The first thought of every Christian reading this Psalm will be the Cross of Christ, even though it was written hundreds of years before crucifixion had even been invented, let alone Jesus was put to death. This Psalm filled Jesus' mind and soul when they pierced his wrists and ankles to affix him to a wooden stake. The psalm begins with his first cry on the cross, My God, my God why have you forsaken me, and ends with the victory cry "Done!", He has done it! v.31, Finished, Accomplished, John 19:30.
I remember the frisson of discovering this psalm as a teenager and thinking in my bedroom, I've got to take the Bible seriously if it can prophesy an event to such detail.
verses 1-21
This is the nearest we will come to the mind of Jesus as he died for us. He felt, and was, utterly abandoned by his Father, perhaps the worst horror for both Father and Son. The first sections of the psalm alternate between My, But I (verses 1,2; 6-8; 13-18) and Yet you (verses 3-5; 9-11; 19-21). Every part of the passion of Christ; physical pain - dehydration and torture; emotional torment - abandonment, abuse, mockery, gang violence, public humiliation, insinuation that his God couldn't care less; and spiritual anguish is here in this psalm.
We too may go to some very dark places, endure mockery, have people gang up on us or ask where God is, and through our groans and tears use these words knowing that Jesus has been there first.
Yet he continues to cry to the Lord for rescue and the psalm turns at verse 21.
verses 22-31 In spite of appearances the Lord has heard him after all. He is sure he will be saved and when he is he will invite everyone to a massive party to celebrate His deliverance, tell the world what God has done and lead the praises.
This feast is the ultimate food bank for the starving poor who long to connect with God and now have that longing fulfilled. There will be diners and revellers from every nation on earth. Even the world's rich will be there (v.20) as they realise that even they cannot buy off death but can worship The Titleholder of Life. The victory celebrations will snowball down the centuries too, sweeping us up in praise, so that we shout out the great news to the next generation, He's done it! He's pulled off the impossible wiping our sins and nullifying death. As Jesus said, This is what is written, The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations. (Luke 24;46)
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