Whatever may have been the local conditions creating this psalm, it has become so perfectly and properly associated with the one Son of God that it is almost impossible to read it in any other way. This and the two following psalms constitute a triptych of tablets on which are written the story of the Christ in His work as Saviour, Shepherd, and Sovereign.
As to this first, seeing that in the supreme mystery of the Passion Jesus quoted the first words, we are justified in reading it in the light of that Cross. It has two great movements. The first admits us, so far as that can be, to the lonely suffering of the One on the altar of sacrifice (verses Psa 22:1-21). The second brings us into the presence of the joy of the Victor, as through the travail He saw the triumph (verses Psa 22:22-31). In reverently reading the first, we must understand that all the desolation was the experience of One who had entered into the sinner's place. In rejoicingly reading the second, we must recognize that the height of joy is the ability to proclaim an evangel to those in need. And this is enough to write. For the rest, let the Spirit, who is the one Interpreter of the Christ of God, speak to our hear? and let us in amazement worship and obey.