Psalm 20 A Prayer for Victory/Blessing Psalm (HBH) The king's victory depended not on his cavalry but on his piety and the power of GOD (20:3,7). All his people would rejoice to see him return in triumph (20:5).
Psalm 20:1-9 Conflict: This psalm may have been a typical congregational prayer which was recited on the occasion of the sacrifices that were offered before the beginning of a battle.
Psalm 20:1 GOD of Jacob defends you: Refers to the fact that GOD freed Jacob three times in moments of tribulation (Gen. 35:3).
Psalm 20:6 Now I know: A declaration that the prayer has been heard.
Psalm 20:7 The developed nations used horses and carriages in way, while the Israelites relied on a more primitive arsenal; thus they trusted only in GOD to obtain the victory. Later, Solomon acquired a certain number of horses and chariots (I Kings 10:26-29), going against the Law (Deut. 17:16).
Psalm 20:9 Or as the Greek Septuagint version translates it: "Oh Jehovah, save the King, hear us when we invoke you."
Psalm 21 A Prayer for Victory (HBH) Because GOD had established the Davidic king (21:1-6), the king trusted Him for victory as he went out to meet his foes (21:7). The total victory of the king (21:8-12) anticipates the messianic judgment.
Psalm 21:1-13 This psalm seems to be a thanksgiving praise for the victory obtained after the petitions of Psalm 20. Some experts, as well as Jewish rabbis, see here a type of Messianic King (Jesus) who rises victorious.
Psalm 21:3 For example, after the victory over the Ammonites, David received the royal crown of the defeated king (II Sam. 12:30).
Psalm 21:7 Most High: Title to designate GOD (from the Hebrew Elyon).
Psalm 21:8 Your hand will reach (KJV-find): Is equivalent to, "You will catch up with the enemy who flees or withdraws".
Psalm 21:9 Fiery over: Fire is sometimes used as a symbol to represent GOD's punishment (Mal. 4:1), and it declares that this will be the means used to conclude the final judgment (II Pet. 3:17).
FIRE (IDB) - the combustion of flammable materials. In the Bible, fire often appears as a symbol of GOD's presence and power.
The Israelites and other ancient cultures placed great value on fire. They used it to provide light, cook food, heat their houses, and forge their tools and weapons. The Israelites, particularly, thought of fire as a symbol of GOD's mystical presence as well as His power and judgment.
Fire worship was practiced in many cultures of the ancient world, including the Medes, the Persians, and the Canaanites. In an effort to appease their gods, the Canaanites even sacrificed their children on flaming altars (Deut. 12:31). GOD often warned Israel that this practice was an abomination to Him and that they should not participate in their neighbors' sin (Ezek. 16:20, 21; II Chron. 28:3).
In the Old Testament, fire and flame were closely associated with Israel's worship and religious life. On GOD's instructions, a fire was kept burning continuously on the altars where burnt offerings were sacrificed (Lev. 6:13). The consumption of offerings by flame assured them that GOD had accepted the people's sacrifices (Judg. 6:21; I Kings 18:38).
GOD also used fire to guide His people. GOD spoke to Moses in the burning bush experience and called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage (Exod. 3:2-12). In their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites relied each night on a Pillar of Fire from heaven to guide them in their travels (Exod. 13:21).
Numerous references to fire in the Bible emphasize GOD's judgment on wickedness and unbelief. GOD is represented as a "consuming fire" (Exod. 24:17; Deut. 4:24; Heb. 12:29). The prophet Amos warned Israel, "Seek the LORD and live, lest He break out like a fire in the house of Joseph and devour it" (Amos 5:6). In the New Testament, eternal damnation is pictured as an everlasting fire (I Cor. 3:13; Rev. 21:8). Fire from heaven is described as an instrument of GOD's wrath to crush the satanic rebellion (Rev. 20:8,10).
As a source of heat and light, fire is often pictured in the Bible as GOD's agent to purify and illuminate. The coming Messenger of the LORD is portrayed as a "refiner's fire" (Mal. 3:2). The tongues "as of fire" which came with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost underscored the purging and illuminating quality of GOD's truth (Acts 2:3).
Psalm 21:10 Their fruit: In the cultures of the Middle East, not having anyone to perpetuate the family name was considered a true curse.
Psalm 22 An Individual Complaint (HBH) This psalm follows the pattern of many individual complaint psalms in that it begins with a cry for help and concludes in assurance of deliverance with a promise to fulfill vows. The triumphant conclusion is unusually long (22:22-32). David's situation is a type of the sufferings and resurrection of Christ. The psalm anticipates Christ's outcry from the cross (22:1; Matt. 27:46), the mockery He received (Ps. 22:7; Luke 23:35), His pain and thirst (Ps. 22:14-15; John 19:28), the piercing of His hands and feet (Ps. 22:16), and the casting of lots for His clothes (22:18; John 19:23-24). But it also looks forward to His victory and the coming of people from all nations to submit to Him (Ps. 22:27-28).
