Psalm 22 Continued…
In verses 11-14 we see the feeling of loneliness and imposing threats looming in on our crucified Lord.
Psalms 22:14 I 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.
This accurate description of crucifixion is remarkable when you consider that crucifixion was unknown when this psalm was written. The Roman Empire was not even in existence, and it was Rome that instituted crucifixion. Yet here is a picture of a man dying by crucifixion!
“I am poured out like water”—the excessive perspiration of a dying man out in that sun.
“All my bones are out of joint”—the horrible thing about crucifixion is that when a man began to lose blood, His strength ebbed from him, and all his bones slipped out of joint. That is an awful thing. It was terrible, terrible suffering.
Then he says something that is indeed strange, “My heart has turned to wax,” He died of a broken heart. Many doctors have said that a ruptured heart would have produced what John meticulously recorded. “one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” (John 19:34). Like ebbing water and melting wax, his strength fades away, and He becomes like a brittle piece of broken pottery. John took note of that and recorded it. Jesus died of a broken heart! David the prophetic psalmist (Acts 2:30) saw what would happen to Messiah centuries later.
“I THIRST”
As He was hanging there ready to expire, with excessive perspiration pouring from Him, He suffers the agony of thirst.
Psalms 22:15 My 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.
Down below the cross, they hear Him say, “I thirst.” The “dust of death”—of course, denotes the grave.
Psalms 22:16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
Evil doers are appropriately described as “dogs,” which in the East, hunting in packs, wild and ravenous, are justly objects of great abhorrence. “Dog” was the name for Gentiles. The piercing of His hands and feet is an accurate description of crucifixion.
Psalms 22:17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
In verses 8-18, we have one of the clearest glimpses granted us of the psalmist’s pitiable mental and physical condition. He has no heart to stand up against such hatred and hostility. The details of Calvary are clearly seen here; mockery (v. 8), shame (vs 13, 17), the pain of crucifixion (vs. 14-16), piercing of hands and feet (v. 16), the parting of garments (v. 18). His physical body was disintegrating. His mouth was parched and dry from fever. He is so emancipated that his ribs stick out. And his enemies gloat over his weakening physique.
This accurate description of the crucifixion of Christ is made remarkable, since David had never seen or even heard of crucifixion. That horrible method of death would have to wait for the Roman Empire to come into being which was at this time many centuries in the future.
Psalms 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.
This verse is quoted in the New Testament: “When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” (Matthew 27:35).
He was naked when He was crucified. It is difficult for us in this day of nudity and pornography to comprehend the great humiliation He suffered. Those pictures we see with Him scantily clothed is meant to protect our delicate feelings. He suffered by hanging nude on the cross. They had taken His garments and gambled for ownership. My friend, He went through it all, crucified naked, so that you may be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and be able to stand before God throughout the endless ages of eternity.
There is so much more to be said about this Psalm but there isn’t sufficient space in our time studying it. I encourage you, even as we move on to the next magnificent Psalm (Psalm 23), to continue to read Psalm 22 and meditate on its amazing and marvelous message. Christ died for you. He bore all your sin on that tree so that you might become the friend of God once again.
PRAY (Maybe even sing)
He left His Father’s throne above, So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free; For, O my God, it found out me.
Amazing love, how can it be That you my God would die for me!