O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me?

Psalm 22:1-5

O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.
But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel.
In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.

Explanation

This passage is from Psalm 22 in the Bible, a psalm attributed to King David. It is a profound expression of anguish and faith, often referred to as a Messianic Psalm because it is seen as a prophecy of the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Anguish and Despair: The psalm begins with a cry of abandonment: "O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me?" This reflects a deep sense of isolation and distress. The psalmist feels that God is far from his salvation and does not hear his cries, both day and night.

Faith and Trust: Despite feeling abandoned, the psalmist acknowledges God's holiness and the history of God's faithfulness to Israel. "But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel. In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them." This shows a deep-rooted faith that, even in times of despair, God remains worthy of praise and trust.

Historical Context: The psalmist recalls the trust and deliverance experienced by the ancestors of Israel. This historical reflection serves as a reminder of God's past faithfulness and a source of hope for the present suffering.

Messianic Connection: This psalm is often associated with the suffering of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself quoted the first verse of this psalm while on the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). This connection highlights the psalm's prophetic nature and its fulfillment in the New Testament.

In summary, Psalm 22 is a powerful blend of lament and trust, expressing the psalmist's deep anguish while also reaffirming faith in God's deliverance. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human experience of suffering and the enduring hope in divine salvation.