Overview:
(EBC) Psalm 22: Anguish and Joy
Appendix: Yahweh Is El
(NET) The psalmist cries out to the Lord for deliverance from his dangerous enemies, who have surrounded him and threaten his life. Confident that the Lord will intervene, he then vows to thank the Lord publicly for his help and anticipates a time when all people will recognize the Lord’s greatness and worship him.
v.1-5 Ob and In:
1. Repeated:
My God v.1 x2, v.2
Groan in prayer, cry out v.1,2 (they) cried out v.5
during the day and during the night v.1,2
abandoned me, help seem far away, do not answer v.1,2 (Our ancestors) you rescued them, they were saved v.4-5
(NET) From the psalmist’s perspective it seems that God has abandoned him, for he fails to answer his cry for help (vv. 1b–2).
trusted v.4 x2, v.5
Summary: The author cried out repeatedly and all day long, he got none. But then, he recalled that when the ancestor cried out and got help from God. That added his pain.
2. Change of tune: v.3 You are holy; you sit as king receiving the praises of Israel
(EBC) The pronoun “you” (v. 3) is emphatic and, together with the contrastive use of the connective particle, sets up the distance between God and the psalmist: “Yet you” (“But you”). One might venture to say that he feels a tension in his experience with God (“my God,” three times) and in God’s dealings with Israel. His God has abandoned him and is the object of questions (vv. 1–2), whereas God has saved his people and is the object of their praise (vv. 3–5). The reference to God’s being “enthroned” (yôšēḇ, “sitting”) is a confessional reference to God’s rule (2:4; 9:11; 80:1; 99:1).
(BKC) God is holy, distinct from all the false gods of the pagans in that He is alive and acts. In fact God is enthroned (cf. comments on 2:4) and therefore received praise from the Israelites for answered prayer.
Even in the midst of his suffering, the author was clear that God is the One who rules them. He received praises from Israel because He rescued them when they cried out.
3. The difference between the author and his ancestors: The ancestors trusted God as their ruler and were not disappointed. Help did came from God.
Summary: Not only the author recalled his ancestors' rescue, but he recalled that it was due to the fact that God was their Ruler. The people and the Ruler had a trusting relationship and He well deserved that because He is reliable.
Reflection: Have I got encouraged when I deny my own experience/feeling but look up to Who He is, what He has done in the past, or what He has done in other's lives? If other brothers and sisters can trust God should not that give me confident in Him?
v.6-13 Ob and In:
1. Structure:
v. 6 But I am a worm, not a man; people insult me and despise me... v.10 I have been dependent on you since birth
(NET) The grammatical construction (conjunction + pronoun) highlights the contrast between the psalmist’s experience and that of his ancestors. When he considers God’s past reliability, it only heightens his despair and confusion, for God’s present silence stands in stark contrast to his past saving acts.
v.9 Yes, you are the one who brought me out from the womb and made me feel secure on my mother’s breasts. 10 I have been dependent on you since birth; from the time I came out of my mother’s womb you have been my God.
Even what the author experienced was vastly different from his ancestors and he was mocked. But, he recorded his own experience. God made him feel secure since birth, and he had been cast himself to God for protect since birth. "You have been my God."
(NET) Despite the enemies’ taunts, the psalmist is certain of his relationship with God, which began from the time of his birth (from the time I came out of my mother’s womb).
2. worm v.6= (BDB) symbol of insignificance (EBC)The sense of human dignity is lost when it seems that God is absent and that people reject him
3. repeated:
a. People insult me, despise me, taunt me, mock me v.6-7
8 They say,
“Commit yourself to the LORD!
Let the LORD rescue him!
Let the LORD deliver him, for he delights in him.”
Their reasoning is this: If the author was someone the LORD delights in then the LORD would have rescued him. Since he was not being rescued now v.1-5, he was not delighted by the LORD (and the author claimed himself to be delighted). Therefore, they mock him. Like the friends of Job??
