“What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!”
King David had commissioned a group of priestly musicians “who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals” (1 Chron 25:1). Is it any surprise, then, that the poetry of the Psalms is filled with prophecy? Clearly the details in Psalm 22 were not David’s experience. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev 19:10), and our Lord by the Spirit inspired David to describe what He experienced as He anticipated the cross a thousand years before it occurred. See some of the obvious connections between this psalm and the details of the crucifixion. Of course, the Lord quoted verse 1 as He hung on the cross (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34). Notice that the first, middle, and last statements of His seven cries are prayers. The first and last are addressed to the Father; the middle is spoken to “My God.” The Father and Son were in perfect union at all times; it was as Judge that God turned away. Then the taunts of His foes (Ps 22:7-8) are recorded (Mt 27:29-34; Lk 23:35-39). His extreme thirst is noted (Ps 22:15 with Jn 19:28). The depiction of the agony of the impalement (Ps 22:16-17) is clearly stated, as is the rending of, and gambling for, His clothes (v 18 with Jn 19:24; Mt 27:35, etc). And the poignant statement to God, “You have brought Me to the dust of death” (Ps 22:15), points to the Son’s obedience to the Father. As He said to His disciples as He headed to Calvary, “that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do” (Jn 14:31). Yes, in obedience, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Php 2:8). This is the strangest, sweetest, surest love story in history!and we’re the objects of that amazing love!