How does Psalm 22 apply to Christ?

Psalm 22 is one of the most powerful and prophetic passages in the Old Testament. Written by King David around 1000 B.C., it begins with an intense cry of despair: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1, NKJV). This cry was later repeated by Jesus Christ on the cross, directly connecting the psalm to His suffering. Although David wrote it from personal experience, the psalm goes far beyond his own circumstances. Many Bible scholars and Christians agree that this Psalm is a messianic one—one that prophetically points to Jesus Christ and His crucifixion.

This article will explore how Psalm 22 applies to Christ, examining its prophetic elements, the New Testament fulfillment, and the deep theological truths it reveals about the suffering, death, and ultimate victory of the Messiah.

Psalm 22 as a Messianic Prophecy

Messianic psalms are those that speak about the life, suffering, death, resurrection, and reign of the promised Messiah. Psalm 22 is especially significant because it contains vivid imagery that closely parallels the events of Jesus’ crucifixion. It provides detailed descriptions of suffering that align with what Jesus endured on the cross.

While David may have experienced hardship and betrayal during his life, many of the specific details described in this Psalm did not happen to him but did happen to Christ. This suggests that David was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, foretelling the sufferings of the coming Savior.

As 1 Peter 1:10-11 (NKJV) says:
“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully… searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.”

Jesus Quotes Psalm 22 on the Cross

The most direct connection between this Psalm and Jesus is found in Matthew 27:46 (NKJV):
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’”

These are the exact words from Psalm 22:1. Jesus was not merely expressing anguish; He was deliberately quoting Scripture. By doing so, He pointed those around Him—and future generations—to the prophetic fulfillment of the psalm in His crucifixion.

Verses That Foreshadow the Crucifixion

Several verses in Psalm 22 describe events that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus. These are not general poetic expressions but specific details that correspond with New Testament accounts.

Mockery by Onlookers

“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, ‘He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!’” (Psalm 22:6-8, NKJV)

This passage finds its fulfillment in Matthew 27:39-43 (NKJV), where the crowd mocked Jesus:
“And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads… ‘He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, “I am the Son of God.”’”

The same words of ridicule are used in both passages, showing that Jesus was experiencing exactly what David wrote about centuries earlier.

Physical Suffering

“I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.” (Psalm 22:14-15, NKJV)

These verses reflect the extreme physical agony of crucifixion. Jesus experienced dehydration, exhaustion, and pain as His body was stretched and pierced on the cross. John 19:28 (NKJV) records:
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished… said, ‘I thirst!’”

The reference to being “poured out like water” and the bones being “out of joint” reflect the dislocated limbs and open wounds associated with crucifixion.

Piercing of Hands and Feet

“For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet.” (Psalm 22:16, NKJV)

This is a remarkable prophecy, given that crucifixion was not practiced by the Israelites in David’s time. It was a Roman method of execution that came much later. Yet the psalm speaks of a victim whose hands and feet are pierced—precisely what happened to Jesus.

John 20:25 (NKJV) records Thomas speaking of Jesus:
“Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails… I will not believe.”

The accuracy of this prophetic detail is strong evidence that Psalm 22 points directly to Christ.

Visible Bones and Emaciation

“I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me.” (Psalm 22:17, NKJV)

This implies severe emaciation and physical exposure. Jesus was beaten, scourged, and crucified without His garments, fulfilling the imagery of visible bones and the crowd staring at Him.

Casting Lots for Garments

“They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” (Psalm 22:18, NKJV)

This verse is fulfilled in all four Gospels. For example, John 19:23-24 (NKJV) says:
“Then the soldiers… took His garments and made four parts… but the tunic was without seam… They said… ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it…’”

This precise action was foretold by David a thousand years earlier.

The Cry of Abandonment

The opening line of Psalm 22—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”—is perhaps the most heart-wrenching cry in all of Scripture. Jesus spoke these words not just to express His agony, but to fulfill the prophecy and reveal the weight of sin He bore.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV) explains:
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Jesus experienced separation from the Father, not because He sinned, but because He took our sin upon Himself. The forsaking described in Psalm 22 was felt by Christ as He bore the judgment we deserved.

A Transition from Suffering to Praise

Psalm 22 does not end in despair. After describing the suffering, it shifts toward hope, praise, and victory. This transition mirrors the resurrection and exaltation of Christ.

Psalm 22:22 – Declaring God’s Name

“I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You.” (Psalm 22:22, NKJV)

This verse is quoted in Hebrews 2:12 (NKJV) as referring to Christ:
“I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”

After His resurrection, Jesus did exactly this—He appeared to His disciples and proclaimed the victory of God. This shows that the psalm not only points to Christ’s suffering but also to His triumph.

Psalm 22:27 – The Nations Will Worship

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.” (Psalm 22:27, NKJV)

The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ would lead to the salvation of people from every nation. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and the spread of the Gospel fulfill this prophetic vision.

Psalm 22:31 – It Is Finished

“They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has done this.” (Psalm 22:31, NKJV)

This concluding line echoes the final words of Jesus on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30, NKJV). The work of salvation is complete, just as the psalmist predicted. Future generations will hear and proclaim the righteousness of Christ.

Summary of Fulfilled Prophecies in Psalm 22

Psalm 22 includes at least a dozen elements that are fulfilled in the passion of Christ:

1. The cry of abandonment (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46)
2. Mocking by onlookers (Psalm 22:7-8; Matthew 27:39-43)
3. Physical agony (Psalm 22:14-15; John 19:28)
4. Piercing of hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; John 20:25)
5. Visible bones and suffering (Psalm 22:17; Luke 23:35)
6. Casting lots for garments (Psalm 22:18; John 19:24)
7. Praise after suffering (Psalm 22:22; Hebrews 2:12)
8. Worldwide worship (Psalm 22:27; Revelation 7:9-10)
9. Completion of salvation (Psalm 22:31; John 19:30)

The alignment between Psalm 22 and the New Testament is too specific to be accidental. It reveals the divine authorship of Scripture and the eternal plan of redemption through Christ.

Theological Importance of Psalm 22

Psalm 22 is more than a prophecy; it is a theological masterpiece. It shows us:

• The cost of sin: Jesus was forsaken so we could be forgiven.
• The love of God: Christ endured unimaginable pain to redeem us.
• The plan of redemption: Even the darkest moments were foretold.
• The triumph of faith: Suffering gave way to praise and global salvation.

Romans 5:8 (NKJV) summarizes this truth:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Conclusion

Psalm 22 applies to Christ in profound and undeniable ways. It not only foretells the events of His crucifixion with stunning accuracy but also reveals the heart of the Gospel—suffering that leads to salvation, despair that ends in victory, and abandonment that results in eternal fellowship.

For the believer, Psalm 22 is a precious reminder that Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures perfectly and willingly suffered so that we could live. It calls us to worship, to trust, and to declare His righteousness to generations yet to come. As we reflect on this psalm, we gain a deeper appreciation for the price of our redemption and the faithfulness of God’s Word.