King David was a key ancestor of Jesus Christ, but David was also, at times, a prophet of the coming Messiah (see Christ In The Psalms) - including in this Psalm in which David's song portrayed the words (e.g. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" of Psalm 22:2 - see the Fact Finder question below) and the suffering of the Messiah (e.g. David's "they have pierced my hands and feet" of Psalm 22:16 and David's "they divide my garments among them and for my raiment they cast lots" of Psalm 22:18 happened moreover to Christ, not to David himself) on the "cross" (see Crosses).
"To the choirmaster: according to The Hind of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art Thou so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but Thou dost not answer; and by night, but find no rest.Psalm Chapter 23
Yet Thou art holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In thee our fathers trusted [e.g. see The Trysting Tent]; they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them. To Thee they cried, and were saved; in Thee they trusted, and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm, and no man; scorned by men, and despised by the people. All who see me mock at me, they make mouths at me, they wag their heads; "He committed his cause to The Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"
Yet Thou art He who took me from the womb [see When Does "Life" Begin?]; Thou didst keep me safe upon my mother's breasts. Upon Thee was I cast from my birth, and since my mother bore me Thou hast been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is none to help.
Many bulls [see Bully] encompass me, strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax, it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; thou dost lay me in the dust of death. Yea, dogs are round about me; a company of evildoers encircle me; they have pierced my hands and feet - I can count all my bones--they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast lots.
But Thou, O Lord, be not far off! O Thou my help, hasten to my aid! Deliver my soul [see Where Is Your Soul?; also Do Animals Have A Soul?] from the sword, my life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion, my afflicted soul from the horns of the wild oxen!
I will tell of Thy Name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee: You who fear The Lord, praise him! all you sons of Jacob, glorify Him, and stand in awe of Him, all you sons of Israel! For He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; and He has not hid His face from him, but has heard, when he cried to Him.
From Thee comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear Him. The afflicted [see Trials and Tribulations] shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him shall praise The Lord! May your hearts live for ever! All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to The Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before Him. For dominion belongs to The Lord, and He rules over the nations [see The Coming World Dictator].
Yea, to Him shall all the proud of the earth bow down; before Him shall bow all who go down to the dust [see Resurrections], and he who cannot keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve Him; men shall tell of the Lord to the coming generation, and proclaim His deliverance to a people yet unborn, that He has wrought it." (Psalm 22:1-31 RSV)
The twenty-third Psalm is one of the most well-known of the Holy Scriptures. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures" has been read and recited as a comforting assurance by millions of people in their time of tribuation.
"A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.Psalm Chapter 24
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of The Lord [see Born Again, How and When?] for ever." (Psalm 23:1-6 RSV)
The Lord was sent (see Christ The Creator) to build the earth (see The Lord's Plumb Line) as a house for God's people.
"A Psalm of David. The earth is The Lord's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; for He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers. Who shall ascend the hill of The Lord? [see Who, What or Where Is Zion?] And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from The Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. [Selah]
Lift up your heads, O gates! [see Through The Gates Of Hell] and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, The Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory! [Selah]" (Psalm 24:1-10 RSV)
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