Psalm 22: Prophecy or Not?

By Larry Billinger

In the vast ocean of biblical literature, Psalm 22 stands out as a lighthouse of prophecy, pain, and promise. At first glance, it’s a cry of anguish from David, but upon closer inspection, it reveals uncanny parallels to the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Let’s dive into the depths of this Psalm, exploring its roots in Jewish tradition, its Christian interpretation, and why I find the connections to Jesus’ crucifixion too striking to be mere coincidence.

A Tale of Two Interpretations

For our Jewish friends, Psalm 22 is a profound outpouring of David’s sorrow and a testament to his unwavering faith in God. Written during a time of immense personal distress, it reflects the universal human experience of feeling abandoned and seeking divine intervention. Jewish scholars view it as a personal lament that also encapsulates the collective suffering of the Jewish people, not necessarily as a direct prophecy about the Messiah.

Contrastingly, in Christian theology, this Psalm morphs into a prophetic story, foretelling the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Each verse, once echoing David’s despair, now resonates with the suffering of Christ, painting a vivid picture of the Messiah’s agony and the events surrounding His death.

Delving into the Verses

1. The Cry of Abandonment: Jesus’ utterance of Psalm 22:1 on the cross bridges the gap between David’s suffering and His own. This moment of profound despair, echoed in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, highlights the depth of Jesus’ human experience and fulfillment of prophetic scripture.
2. Mockery and Insults: The taunts David describes in verses 7-8 eerily parallel the mockery Jesus faced, as recorded in Matthew and Mark. This mocking, a bitter ingredient of suffering, emphasizes the messianic prophecy’s accuracy.
3. Physical Torment: David’s poetic description of his physical state in verse 15 mirrors Jesus’ physical distress on the cross, particularly His thirst, as noted in John 19:28. This correlation underlines the physical reality of the crucifixion and its prophesied nature.
4. Pierced Hands and Feet: Perhaps no verse strikes as vivid a chord as Psalm 22:16. The specific mention of piercing, absent in most other crucifixion accounts, directly corresponds to the nailing of Jesus’ limbs—a detail that seals the psalm’s prophetic reputation.
5. Dividing Garments: The casting of lots for clothing, a seemingly minor detail, is specifically fulfilled in the crucifixion narrative (John 19:23-24), highlighting the meticulous accuracy of biblical prophecy.
6. Proclamation Amidst Pain: Verse 22 transcends the immediate agony to prophesy Jesus’ mission to declare God’s name, intertwining suffering with the promise of redemption and revelation.
7. Divine Presence in Suffering: Finally, verse 24 rounds out the Psalm with the assurance that God does not abandon the afflicted. This reflects the Christian belief in Jesus’ ultimate vindication and resurrection, affirming God’s unfailing presence even in the darkest times.

A Personal Reflection

Reflecting on Psalm 22, the parallels between David’s lament and the crucifixion of Jesus are, to me, beyond coincidental. Jesus’ quoting of this Psalm before His death signifies more than just a moment of despair; it represents the fulfillment of a divine prophecy, linking the Old Testament’s cries of anguish with the New Testament’s message of salvation.

The mirroring of events, from mockery to the specifics of physical suffering, forms a bridge across centuries, pointing to a narrative woven with the thread of divine purpose. As a believer, I see these connections as a powerful testament to the prophecy’s fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The echoes of Psalm 22 in the events of the New Testament serve as a profound reminder of God’s presence, promise, and plan through the ages.