1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.
3Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.
4In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.
5They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
6But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
7All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."
9Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.
10From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.
11Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.
12Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
13Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.
14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
15My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
16Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
17I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
18They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
19 But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
20 Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.
21 Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22 I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.
23You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
25 From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
26 The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him—may your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,
28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
29All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.
31They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn— for he has done it.
Throughout the psalms, David uses dramatic language to depict his sufferings and anguish, but this psalm is different. It isn’t merely a cry for safety, or deliverance. According to all the written records of David that we have, He never once comes close to execution. This psalm, however, describes an intense execution.
Do you see any language that affirms that idea?
Read v. 1-5. How does David describe the state he is in? He says, “My God, my god, why have you __________ me?”
In v. 3-5, he reminds himself that God is “enthroned” and that his fathers (men of the faith before him) never regretted trusting God.
In just these three small verses, we see David taking his thoughts captive and claim in truth to himself for a moment. Truth in our mind brings perspective to our eyes.
Read verse 6. What does David call himself? Can you think of a more pitiful depiction? He feels “forsaken” (v.1) and “worthless” (v.6), but he continues to remember his roots. Read verse 9-10.
In verses 11-18, what sticks out to you personally? There is no right answer here, just observe for yourself.
The language in these 8 verses initially refers to the psalmists’ experiences, but the ultimate fulfillment of these words will be found in the execution of Jesus Christ at the cross.
Read the following statements that are pulled from v. 11-18.
- I am poured out like water
- Bones are out of joint
- Strength is dried up
- Tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth
- Band of evil men surround me
- Pierced hands and feet
- People stare and gloat over me
- They divide my garments
- Cast lots for my clothing
This is an exhaustive description of the death of crucifixion! Death by crucifixion was not even conceived of until the rule of the Romans, but this psalm was written previous to the Roman Empire even being established! King David’s psalm transcends time and takes us to Jesus, the true King. This is prophecy of the Christ.
Read v. 27. David goes on to say that all the families will bow to the Lord, and further, all the nations. Read Romans 15:12 for another reference of Jesus ruling the nations.
In the last verse, David proclaims, “He has done it”. Jesus’ final proclamation on the cross was one in the same. He says, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
What David writes about is clearly a description of what was to come. How amazing are our timeless prophetical scriptures! Stop and consider that your Savior’s death was planned since the beginning of time; he had plans to offer redemption before you were even created. Today, focus your mind on your salvation, and meditate on how His death has affected your life. Praise Him.