Psalms 22:1-31 - Exposition

The psalm is composed, manifestly, of two portions—the complaint and prayer of a sufferer ( Psalms 22:1-21 ), and a song of rejoicing after deliverance ( Psalms 22:22-31 ). According to some critics, the first of these two portions is also itself divided into two parts—each consisting of two strophes ( Psalms 22:1-10 and Psalms 22:12-21 ), which are linked together by a single ejaculatory verse ( Psalms 22:11 ). A further analysis divides each of the three strophes of ten verses into two strophes of five; but there is certainly no ,such division in the second strophe of ten, since Psalms 22:16-17 are most closely connected together.

The composition of the psalm by David, though not universally admitted, has in its favour a large majority of the critics. The imagery is Davidical; the sudden transition at Psalms 22:22 is Davidical; the whole psalm "abounds in expressions which occur frequently, or exclusively, in psalms generally admitted to have been composed by David" ('Speaker's Commentary'). David's authorship is moreover distinctly asserted in the title, and confirmed by the "enigmatic superscription," which is a Davidical fancy.