Forsaken Yet Victorious: The Cry of the Righteous Sufferer (Psalm 22) | Charles Spurgeon

Deep Dive into The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon - Psalm 22The source material provides an exposition of Psalm 22, which is uniquely identified as "THE PSALM OF THE CROSS," detailing the profound sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory. The title, "Aijeleth Shahar," meaning "Concerning the hind of the morning," is interpreted as a poetical metaphor for the Lord Jesus and his cruel huntings.The psalm is naturally divided into a plea for help (verses 1–21) and a foretaste of deliverance and triumph (verses 21–31). The first section opens with Christ’s agonizing cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?". This lament expresses the reality of the forsaking—which occurred because human sins separated humanity from God—while simultaneously demonstrating the Sufferer’s unshakeable faith. Despite crying day and night without immediate comfort, Christ maintains that God is holy and should be praised.He contrasts his present abandonment with the experiences of his ancestors, who trusted God and were delivered. The Lord of glory describes his state of profound humiliation, referring to himself as "a worm, and no man," despised and rejected by all. His enemies mocked him universally with gestures of contempt and taunted his reliance on God. The physical torment is vividly described: he was "poured out like water," his bones felt "out of joint," and his strength was "dried up like a potsherd," suffering intense thirst. His persecutors are likened to fierce animals, including strong bulls of Bashan, a roaring lion, and dogs. Specific prophecies fulfilled at the crucifixion include: "They pierced my hands and my feet," and "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture".Following the petition for rescue, the psalm shifts to the certainty of victory. The Redeemer, anticipating his triumph, determines, "I will declare thy name unto my brethren" in the great congregation to praise God for hearing his cry. The results of his suffering will be universal: the humble shall find a feast in him, be satisfied, and their hearts "shall live for ever". Ultimately, "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord," acknowledging that "the kingdom is the Lord’s". A believing seed will serve him eternally, declaring God’s righteousness, with the entire work culminating in the truth that "It is finished".Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730