“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Those are some of the few words spoken by Jesus on the cross. He is quoting Psalm 22. I had the opportunity to read through the Psalm and found it fascinating.
In just a few verses David predicts events in Jesus’ crucifixion.
Vs. 6 – 8. “..scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
“let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
since he delights in him.”
Vs. 16b: “…a pack of villains encircles me;
they pierce my hands and my feet.”
The amazing thing is that David had no knowledge of crucifixion, but predicted piercing of hands and feet in this Psalm.
And this one: v18: “They divide my clothes among them
and cast lots for my garment.”
Again another prediction of the events surrounding Jesus’ death on the cross.
I seems to me that Psalm 22 is a forgotten Psalm. Growing up I never heard the predictions being read, but maybe only cross referenced in the gospels. When one looks at predictions of Jesus in the Old Testament they would go to Isaiah 53.
I find new things to find in the Bible each time I read it. I am so blessed to have rediscovered in nightly devotionals with my wife.