Book 1: Psalm 1-41 God’s presence beside us
Title: to the chief musician upon Aijeleth Shahar. A Psalm of David.
I. The agony of affliction
A. David reaches out to God. (1-2)
B. David remembers God’s character. (3-5)
C. David recounts the mocking. (6-8)
D. David remembers God’s presence. (9-11)
E. David recounts his agony. (12-18)
F. David requests God’s help. (19-21a)II. The answer for the afflicted
A. David praises God openly. (21b-23)
B. David praises God purposefully. (24-25)
C. The faithful will praise the God who answers. (26-27)
D. David praises God’s enduring faithfulness. (28-31)The opening verse of Psalm 22 is both a personal lament and a prophetic light into a future time when David’s son, Jesus, would quote these words from the cross. Numerous portions of this psalm are quoted or are alluded to in the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion.
While so much of this psalm is clearly speaking of Christ on the cross, it is also a very real account of David and the work of God in his life. One of the great themes of this psalm is the determination of David to give praise to God in the presence of all.