In Christianity, Psalm 22 is the most famous of the individual lament psalms. Jesus quoted the beginning of this psalm on the cross, and evangelists describe the crucifixion with an emphasis on the events mentioned in it (see Mt 27:32-46). The division of Jesus' garments (Psalm 22:18) and the derision of onlookers (Ps 22:6-8) are two notable examples.
In Psalm 22, the psalmist alternates between the agony of his present situation and what he knows about God. God has done mighty works on behalf of his people (vv 3-5). God created and sustained the psalmist and had always been with him in the past (vv 9-11), so he prays that God will rescue him once again.
As in a number of lament psalms, there is a transition from supplication to thanksgiving, as the psalmist either states that he has been rescued or looks forward confidently to his deliverance. He looks forward to praising God publicly (v 22) and calls upon others to join him (v 23). He affirms that all people in the past, present, and future will submit to God.
Psalm 22 is also quoted in the New Testament outside of the passion accounts. In Heb 2:10-12, the author quotes Ps 22:22 in making the point that Jesus, in humbling himself to take on the burden of our sins, is not ashamed to call human beings his brothers.
Here, as in several others places in the Heb 1-2, the author asserts that Jesus is the speaker in Ps 22:22, We might imagine that Jesus prayed through all of Psalm 22 on the cross, expressing how he honestly felt at that point and perhaps looking forward to the time when he would be resurrected and speak with his brothers again.
On Feb 5, 2022, Kyle Kettering gave a sermon on Psalm 22 at Church of the Messiah. He pushed back at the idea that the Father ever abandoned Jesus as he took on himself the sin that alienates us from God. But Jesus would have felt particularly alone at that time.
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