For 40 days Jesus “was with the wild animals” (Mk 1:13, BSB), yet they left no mark on Him. Man, however…
Psalms 20 and 21 formed a couplet, but Psalms 22-24 are a triplet! Psalm 22 presents the good Shepherd who “gives His life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). Psalm 23 portrays “that great Shepherd of the sheep” (Heb 13:20) who, in resurrection life, cares for us even through the Valley of the Shadow and brings us safely home. Psalm 24 completes the trilogy, proclaiming the day “when the Chief Shepherd appears” (1 Pet 5:4), bringing His reward with Him. In turn, they are represented by the Savior’s cross, the Shepherd’s crook, and the Sovereign’s crown. The title of Psalm 22, Aijeleth Hashahar, is translated, “The Hind of the Morning” or “The Deer of the Dawn.” I recall visiting a kibbutz by that name in northern Israel. Over its entry was a picture of a hind (the female red deer) leaping over the sunrise. Naphtali, the region where much of our Lord’s ministry was performed, is called “a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words” (Gen 49:21, KJV), expressing the liberating power and beauty of the gospel. We have already met it in Psalm 18:33, “He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places” (KJV), linking liberty, stability, and agility. But see the other animals mentioned. “Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me…like a raging and roaring lion” (Ps 22:12-13). Oh the shame! The ceremonially clean religious leaders sounding like the roaring lion. Also Roman “dogs have surrounded Me” (v 16). In addition, He cries, “Deliver Me…from the horns of the wild oxen!” (vv 20-21), linked with Jacob, picturing the people themselves (Num 24:8). They were all there, surrounding the defenseless deer. Jew and Gentile. Priest and people. Men and devils. Thus the cry, “O Lord,…hasten to help Me!” (Ps 22:19).