Whenever I am in a difficult position or circumstance, I will recite Psalm 23 in my mind. I find it calms my spirit and emotions and gives me the strength to do what I need to do at that moment.
Psalm 23 is part of a trilogy of songs. Psalms 22, 23 and 24 go together. They have been described as songs of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (Psalm 22), the Great Shepherd who lives to care for and provide for His sheep (Psalm 23), and the Chief Shepherd who is coming again to gather His sheep (Psalm 24).
When I read them, I see them as Christ Jesus my Savior (Psalm 22), Christ Jesus my Shepherd (Psalm 23) and Christ Jesus my King (Psalm 24).
When we approach Psalm 22, we must do it with gracious humility and honor. It truly is “holy ground.” It begins with that great cry Jesus uttered from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”
Psalm 22 is a song of David, but it seems to go far beyond anything David might have experienced. It is not the cry of a man who is sick or even a soldier in battle. It is the cry of a man being crucified. He is stripped naked, nails driven through hands and feet. As the hours wear on, he is thirsty and becomes dehydrated. People are growling at him as he dies on the cross.
But the song does not end with death, the second part (verses 22-31) speaks of resurrection and expresses glorious praise to God.
It is hard to read this song without picturing what our LORD Christ Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. As I read it, I keep hearing two words over and over … “for you.”
He did it all “for me” and “for you.” It truly is “holy ground.”
