## The Messianic Psalm: A Detailed Analysis of Psalm 22 [Psalm 22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.22), authored by David, serves as a remarkable parallel to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The text can be found in both the [[Pietersma2007-ee|Greek Septuagint]] and the [[Vermes2004-tj|Dead Sea Scrolls]], which were written around 1000 BC, well before Jesus' time. The opening verse of [Psalm 22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.22) is cited in [Matthew 27:46](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.27.46) and [Mark 15:34](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.15.34), representing the first words Jesus spoke while on the cross. During that era, it was common for the initial line of a psalm or text to allude to the entire passage ([[Carey2009-cz]], [[Albright1950-pa]]). Many Christians believe that [Psalm 22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.22) prophesies Jesus' crucifixion ([[Tkacz2008-uf]]). The Bible refers to the psalm in [John 19:24](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.19.24); [Luke 23:34](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/LUK.23.34); [Mark 15:24](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.15.24), [Mark 15:29](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.15.29); [Matthew 27:35](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.27.35), [39](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.27.39), [43](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.27.43); and [Hebrews 2:12](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.2.12) ([[Kirkpatrick2019-wd]]). The psalm portrays an individual in immense suffering, pleading to God for assistance. Many details within the psalm align with the New Testament accounts of Jesus' crucifixion. This interpretation has been upheld by numerous Christian scholars throughout history, including early Church fathers ([[Schaff2017-jn]], [[Schaff2017-mm]], [[Jerome2008-jw]] , [[Hippo1990-lx]]). However, it should be noted that not all scholars agree with this interpretation, and some interpret the Psalm more metaphorically or in the context of the historical situation of the Israelites. Proponents against the Christian interpretation have shown that Psalm is still considered Messianic and about the future Son of David. One such example is from the *Pesikta Rabbati*, this eighth-century Midrash associates the words of [Psalm 22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.22) with the suffering Messiah stating: > [!quote] [[Nemoy1968-hw]] > it was because of the ordeal of the son of David, that David wept, saying: "My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. (Ps. 22:16 ) And also: > [!quote] [[Ulmer2016-ss]] > Afflicted and riding on a donkey ([Zech 9:9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ZEC.9.9)) that is the Messiah, why is he called "afflicted"? Because he was afflicted during all those years in prison and because the transgressors of Israel laughed at him. Tradition also holds that Esther quoted this Psalm in [Esther 5:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EST.5.1) on her way to the throne room of the king and that the Psalm could also be similarly applied to her ([[ArtscrollMesorah1991-zz]], [[Tkacz2008-uf]]). ### The Psalm As Applied to Jesus The repetition within the Psalm conveys the great torment the writer was enduring. The beginning verses are a cry of despair from the author but it is then followed up in verses 3-5 and 9-11 with a remembrance of God's goodness through the gruesome circumstances he was experiencing. Verse 6 is where parallels start being made to Jesus on the cross. It has been pointed out by some commentators of the Bible that the word '[worm](https://paperpile.com/app/p/ec770517-581f-0854-a081-94bbf309e9e9 'Worm; Scarlet-Worm')' in the verse is referencing the Middle Eastern worm that was crushed to make red dye, ***[tola](https://paperpile.com/app/p/89c62214-7f8b-0068-a4b8-bd113e9fd146 'Strong�s Hebrew: 8438. ??????? (tola) -- 43 Occurrences')*** . This is also used in [Isaiah 41:14](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.41.14) and is consistent with a suffering servant, becoming an atoning sacrifice by dying on a tree. Verses 6-8 also depict what occurred to Jesus on the cross in Matthew; while on the cross, Jesus was hated and mimicked by hateful bystanders. Psalms 22:12-18 describes the horrific mental and physical hardship that David is undergoing. He refers metaphorically to those persecuting him as bulls, known for their strength. The pouring of water is referenced in [John 19:34](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.19.34) when Jesus was pierced by a spear and water poured out of him, consistent with modern medical knowledge about pericardial effusion and pleural effusion, the fluid buildup around the lungs and heart ([Stroud, W. (1871).](https://paperpile.com/app/p/5774979b-3b38-00e7-af6a-980802ad7b66 'The Physical Cause of the Death of Christ: And Its Relation to the Principles and Practice of Christianity') [Barbet, P. (2018)](https://paperpile.com/app/p/202a3cbf-aa05-07bf-b5fb-70bc0f35299a 'A Doctor at Calvary: The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ As Described by a Surgeon'). [Maslen, M. W., & Mitchell, P. D. (2006).](https://paperpile.com/app/p/383687b0-afa2-0660-b4fb-4ae0aa83930a 'Medical theories on the cause of death in crucifixion') [Ball, D. A. (1989)](https://paperpile.com/app/p/f80d3da5-9bd7-0168-a12c-54977e294b05 'The crucifixion and death of a man called Jesus'),[ed James Patrick Holding](https://paperpile.com/app/p/3f082957-fd38-02ab-9b66-d796431fce55 'Defending the Resurrection')). Jesus experienced extreme dehydration and thirst while on the cross (v. 15). He feels desolate, and the soldiers wagered for his clothes right in front of him (v. 18), just as the gospels record the Roman soldiers casting lots for Jesus' clothes ( [Matthew 27:35](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.27.35); [Mark 15:24](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.15.24); [Luke 23:34](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/LUK.23.34); [John 19:24](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.19.24)). The darkness which came while He hung demonstrated how God viewed the sin-bearer: He turned the shining of His face away (cf. [Numbers 6:25](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/NUM.6.25), [Psalm 67:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.67.1)). > [!NOTE]- Was Psalm 22:16 Translated Wrong? >![[Was Psalm 2216 Translated Wrong]] The trauma He underwent dislocated His bones (v. 14, 17). He makes a note in verse 17 that his bones were unbroken; this is paralleled in the crucifixion of Jesus that not a single leg would be broken, as required by the levitation requirement for a sacrifice ([R. E. Brown](https://paperpile.com/app/p/d601a423-5942-00c2-85d9-c9480ecfd8b7 'The death of the Messiah: from Gethsemane to the grave; a commentary on the passion narratives in the four gospels')). The next section of verses 23-32 changes tone and is about thanksgiving. Many Christians such as Martin Luther interpreted it to anticipate the Resurrection with the previous section to have been about the Crucifixion ([Dieter S'nger](https://paperpile.com/app/p/d45076eb-bd78-0edb-9510-fc675db65bdf '[Psalm 22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.22) und die Passionsgeschichten der Evangelien')). God shows that He did not abandon the Messiah but rescues him in the end and Jesus stands as a whiteness to his brethren (v. 21-25). This victory stands as a remembrance for all the nations, a message of salvation that would even those yet to be born (v. 27-31) Psalms 22 is an unmistakable allusion to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus. This psalm is so important because it is a source that dates back hundreds of years before His death and Resurrection and is yet another line of evidence that this event was predicted to occur.