PSALM 22.
David complains in this psalm, that he is reduced to such circumstances of distress that he is like a man in despair. But after having recounted the calamities with which he was so severely afflicted, he emerges from the abyss of temptations, and gathering courage, comforts himself with the assurance of deliverance. At the same time, he sets before us, in his own person, a type of Christ, who he knew by the Spirit of prophecy behoved to be abased in marvellous and unusual ways1 previous to his exaltation by the Father. Thus the psalm, in the two parts of which it consists, explains that prophecy of Isaiah, (Isaiah 53:8,) "He was taken from prison and from judgment:and who shall declare his generation?"
To the chief musician. Upon the hind of the morning. A psalm of David.
This inscription is obscure; but interpreters have needlessly perplexed themselves in seeking after I know not what sublime mystery in a matter of small importance. Some are of opinion that the word
1 "En toutes les sortes qu'il est possible de penser." -- Fr. "In every way which it is possible to conceive."
2 And this title they say is prefixed to the psalm, because the whole of it is concerning Christ the morning star.
3 Those who render it strength derive the word from
4 This is the sense in which Lightfoot understands the words.