I may tell all my bones. Our Lord's active life and simple habits would give him a spare frame, while the strain of crucifixion would accentuate and bring into relief every point of his anatomy. He might thus, if so minded, "tell all his bones." They look and stare upon me (comp. Luke 23:35 , "And the people stood beholding"). read more
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. It has been well observed that "the act here described is not applicable either to David or to any personage whose history is recorded in the Bible, save to Jesus". Two evangelists ( Matthew 27:35 ; John 19:24 ) note the fulfilment of the prophecy in the conduct of the soldiers at the crucifixion of Christ. The circumstance is reserved for the final touch in the picture, since it marked that all was over; the Victim was... read more
But be not thou far from me, O Lord (comp. Psalms 22:11 ). The special trouble for which he had invoked God's aid having been minutely described, the Sufferer reverts to his prayer, which he first repeats, and then strengthens and enforces by requesting that the aid may be given speedily, O my strength, haste thee to help me. Eyaluth , the abstract term used for "strength," seems to mean "source, or substance, of all strength." read more
Deliver my soul from the sword. "The sword" symbolizes the authority of the Roman governor—that authority by which Christ was actually put to death. If he prayed, even on the cross, to be delivered from it, the prayer must have been offered with the reservations previously made in Gethsemane, "If it be possible" ( Matthew 26:39 ); "If thou be willing" ( Luke 22:42 ); "Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." The human will in Christ was in favour of the deliverance; the Divine... read more
Save me from the lion's mouth (comp. Psalms 22:13 ). Either the chief persecutors, viewed as a class, or Satan, their instigator, would seem to be intended. For thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns; rather, even from the horns of the win oxen hast thou heard me. The conviction suddenly comes to the Sufferer that he is heard. Still, the adversaries are round about him—the "dogs," the "lions," and the "strong bulls of Bashan," now showing as ferocious wild cattle, menacing... read more
I will declare thy Name unto my brethren . The thought of the brethren is uppermost. As, when the body was removed, loving messages were at once sent to the disciples ( Matthew 28:10 ; John 20:17 ), so, with the soul of the Redeemer in the intermediate state, the "brethren" are the first care. God's Name, and all that he has done—the acceptance of the sacrifice, the effectuation of man's salvation—shall be made known to them (see Hebrews 2:9-12 ). In the midst of the congregation will... read more
Consequences of deliverance. In this last part the sufferer depicts the happy consequences of his deliverance, which he anticipates in faith, and, lifted up in spirit above the present, beholds, as if it were already present. I. THE PSALMIST 'S DELIVERANCE SHALL BE A CAUSE OF REJOICING TO ALL ISRAEL . ( Psalms 22:22-26 .) 1 . He will inspire the whole congregation with the tidings. We cannot and ought not to keep to ourselves the great fact of our... read more
Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel . "All Israel:" all the people of God are called upon to join in the praise which the Sea will henceforth offer to the Father through eternity. The praise of God is to be joined with the fear of God, according to the universal teaching of Scripture. read more
For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted . The Father might seem by his passivity to disregard his Son's affliction; but it was not really so. Every pang was marked, every suffering sympathized with. And the reward received from the Father was proportionate (see Isaiah 53:12 , "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death;" and Philippians 2:8-11 , "He... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 22:16
For dogs have compassed me. "Dogs" now encompass the Sufferer, perhaps the subordinate agents in the cruelties—the rude Roman soldiery, who laid rough hands on the adorable Person ( Matthew 27:27-35 ). Oriental dogs are savage and of unclean habits, whence the term "dog" in the East has always been, and still is, a term of reproach. The assembly of the wicked have enclosed me ; or, a band of wicked ones have shut me in. The "band" of Roman soldiers ( Mark 15:16 ) seems foreshadowed. ... read more