Seder 90: Psalm 22---Preview of the Cross

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.  

Seder 85: Psalm 6---From Lament to Confidence

 Psalm 6, an individual lament, is one of the seven "penitential psalms" traditionally read on Ash Wednesday.  In the midst of suffering, the psalmist (traditionally David) asks God to have mercy on him in accordance with his covenantal promises (vv 2-4). He looks forward to continuing to publicly praise God, which he would not be able to do from the grave.  

There is a shift in tone after verse 7, where the psalmist goes from describing his weariness in suffering to rebuking his enemies.  He has received assurance of his deliverance (vv 8-9)  and warns his enemies to prepare for the fact that God will vindicate him.  This kind of transition from lament to victory is seen in a number of Psalms (see Ps 22, 28, 31, e.g.).  

Some New Testament passages use the language of Psalm 6.  In John 12:27, Jesus says, "Now is my soul troubled," as in Ps 6:3.  The language of Ps 6:8 ("Depart from me, all you workers of evil") appears in Matt 7:23 and Luke 13:27.  In suffering, the psalmist is a forerunner of Jesus, who has achieved victory over sin and death and will cast out the enemies of the kingdom.  He comes to our aid in times of suffering.

Seder 7: Psalm 17--the prayer of a righteous man

The psalms associated with the Genesis account of Noah have tended to focus on the way of the righteous, highlighting the fact that Noah was a righteous man who walked with God (Gen 6:6-9).

Psalm 17 follows this trend.  Here David brings an urgent need before God, asserting that his cause is just.  The sages in the midrash on the Psalms thought of Proverbs 15:8:  "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him."  David's prayer is a prayer of the upright.

We also think of James 5:16:  "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

David in his prayer asks for vindication and investigation (v 2).  He asserts his loyalty to God and sincerity in following Him, and he is open to correction and guidance (as in Ps 139:23-24).  He is not bragging or being self-righteous, just speaking honestly.

David prays with great confidence, showing the close relationship that he has with God.  He is confident in God's merciful character (as in 2 Sam 24:14).

David feels surrounded and besieged by enemies (reminding us of Ps 22, and showing David as a type of the suffering Messiah).  In his suffering, he places himself in God's hands.  He is not concerned about attaining worldly riches, but is content with God's presence, both the next morning and in a future resurrection (v 15).