From Grief To Glory

FROM GRIEF TO GLORY--PSALM 22

Introduction: If you have read the New Testament you can’t fail to see that this Psalm is the Psalm of the Cross and the Crown. This Psalm is a commentary on I Peter 1:11. It is quite obvious that Jesus Christ is the Sufferer referred to here. No doubt David had experienced great persecution, but nothing like this. It has been said that the Psalmist here gives a more vivid description of the sufferings of Christ on the Cross than the Gospel writers. While the Gospels record the more apparent sufferings, the Psalm record record his more hidden sorrows.

This Psalm is divided into two distinct parts. In the first part of the Psalm we the Saviour in his Grief. In the second part of this Psalm we see the Saviour in his Glory. It begins with the Cross and ends with a Crown. It begins in Sorrow and ends with a Song. It is wonderful to announce that Jesus will never have to die again for our sins. “The next time he comes he won’t have to die for me.”

This Psalm is pure prophecy. It is a tremendous proof of the inspiration of the Scriptures. It was written at least 1,000 years before it was fulfilled. With these thoughts in mind, notice some of the particulars.

I. THE SUFFERER’S TEARS - vs. 1-21 In these verse we see how Christ suffered tears for the salvation of sinners.

A. Released by Sovereignty - vs. 1 “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

1. We will never know just how much Jesus suffered on the cross but here is an interesting thoughts

2. For the first time in eternity Jesus became separated from his father on the cross.

B. Rejected by Sinners - vs. 6-7 “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

All they that see me laugh me to scorn....”

1. John 1:11 “He came unto his own and his own received him not.”

2. He came into a world that was created by him, but the world knew him not.

3. “He came unto his own and his own received him not.” The two words “own” are interesting

a. The first “own” means “possessions”

1. He came unto his things.

2. In other words the world was not strange to him, because he had made it;

a. He came into the world like an artist would come into his Art Gallery.

b. He came into the world like a Carpenter would walk into a house he had built.

c. He came into the world like a singer would sing a song he had written.

d. He came into the world like an author that would read a book he had written

3. THE WORLD WAS HIS!!! This verse shows his deity!!!

b. The second “own” means “people”

c. He came unto His own “creation”, yes; but His own “people” received him not.

C. Ravaged by Sin - vs. 14 -15 “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax;

it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my

jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.”

1. What amazes me the most about the death of Jesus is that he did not have to do it.

2. II Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the

righteousness of God in him.”

3. He left the glory world to enter into a sin cursed world to become sin for me and for you.

D. Rent by Soilders - vs. 16-21 “For dogs have compassed me”

1. As Hounds of Hell those Roman Soldiers tortured him beyond recognition.

2. They Pierce his hands and feet - vs. 16

3. They parted his garments - vs. 18

Jesus Christ was deserted, reproached, emptied, humbled, peirced, and put to open shame. Peter Tells us that, “He suffered for us, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. I Peter 3:18 The Cross was the most terrible picture in all of human history, and yet from it came Redemption!!!

II. THE SAVIOUR’S TRIUMPH - vs. 22-31 Here we see that Prayer gives place to Praise. He who was alone in his Sorrow is accompanied in the Song. It is the same voice but not the Same note. It is the Throne in view now and not the cross.

A. The Promise - vs. 22 “I will declare thy name”

1. Because of his obedience to death, God says I’m going to declare thy name!!!