(NET) The psalmist’s enemies sarcastically appeal to God to help him, because he claims to be an object of divine favor. However, they probably doubted the reality of his claim.
b. Many bulls, powerful bulls of Bashan (BKC-Bulls of Bashan were well-fed cattle...east of the Sea of Kinnereth (Galilee)), open their mouths, like a roaring lion v.12-13
Summary: The idea from v.1-2 was further explain here in v.6-7, 12-13. Why did he need help? Because the dangers were great and near. Why did he feel abandoned by God and was mocked by the people? Because God did not send him the help. In the middle, were 2 ups and 1 downs. Up's (1) When he turned to Who God is v.3 and what He had done to the ancestor v.4-5. Down: when he look at who he was and how people mocked him. v.6-8. Up's (2) When he recalled how God is the One who taught him how to dependent on Him since birth.
Reflection: In my doubt and suffering how do I turn my "down" to my "up?" "Up" and "down" is normal during this time, and will not be a one time cycle. When he looks at who he is and how people reacted to him, he was down. Am I also too concern about who I am and what people said about me?
v.14-21 Ob and In:
1. Structure:
A. v.14-15 the devastating status of the author v.15b You set me in the dust of death.
B. v.16-18 the dangerous threats from the enemies v.19 But you, O LORD, do not remain far away! You are my source of strength! Hurry and help me!
B1 v.20-21 The author pleaded for rescue from God v.21b You have answered me!
Summary: The author reckoned his devastating status to what God had done to him, because God had not saved him. The intensities increased when he described the threats from the powerful enemies. His bodies were naked and he could count exactly all my bones (in wasted body) (BDB). He has no choice, but cry out to God again. He did not waver from his faith. God is the source of his strength. He asked God to be hurry.
At the end of the plead he was at rest. (NET) “You have answered me” is understood as a triumphant shout which marks a sudden shift in tone and introduces the next major section of the psalm. He knew that God has answered him. What brought the change? Did his circumstances change? Did he get an answer in his prayer??
Although I do not know how it happened, but from "you are responsible for my mystery" to "you have answered me," the author just keeping his eyes on God. He continued to cry out to God and stood firm in his faith. Finally, he had that triumphant shout. How about me? Will I do that? How to prepare myself to that day?
v.22-31 Ob and In:
1. Mood change the final time.
He praised God
a. before his countrymen (NET=refers to the psalmist’s fellow members of the Israelite covenant community (see v. 23))., in the assembly v.22, 25, before the loyal followers of the LORD (BDB=he that feared the word of Yahweh (J); the name (of Yahweh) v.23, 25 (verse 25 include 2 terms that was repeated from v.22, 23, double inclusio), which included all the descendants of Jacob, all the descendants of Israel (N and S Kgd)
b. For the author was wrong.
v.24 For he did not despise or detest the suffering of the oppressed;
he did not ignore him;
when he cried out to him, he responded
Reflection: When the author praise God he wanted everyone who were in the covenant relationship to know: God is faithful. He responded to His people. The author was wrong and he went public to let everyone know. How about me? Do I let people down and make them think that God is not faithful to His people?
2. He invited the following people to praise God:
a. v.26 Let the oppressed eat and be filled! (NET) The psalmist shares the votive offerings (cf. Lev 7:16–21) with the poor and afflicted so as to give them a sense of relief, which he has so recently experienced. The votive offering was enjoyed at the temple as a communal meal. He blesses them with the comfort that even as food has strengthened their bodies, so shall the Lord strengthen their hearts, enabling them to endure the period of their affliction with patience.
b. Let those who seek his help praise the LORD! he wanted everyone in his situation to praise God v.26.
May you live forever!
Reflection: the author found meaning for his sufferings: to offer help at other people because he knew that God would help them when they sought His help. Both from the other covenantal people and from God Himself. Do I care about other people or just think that God will help them?
c. everyone over the earth, all nations to acknowledge God, turn to Him, and worship Him v.27, including
- those who was better than his situation (the thriving people),
- those who was worse than him (those who are descending into the grave) v.29
- the whole generation now the next generation
- the future generation
(2026) Jesus quoted psalm 22 while He was on the Cross. Jesus suffered like David. He understands our pain, including mine. He heard the prayer of David and David was rescued. He heard my prayers too. Remember He has helped Israel and rescued them. He also helped me in the past. He will not abandon me now. David kept asking God to help him and finally God did. God will help me, too. David praised God before all people and I shall do the same!
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