly written well before the time of Christ, as proven by its inclusion in the Dead Sea Scrolls. And yet verses 14-18 describe crucifixion – a Roman way of execution unknown in Old Testament days. Stoning was the Hebrew way of crucifixion under the Law.

  5. This is written from the perspective of the resurrected Messiah. The Lord is no longer forsaken by the Father. His cry was heard and answered.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss the Lord’s role as your substitute for sin. See 2 Corinthians 5:21 and 1 Peter 2:24. Have you ever willingly taken the punishment that someone else deserved? Although Christ was perfect and never sinned, He took on our sin for us.

  2. Revisit the sufferings of the Lord during His crucifixion. Think about Christ’s attitude toward you that prompted such a sacrifice.

CHALLENGE

  1. Read Psalm 22:30-31. Are you in these verses? Are you serving the Lord and sharing about His righteousness and finished work?

KEY VERSES

  • "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Psalms 22:1

  • "They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots." Psalms 22:16-18

  • "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You." Psalms 22:22



Old Testament, Psalms, TalksDeb HarmsPsalm 22