Psalm 22
Here the debasement and exaltation of David, king of Israel, are merely subservient to, and figurative of the debasement and exaltation of Jesus Christ, our blessed Aijeleth Shahar, Hind of the Morning
I. In this deep debasement we find, (1.) Bitter, but kindly and believing, complaints of God's withdrawment; attended with earnest attempts of faith to quiet the complainer's soul under it, drawn from the consideration of God's holiness and highness, and his seasonable deliverance of his people in former times, when they cried to him, ver. 1-5. (2.) Bitter complaints of men's reproaches and contemptuous derision; attended with self encouragements, drawn from former experience of God's early and seasonable care and friendship, ver. 6-10. (3.) Bitter complaints of the number and rage of enemies, attended with exquisite agonies of body and mind, and mingled with earnest prayers for God's speedy supports, assistance, and powerful deliverance, ver. 11-21.
While I sing these, let me behold the vileness, the criminality, the destructive influence of sin! Let me behold the sovereignty of God, who not only scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, but spared not his only begotten Son, but delivered him up for us all! Behold, how he hates, how he punisheth our sin! And what manner of love he bestowed upon us, that we might be called the sons of God! Behold, how he commendeth his love unto us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us! And if Jesus, with patience bore such desertion, reproach, and distress; let me, in the firm faith that he did all for me, and that God is mine, and maketh all things work for my good, study an unhampered resignation to his will.
II. By the typical exaltation of David, and the increase, happiness, honour, and duration of his kingdom, we have prefigured the glorious exaltation of our Redeemer; importing, that he should have a church among men; that his Father should be glorified in them as well as in him; that his true subjects should abound in prayer, praise, spiritual comfort, and everlasting life; and that his church should be enlarged with multitudes of both Jews and Gentiles, and should, to his honour, and for his worship and service, continue to all generations, ver. 22-31.
While I sing this, let me trust, and rejoice in, and plead his promises, relative to myself and his church. Let me ponder, whether I have heard his voice, shared his saving pity, feasted on his spiritual provision, and worshipped him in spirit, and in truth! And whether it is the desire of my soul to cause his name to be remembered to all generations.