Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Psalm 22

Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Psalms 22; 23; and 24 form a trilogy.

• In Psalm 22 the good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep (Jhn 10:11);
• in Psalm 23 the great Shepherd, "brought again from the dead throughthe blood of the everlasting covenant" (Heb 13:20), tenderly cares for the sheep;
• in Psalm 24 the chief Shepherd appears as King of glory to own and reward the sheep (1Pe 5:4).

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Mat 27:46; Mar 15:34.

Sacrifice (prophetic). Psa 22:1-18; Isa 52:14. (Gen 3:15; Heb 10:18.)

Christ (First Advent). Psa 22:1-18; Isa 7:13, 14. (Gen 3:15; Acts 1:9.)

Psa 22:4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

trusted

Scofield Psalms 2:12, note.

Psa 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

despised

Psa 22:7, 8, 11-13; Psa 109:25; Mat 27:39-44..

Psa 22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

Psalm 22 is a graphic picture of death by crucifixion.

• The bones (of the hands, arms, shoulders, and pelvis) out of joint (Psa 22:14);
• the profuse perspiration caused by intense suffering (Psa 22:14);
• the action of the heart affected (Psa 22:14);
• strength exhausted, and extreme thirst (Psa 22:15);
• the hands and feet pierced (Psa 22:16);
• partial nudity with the hurt to modesty (Psa 22:17), are all incidental to that mode of death. The accompanying circumstances are precisely those fulfilled in the crucifixion of Christ. The desolate cry of Psa 22:1 (Mat 27:46);
• the periods of light and darkness of Psa 22:2 (Mat 27:45);
• the contumely [insulting language or treatment] of Psa 22:6-8, 12-13 (Mat 27:39-43);
• the casting lots of Psa 22:18 (Mat 27:35), all were literally fulfilled.

When it is remembered that crucifixion was a Roman, not Jewish, form of execution, the proof of inspiration is irresistible.

Psa 22:8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

He trusted on the LORD

Mat 27:43.

Psa 22:9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

he that took me out of the womb

Psa 71:6.

didst make me hope

Or, keptest me in safety.

Psa 22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

Many bulls have compassed me

Psa 68:30; Deu 32:14; Eze 39:18; Amo 4:1.

Psa 22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.

They gaped upon me

Job 16:10.

Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

dogs have compassed me

Rev 22:15.

they pierced my hands and my feet

Isa 53:7.

Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

cast lots upon my vesture

Mat 27:35; Mar 15:24; Luk 23:34; Jhn 19:23, 24.

Psa 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

I will declare thy name

At verse 22 the Psalm breaks from crucifixion to resurrection; fulfilled in the "Go to my brethren," etc., of John 20:17. The risen Christ declares to His brethren the name, "Father."

unto my brethren

Heb 2:12.

Psa 22:23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

fear [See also Psa 22:25.]

Scofield Psalms 19:9, note.

Psa 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

the kingdom is the LORD'S

Cf. Psa 22:30. The kingdom is Jehovah's. In Psa 22:30 Adonai is in view as ruling on behalf of Jehovah. See Psa 110, with Mat 22:42-45. The great end and object of the rule of Adonai (Lord) is the restoration of the kingdom to Jehovah (LORD). See 1Co 15:23, 24. See "Names of Deity," Scofield Gen 2:4, note; Gen 15:2, note.