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HE HEARS US
(QUESTIONS)
Psalm 22:1-31 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)
Key Verse: 22:24, “For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.”
[Note the verses here that are fulfilled in Jesus: (verse 1: Matt.27:46; Mark 15:34; verses 7–8: Matt.27:39; Mark 15:29; Luke 23:35; verse 18: Matt.27:27–35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; verse 22: Heb.2:11–12). How do these fulfilled prophecies help us understand his death?]
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How does David begin this psalm, and why (1–2)? How does he describe God, and why (3–5)? What does he say about himself (6–8)? Of what is he personally aware (9–10), and what does he ask (11)? What can we learn from him here about how to pray?
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How else does David describe his situation, and what do these images of animals suggest (12–18)? What does he do (19)? What does he say about his life (20)? In the end, what does he say to God (21)? What more does this teach us about prayer?
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What does David want the congregation to know and to do (22–24)? Read verse 24. Why is it important to believe that God hears us (cf. 1 John 5:14–15)? What does this tell us about God our Shepherd? How else does David respond to God, and why (25–26)?
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What broader meaning does David see here (27), and what more does he say about God (28)? How does he conclude (29–31), and what hope does this give
Key Verse: 22:24, “For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.”
Does it ever seem that you are not being heard? We may share something honest, but people ignore us. At times we may be surrounded, exhausted, and feel like no one cares. In Psalm 22 this happens to David. He feels “so far” from God, unheard, forsaken, then begs God to “be not far from” him (1–11). He says more about his sufferings and exclaims to God, “Do not be far off!” (12–21) But when he realizes God has heard him, he promises to praise him in the congregation, and sees how this good news will reach the whole earth, even to future generations (22–31). Still, some words in this Psalm are uncomfortable to us. Why not just focus on the positive? But if we reflect on all these words, it leads us to a much closer, deeper relationship with God. Ultimately it points us to our Lord Jesus and the confidence we can have toward him. We especially want to focus on the truth that God hears us. How is it possible that he hears us? How should we respond? May God speak to us through his word.
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“Why are you so far?” (1–11)
In our Psalms series thus far, this is the first one that’s called a “lament.” A lament is a passionate expression of grief, sorrow, or even complaint. But to us, this may not seem a right way to talk to God. We should come to God with awe, respect, and thanks, right? But we also should come to him honestly and tell him all we have in our hearts. And yet, if he isn’t really listening, what’s the point?
Read verses 1–2. Three times here David says “my God.” He’s not just complaining; he really knows God and has been close to him. But now, things are different. He feels “forsaken,” “so far” from God. Twice he asks, “Why?” He’s been groaning, crying day and night, and still feels not saved, that he has no answer. There doesn’t seem to be anything David has done that would cause God to ignore him. For any faithful believer, there are times, even long stretches, when we may hear only silence and feel like David here.
But he doesn’t just say these things; how else does he pray? Read verses 3–5. He’s expressing his faith in God. David knows God is holy, not unrighteous. He knows God is “enthroned on the praises of Israel.” He means the entire nation has known how good God has been to them. Three times David repeats that in their history they trusted in God, and God delivered them, rescued them, and did not put them to shame. David knows and believes that trusting in God brings real salvation. But though he knows and trusts God, he has to be honest. Read verses 6–8. David tells God how low he feels: less than human, as low as a worm. He’s been scorned and despised. People are mocking him, even mocking his trust in God and commitment to God. Such mockery is unbearable.
Then he says more. Read verses 9–10. These are intimate words. David knows that from the beginning God is the one who’s been deeply interested in his life, caring for and nurturing him. From his birth it’s God who’s been sustaining and protecting him. So he’s implying, “You wouldn’t abandon me now.” He’s appealing to God’s great faithfulness, speaking as a loving child to his loving Father. In this, David has the image of Jesus. His words to God here are so compelling. Finally, he makes one request. Read verse 11. He’s simply telling him he’s in trouble and there’s none to help, and simply asking him to be near him. His intimate words and one simple request show us how to pray. Some people pray for many important and practical things. But they miss the essential one: asking God to be near me. It’s not to solve anything or even prove anything; it’s not epic; it’s just asking God what we need most: his own presence.
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“Do not be far off!” (12–21)
In this part David honestly tells God what’s been happening to him. Read verses 12–13. “Bashan” was a place famous in Israel for its strong bulls. Lions were famous for ripping their victims apart, then roaring. David is surrounded not by powerful and dangerous animals, but by scary people, hungry to get rid of him. We saw in Psalm 18 how Saul raised his hand against David. Now it seems many more have surrounded him. What’s going on? When David was just a shepherd boy, God prompted Samuel to anoint him to be king of Israel someday. But as the years passed and the time got closer for that to happen, many others were also hungry for that position. Perhaps this is what David saw here. Desire for power and position can still turn people into vicious political animals.
At this point, what is David’s condition? Read verses 14–15. His strength is spent, like poured-out water. All his bones are out of joint, meaning it’s too painful even to move. The courage of his heart has melted away. A “potsherd” is a broken piece of pottery, and David feels like a dried up one, ready to crumble even more. He’s so dry, he can’t even speak. He’s sensing God may be about to lay him in the dust of death. Why does he feel this way? Read verses 16–18. He’s been mauled, starved, shamed, and now they’re gambling for his clothing, even before he’s dead. It seems too late for anything to be done for him.
At this lowest point David prays again. Up to now he’s been lamenting, questioning, and saying how he feels: abandoned, abused, and scared. But now he’s crying out in faith to God once more. Read verses 19–21. David cries, “O LORD,” calling on the one he knows loves him. He cries, “O you my help,” the one who’s always been right there with him, carrying him through it all. He cries, “Do not be far off!” He pleads, “Come quickly to my aid,” “save me.” When God comes near us, this is what he does. At our darkest moments, we need to know that God and only God can save us from our enemies, even death itself.
And notice how David suddenly says, “you have rescued me” (21b). The Hebrew phrase is literally, “you have answered me.” We don’t know how, but David’s honest lamenting and sharing has finally brought him to a place where he can hear God’s answer. It’s the answer of God’s salvation. It holds another key to the world of prayer. It can seem so hard to start talking to God, so impossible even for him to help. But we need to persevere in speaking honestly with God and even crying to him. And like David, we need to keep asking God to be close. As we get closer to him, pouring out our hearts, we will surely hear his answer.
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“For he has heard” (22–31)