Year 8, Day 172: Psalms 21-22

Theological Commentary: Click Here

For those who worship in a liturgical style, Psalm 22 is very familiar on one particular day.  It is the psalm of Maundy Thursday.  It is the psalm of the stripping of the altar.  It is the psalm that puts up the framework of Jesus’ death.

That being said, remember that while the psalms can have a prophetic voice they are originally written in a context and for a context.  Psalm 22 is a psalm that David wrote when his enemies surrounded him.  It was a psalm from when he was at an ultimate low in his life.  It is a psalm when David most greatly felt the scorn of those around him.

There’s a cool point about this as it shows us what God is after.  As you listen to David’s words, note that you cannot find any doubt of the Lord within them!  When David is at his lowest, he’s not asking where God is to be found!  David is praising the Lord and calling for His salvation!  For a person after God’s own heart, coming under the eye and oppression of evil is not a reason to doubt God’s existence but an opportunity to express one’s faith in God!

This brings us back to the example of Christ.  For Jesus, the procession of the cross was an opportunity to grieve the evil of humankind.  It was also an opportunity to embrace the plan of God.  It was an opportunity to bring true salvation to those who will receive it.  Evil should always be grieved. Yet we should be quick to remember that it is every bit as much an opportunity to turn to God and embrace His salvation – even if salvation means waiting for the resurrection to experience His glory.  That’s exactly what Jesus did.

This brings us to the praise of Psalm 21.  In this psalm we hear more words about the greatness of God and what He is able to do.  He gives us life.  He bestows joy and blessing upon us.  He sees our enemies.  He will judge over them.  This is why He is God.

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