Psalm 22 Portrays the Crucifixion
My Old Testament graduate students are stunned by Isaiah 53 and the clear prediction of the crucifixion in Psalm 22.
Jesus’ cry from the cross –
Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
The mockery of the crowd around the cross –
Psalm 22: 6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
The hostility of everyone, the crowd, religious and Roman officials, abandonment –
Psalm 22:11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
The effect of flogging, beating, and crucifixion –
Psalm 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Details of the crucifixion, being nailed to the cross –
Psalm 22: 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
The division of Jesus’ clothes, but rolling dice for the seamless garment –
Psalm 22: 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. Jesus’ ministry was declaring the glory of the Father and being obedient to Him –
Psalm 22: 22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
Justification by faith in His righteousness will follow –
Psalm 22:31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
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This is only a sample of what can be taught from Psalm 22, so the student of the Bible can see what a powerful foundation was built for Justification in Jewish study of the Law, Prophets, and Writings – another name for the Old Testament – and in their worship services. One can encapsulate some of this foundational teaching in the Virgin Birth of Isaiah 7:14, His divine nature and roles in Isaiah 9:6-7, His atoning death in Isaiah 53, and the divine power of the Holy Spirit in the Word in Isaiah 55:8-11.
Nothing in the New Testament is contrary to the Old Testament, so the Justification so clearly taught in Genesis 15:6 onward is revealed in the glory of God’s grace in the Gospels, articulated with great clarity in Paul’s letters.
