Psalms·Chapter 22

How to Apply

This week, take a moment when you're feeling overwhelmed or trapped by your own struggles. Write down what you’re feeling. Acknowledge the pain without judgment. Then, look for even the smallest glimmer of hope or a way forward. Maybe it’s reaching out to a friend or finding a new perspective. The key is to allow yourself to feel the weight of your emotions but also to seek out a way to rise above them, just like the narrative shifts from despair to hope.

Chapter Context

This moment is part of a larger chapter that dives deep into feelings of abandonment and suffering. The speaker is grappling with overwhelming challenges, expressing a profound sense of isolation. Just before this verse, there's a sense of mockery and ridicule from those surrounding them, heightening the pain of betrayal. After this moment, there's a shift toward hope and trust, suggesting that even in the darkest times, there’s a glimmer of possibility. This verse serves as a pivotal point, marking the peak of emotional turmoil before the narrative begins to turn toward resilience.

Key Biblical Words (Word Study)

• for - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• dogs - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• encompass - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• company - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• evildoers - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• encircles - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• pierced - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• hands - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".
• feet - The original language uses a word that carries the meaning of "a deep biblical concept".

Reflection Question

When you think about the moments in your life when you felt surrounded by pain, how did you find a way to cope or seek hope in those times?

Related Verses

• Isaiah 53:5 - Written 700 years before this verse, it describes a suffering servant who would bear our pain, connecting to the idea of deep suffering.
• John 19:18 - This verse describes the crucifixion, fulfilling the piercing of hands and feet, showing how this ancient prophecy came to life in a powerful way.
• Matthew 27:39 - This verse illustrates how Jesus faced mockery and scorn, echoing the feelings expressed in this psalm.

Personal Prayer

Lord, thank You for the truth found in Psalms 22:16. Help me to take the insights from this scripture and apply them to my heart today.Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Main Themes

Despair and abandonment, Divine faithfulness, Mockery and scorn, Physical suffering, Hope and deliverance, Praise in suffering, Messianic prophecy

Key Verses

Psalm 22:1, Psalm 22:6, Psalm 22:14, Psalm 22:19, Psalm 22:31

Historical Context

Psalm 22 is traditionally viewed as a lament, encapsulating the deep emotional turmoil experienced by David. Written in a time when Israel faced its own challenges, this psalm serves both as a personal outcry and a communal expression of anguish. The psalm's vivid imagery and emotional depth reflect the struggles of faith in the face of suffering. It's important to note that Psalm 22 not only expresses individual pain but also resonates with the collective suffering of the people of Israel. Furthermore, its prophetic elements have been recognized in Christian theology, with many seeing parallels between David's experience and the passion of Christ, especially as the psalm is quoted in the New Testament.