Reflections from the Psalms

"I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you;"

~ Psalm 22:22

This psalm is traditionally known as one of the Messianic Psalms.  The Messianic psalms are those that are more directly prophetic concerning Jesus the Messiah.  There is much to be found in this psalm fulfilled in Jesus in his crucifixion (v.1a,6-8,14-18).  It would appear that Psalm 22 was on the heart and mind of our Savior as he hung on the cursed tree.  In a cry to the Father, he recited the opening phrase of this psalm “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (v.1a).  But for him, this was not just a ‘felt experience’ like it was for David and how it is for us.  This was actually his reality. 

Because he took the sin of the world onto himself and bore the fullness of the wrath of God against sin, he truly was forsaken by God.  Jesus, the only one underserving, is the only one who has ever been truly forsaken by God.  And why?...so that we are never forsaken despite fully deserving to be. 

For those of us who known this truth in salvation, let us tell of his name to our brothers and praise him in the midst of the congregation (v.22).  Let us praise him because despite our ‘felt experiences’.  God is yet holy (v.3a)…he delivers when trusted upon (v.4)…he hears and rescues when cried to (v.5a,24b)…he does not put to shame when trusted (v.5b)…he has been our God since in the womb (v.10)…he delivers our soul (v.20a)…he does not hide his face from the afflicted (v.24)…he satisfies those who seek him (v.26)…he is the King and Ruler of all the nations (v.28).