Psalms 22
Dominus regit me. God’s spiritual benefits to faithful souls.
A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me:
and I shall want nothing. Ruleth me.... In Hebrew, Is my shepherd, viz., to feed, guide, and govern me. *
1.1 'O God my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'—the opening words Jesus cries from the Cross (Matt 27:46). He prays this psalm as He dies.
1.2 By quoting the opening, Jesus invokes the entire psalm—including its conclusion of vindication and universal worship.
1.3 The psalm moves from utter desolation to triumphant praise, tracing the arc from crucifixion to resurrection.
2 He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up,
on the water of refreshment:
3 He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice,
for his own name’s sake.
4 For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils,
for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
5 Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil;
and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
6 And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that
I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days. *
6.1 'I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men'—Christ was despised and rejected, mocked as He hung on the Cross.
6.2 The 'worm' (tola'ath) is the crimson worm from which scarlet dye was made—crushed to produce red color, an image of Christ's blood.