Psalm 22:1 My GOD, my GOD: When he was on the cross, the lacerated Christ cried out these words (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34). Hell is the punishment that condemns us to a total separation from GOD because of sin; the situation of feeling completely abandoned. Jesus lived this experience because of our sins and in our place, so that we would be freed from it.
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Psa. 22:1-31 Details of the Messiah's death, THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH. In this psalm there are various prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus' death. Lets have a look at four of them. First, it predicts the masses making fun of him (verses 7,8). The same expressions were heard from the lips of the chief priests before the cross (Matt. 27:36-44). Second, verse 16 specifically predicts that his hands and feet would be pierced. This was fulfilled in the death of Jesus (see John 20:25). Moreover, the casting of lots for Jesus' garments (John 19:23,24) was prophesied in verse 18. But perhaps the most significant declaration in the psalm is in verse 1, which Jesus cited on the cross (Matt. 27:46). The word "forsaken" describes the loneliness of the beloved Son, who bore the sins of the world. Jesus suffered the sentence of humanity, not only that of death, but also the sentence of separation from GOD. In this moment, Jesus experienced the darkest time of his life and endured it for us.
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Psalm 22:3 As GOD dwells among the praises, giving him tribute of worship is the way to fully enjoy his presence. The concept here is that praise realizes GOD's glory and permits those who pay tribute to him to hear the response of his heavenly sovereignty. Through the Holy Spirit this response from on High adopts several forms, such as prophecy, healings, miracles, consolation, a calling to silence or reverent fear, the conviction of sin and the salvation of sinners. This verse should serve as instruction and a model in moments of collective and individual worship.
Psalm 22:1-31 This psalm is frequently cited in the New Testament Gospels in relation with Jesus' crucifixion. It constitutes a parallel of the them of the suffering servant of Isaiah 53.
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Psa. 22:3,4 Praise: the way to GOD's presence, THE WAY OF PRAISE. Without a doubt, one of the most exciting and notable things about honest and sincere praise is taught here: praise will bring the presence of GOD. Although GOD is present everywhere, there is a unique manifestation of his dominion, which is revealed in a particular way in an atmosphere of praise. Here we find the remedy for those moments when we feel alone, abandoned or deprived. Praise! No matter how simple it may be, compose your song and testify of GOD's goodness in your life. The result: GOD will enter! His presence will live (will dwell) in our lives. The word "dwell" (from the Hebrew yawshab) means "settle down, remain, establish oneself, or make a home". That is, GOD does more than visit us when we praise him, his presence remains with us, and we establish a stronger relationship with Him each time. Let's permit this truth to make our faith and trust grow and free us from troubles, torment and satanic bondage. Note how the text simultaneously uses these three words: "Praise", "hope" (KJV-trust) and "deliver". (Psalm 18:3/Psalm 47:7) C.G.
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Psa. 22:3 The establishment of GOD's throne, WORSHIP AND THE KINGDOM. The Psalms were the praise hymnal of the early church, and as such they are filled with principles completely applicable to the neotestamental life of today. Very few principles are more essential for us than this: the Presence of the power of the Kingdom of GOD is directly related to the practice of praising GOD. The verb "dwell" indicates that always when GOD's people exalt his name, the LORD will be prepared to manifest the power of his kingdom, in the most appropriate way, according to the situation. This fact brings many to conclude that, in a very real way, praise creates a space for the presence, and prepares a specific place, so that GOD dwells in the midst of his people. Some have chosen the phrase "establish his throne" to describe this "dwelling" of GOD in our midst, thanks to our worship and welcome accompanied by praises. GOD awaits our worship, filled with a spirit of praise, to hurry along the "coming" of his kingdom and the realization of His will among human beings (see Luke 11:2-4 and Psalm 93:2). We don't manipulate GOD, but we align ourselves with the great truth of the kingdom: his is the power, and ours the privilege (and responsibility) of welcoming him into our midst, whether in the private, social, national or international sphere. :(Exod. 19:5-7/Psalm 93:2) J.W.H.
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Psalm 22:12,13 Bashan: Was an ideal region for raising cattle, east of the Sea of Galilee, where grains were cultivated. Fighting bulls are terrible when they attack someone, just like the lion when he pursues his prey.
Psalm 22:16 Dogs: generally alludes to every type of evil people. The piercing of hands and feet was literally fulfilled when Jesus was crucified.
Psalm 22:18 Garments: This is cited in the four Gospels in relation to the parting of Christ's garments between the soldiers who cast lots over them when they crucified Jesus.
Psalm 22:21 From now on the psalm exchanges the theme of the crucifixion for that of the resurrection.
Psalm 22:22 The equivalent in the New Testament of the term congregation, used in the Old Testament, is church, whose members Jesus called his "brothers" (Heb. 2:11,12).
Psalm 22:27 When something is remembered, it comes to mind and then is acted upon.
Psalm 22:29 This is reflected in Philippians 2:9-11, which says that every knee shall bow before the LORD of all things.
Music and Instruments of the Bible
Psalm 22:8 The mockery of the crowd at the foot of the cross that would ask GOD to liberate Jesus, appears in Matthew 27:40-43.
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