Psalm Chapter 22, Part 2

The Fulfillment of Psalm 22 in Christ

In this teaching, we continue exploring Psalm 22 and its profound prophetic connections to Jesus’ crucifixion. The passage vividly describes suffering, abandonment, and ultimate victory—pointing not only to David’s personal struggles but also to Christ’s agony on the cross. From the piercing of His hands and feet to the casting of lots for His garments, Psalm 22 lays out the events of Jesus’ death with striking accuracy. This reinforces that Jesus fulfilled the scriptures, not just in action but in experience, as He endured humiliation and rejection.

A major focus of this discussion is the prophetic weight of David’s words, particularly the imagery of suffering. Phrases like “I am poured out like water” and “My heart is melted like wax” parallel the physical torment Jesus faced. David’s reference to “dogs” and “bulls of Bashan” symbolizes the religious elite and Roman soldiers who mocked and tormented Jesus. Even Christ’s cry, “I thirst,” on the cross aligns with David’s poetic language, making it clear that Psalm 22 was not just about David—it was about the Messiah to come.

One of the most profound theological questions raised is the nature of Jesus’ forsakenness on the cross. The traditional Trinitarian view struggles with explaining how Jesus, fully God, could be forsaken. But by seeing God as the Father alone and Jesus as the Son, we can better understand that Jesus, the man, was fully abandoned for a time, choosing submission to God’s will despite unimaginable suffering. This moment—where Christ had to decide, without divine aid, whether to remain faithful—was the final and ultimate test of love and obedience.

This teaching also challenges the Trinitarian framework, highlighting how Paul consistently refers to God as the Father and Jesus as the Lord, without ever mentioning a third divine person. If Jesus was both fully man and fully God inextricably, then who exactly was forsaken? The view presented here suggests that Jesus, as God’s Son, truly experienced separation, something that wouldn’t be possible if He were co-equal and co-eternal with the Father in the way traditional doctrine suggests.

Finally, Psalm 22 ends in victory, not defeat. After the suffering, there is triumph: “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord.” The kingdom established through Christ’s suffering is ever-increasing (Isaiah 9:6), and this victory is not limited to a select few but expands to all nations. This leads to an evolution of spiritual understanding, where God’s truth continues to unfold over time, guiding humanity toward a greater comprehension of His love and purposes.

In the end, Psalm 22 is not just a lament but a declaration of God’s plan from the beginning—a plan that Christ fulfilled, transforming suffering into redemption and forsakenness into victory.