Psalm 22 used violent images to express how totally helpless the psalmist felt. Surrounded by bulls, lions, wild dogs—no one on earth is strong enough to deal with such irresistible enemies. Jesus, his mind filled with the Scriptures, did not need to literally recite all 31 verses of Psalm 22 to show that the whole psalm, not just its first verse, framed his heart’s cry to God on the cross.

• The United Bible Societies’ Translator's Handbook on the Book of Psalms says, “This psalm is characterized by … a series of alternating shifts downward and upward (negative and positive feelings).” The psalm spoke of personal wrestling with God. It began “My God, my God,” and verse 19 says “You are my strength.” What helps you build a faith-filled bond that can reach out to “your God” even at your darkest times?
• John 19:24 said the Roman soldiers at the cross fulfilled Psalm 22:18. (It’s even possible that seeing the soldiers act out verses 7-8 and 17-18 helped call Psalm 22 to Jesus’ mind.) When have you struggled with your own “valley of the shadow,” but in the end found your trust in God stronger because of the experience?