Psalm 22 A Prophetic Psalm of Christ And The Cross
The words "Aijeleth Shahar" are best translated as the "hind of the morning." In this Psalm, a man who is suffering is compared to a hind or deer being pursued by hunters in the early morning. This Psalm pictures an innocent, suffering and meek man who is overwhelmed by sorrow and grief. This suffering man pleads most earnestly for divine help based upon his relationship with the LORD, because he was in eminent danger from his enemies. As the Psalm progresses his language of grief and complaint to the LORD are turned to rejoicing and assurance that God will help them. To whom does this Psalm apply? First, we would have to say that it certainly applies to King David because he often faced persecution from his enemies. However, the clearest application is that this Psalm is a glimpse into the heart of Christ on the cross, suffering for us. The proof that this is a Messianic Psalm is found in the gospels where Jesus utters the very words that begin Psalm 22. Psalm 22:...