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Psalm 22: From Brokenness to Powerful Praise in Christ

Psalm 22

There are seasons in life when God seems silent and our prayers feel unanswered. The pain of loneliness, rejection, or betrayal can lead us to believe that the Lord has turned His face away. Psalm 22 gives voice to that anguish, while also guiding us toward unshakable hope rooted in God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 22 Summary

The psalm begins with the anguished cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (v. 1). David pours out his lament, describing feelings of abandonment and suffering at the hands of his enemies. Yet woven through his cries are moments of trust in God’s holiness and past deliverance. The psalm then shifts dramatically from sorrow to praise, proclaiming God’s salvation not only for the psalmist but also for the nations. What begins as deep lament ends as a global chorus of worship.

Core Problem / Human Experience

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (v. 1). These words capture the ache of abandonment that so many experience. David describes his body as broken, his soul crushed, and his enemies relentless (vv. 6–18). The sting of mockery, the weight of despair, and the silence of heaven intensify his suffering. We, too, know what it is to feel forgotten—whether through personal loss, fractured relationships, or seasons of unanswered prayer. Yet like David, our cries can still begin with “My God.” Pain does not sever the relationship; it drives us to cry out more desperately.

God’s Character & Actions

Even in anguish, David remembers God’s character: “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them” (vv. 3–4). God is not indifferent to suffering. He is holy, faithful, and near to the brokenhearted. His past deliverances remind us that His silence is never His absence. In His perfect timing, He rescues, redeems, and restores.

The Response of Faith (Psalm 22)

Psalm 22 calls us to keep trusting God even in the silence. Faith does not deny pain; it holds fast to God’s promises in the midst of it. Practically, this means pouring out our hearts in prayer, recalling His faithfulness in Scripture, journaling moments of His past provision, and choosing to worship even before deliverance comes. The movement from lament to praise reminds us that despair is not the final word.

Christ-Centered Connection

Psalm 22 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. On the cross, He echoed David’s words: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). The vivid descriptions of mockery, pierced hands and feet, and divided garments (vv. 6–18) foreshadow the crucifixion. Jesus entered fully into our suffering, bearing our sin and shame. His forsakenness secured our acceptance, and His resurrection assures us that lament will one day give way to everlasting praise.

Doctrinal Insights from Psalm 22

  • God welcomes honest lament (Ps. 62:8). Bringing our pain to Him is an act of faith, not rebellion.
  • God’s past faithfulness strengthens present trust (Lam. 3:21–23). Remembering His works steadies our hearts.
  • Jesus identifies with our suffering (Heb. 4:15). He knows rejection, pain, and abandonment firsthand.
  • Personal deliverance leads to public testimony (2 Cor. 1:3–4). God comforts us so we can comfort others.
  • The gospel extends to all nations (Rev. 7:9–10). Christ’s cry of forsakenness became the foundation of global salvation.

Reflect & Respond

  1. When have you felt as though God was silent or distant, and how did you respond?
  2. How does remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen your trust in Him during trials today?
  3. Which verses in Psalm 22 most clearly remind you of Christ’s suffering on the cross?
  4. What steps can you take to move from lament to praise in your current season?
  5. How might your personal testimony of God’s deliverance encourage someone else’s faith?
  6. How does the global vision of Psalm 22:27–31 shape the way you pray for and engage with the world?

Bringing It Home

Psalm 22 teaches us that suffering and praise are not opposites—they often grow side by side. When you feel abandoned, God invites you to cry out honestly, remember His past faithfulness, and cling to His promises. In Christ, your laments are not wasted. They become testimonies of God’s redeeming power.

A Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that You never abandon Your children. Lord Jesus, thank You for entering fully into our suffering and bearing our sin on the cross. Holy Spirit, strengthen our faith when we feel weary and lift our hearts to praise You, even in the waiting. Amen.

From Lament to Lasting Praise

Psalm 22 reminds us that God hears the cries of the forsaken and turns them into songs of deliverance. Through Christ, our pain is not the end of the story but the pathway to hope and praise.

When the night feels long and your heart is heavy, cling to the God who turns lament into lasting praise.

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Posted in Counseling through the Word Psalm Study

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