Proclaim His glory!

We're winding down our studies in Psalm 22, and this last passage is so triumphant! Let's dive right in!

The psalm now switches gears, so to speak, and is prophesying the resurrection of our Lord. Here's why I believe this (it's not right here in black and white): at the end of verse twenty-one, the scholars translate it as "You have heard," or "You have answered." It's a sudden note of announcement, of confidence after the verses of suffering. 

Also, in verse twenty-two, the Messiah says, "I will declare your name to my brothers." Now, Jesus never called the disciples His brothers before the resurrection. However, immediately after the resurrection, He told Mary Magdalene to "Go to my brothers and tell them 'I ascend to my Father and your Father...." (John 20).

Lastly, the blessings and glories that are described in the remaining verses of the psalm are things that resulted from Christ's resurrection. They are way beyond David's experiences, and so they seem to fit the prophetic view of the passage.

The first blessing is fellowship. Because of Christ's resurrection, we are children of God, and we are His brothers and sisters.

For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)

Next, in verses 22-23, we are exhorted to praise God. 

You who fear the LORD, praise Him; All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And stand in awe of Him, all you descendants of Israel. (Psalm 22:23)

If Jesus only suffered and died, there would be little reason for praise, since we would still be lost in sin. But He is risen! Praise Him!

and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. (I Corinthians 15:17)

Also, we can testify that God heard Christ's cry. 

For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from him; But when he cried to Him for help, He heard. (Psalm 22:24)

He did not abandon Jesus, but brought Him out of the grave. We can testify to God's deliverance in raising Christ from the dead.

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;

before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.

The poor will eat and be satisfied;

those who seek the Lord will praise him—

may your hearts live forever! (vs. 25-26)

The Hebrews would have been familiar with this portion of the prophecy - this pictures a thank-offering. Whenever someone prayed and God answered that prayer, the worshiper would offer a thank-offering at the temple. In this way, they fulfilled their vow in gratitude to God. Then, the poor would be invited to share in a feast, also giving thanks to God. The worshipers would greet each other with, "Let your heart live forever!" In much the same way, we participate in a feast of thanksgiving when we gather for the Lord's Supper and offer thanks for God's gift to us -- deliverance from sin through Jesus' death and resurrection.

The next two verses outline a prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled:

All the ends of the earth

will remember and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations

will bow down before him,

for dominion belongs to the Lord

and he rules over the nations. (Psalm 22:27-28)

When Christ returns, every knee shall bow before Him. Just as the other prophecies have already been fulfilled, this one will come to pass, as well.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;

all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—

those who cannot keep themselves alive.(v. 29)

Lastly, there is a need for evangelism laid out in verses 30 and 31:

Posterity will serve him;

future generations will be told about the Lord.

They will proclaim his righteousness,

declaring to a people yet unborn:

He has done it! (vs. 30-31)

The good news of our risen Savior will be proclaimed to all people and to succeeding generations. The message applies equally to the poor and the rich alike; it applies to all who acknowledge their need of salvation.

The glories of Christ Jesus' resurrection require us to praise, to testify, and to proclaim (spread the word!) God's great plan of salvation to everyone, everywhere!