Day 4: Psalm 22
Read Psalm 22
Helpful Background Information:
Psalm 22 opens with words that may sound familiar: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus cried these very words from the cross (Matthew 27:46). Though David wrote it from a place of deep personal pain, his words point beyond his own experience. This psalm is a prophecy of Jesus’ crucifixion, written almost a thousand years before it happened. It describes in detail what Jesus went through on the cross; His hands and feet being pierced, people mocking Him, and even the soldiers casting lots for His clothes. David may not have fully understood how far-reaching his words were, but they show how God was preparing His people for the suffering of the Messiah long before it happened.
However, Psalm 22 doesn’t end in darkness. About halfway through, everything changes. The one who was forsaken is now filled with praise, declaring God’s goodness and deliverance to everyone. It’s a reminder that the cross wasn’t the end. Jesus’ suffering leads to victory, and His death brings life. Through this psalm, we see that even in the darkest moment, God was at work.
Reflection Questions:
The psalm says, “They pierced my hands and my feet” and “they cast lots for my clothing.” Why is it important that these details were written long before Jesus’ death? What does it tell you about God’s plan?
Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus entering Jerusalem as King, but just days later, He was crucified. Why do you think the crowds turned on Him so quickly?
Thought Experiment: Zechariah 9 shows a King who brings peace, riding on a donkey in triumph. Psalm 22 shows a suffering servant who feels forsaken and crushed. At first glance, these images seem to clash. Put yourself in the shoes of the people of Israel before the coming of Christ. How could both of these pictures be true of the Messiah?
When life is difficult, it’s easy to feel as though God is distant. What practical steps can you take from this Psalm to remind yourself that He hasn’t truly left