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My God, My God
Psalm 22 · David (attributed) · Updated April 16, 2026
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”
Psalm 22:1“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.”
Psalm 22:7“Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.”
Psalm 22:16“They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.”
Psalm 22:18Psalm 22 is traditionally attributed to King David, who reigned over Israel around 1000 BC. This period was crucial for the unification of the Israelite tribes and the establishment of Jerusalem as both a political and religious center. David's reign marked a time of consolidation and expansion, laying the groundwork for the future prosperity under his son Solomon
However, academic scholarship often dates Psalm 22 to the 6th or 5th century BC, during the post-exilic period. This dating arises from linguistic and thematic elements consistent with later Psalms, suggesting that the text may have been composed or redacted during a time when Israel was grappling with its identity and faith after the Babylonian exile. This period was characterized by a return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple, under the auspices of Persian rulers like Cyrus the Great, who allowed the exiled Jews to return and rebuild their city.
The crux of the debate surrounding Psalm 22 lies in its interpretation as a messianic prophecy. Christians argue that it predicts the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, while Jewish interpretations see it as a reflection of the trials faced by Israel or an individual lament, possibly by David himself. The stakes are high: if Psalm 22 is indeed a prophecy of Jesus, it serves as a powerful validation of Christian claims about the Messiah. Conversely, if it is not, it underscores the Jewish understanding of messianic prophecy as unrelated to Jesus. The text's vivid imagery and emotional depth continue to fuel theological debates and shape Jewish-Christian dialogues.
Psalm 22 begins with a profound cry of abandonment: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The speaker vividly describes intense suffering, feeling mocked and scorned by onlookers. The imagery includes physical torment and a plea for divine intervention. Despite the despair, the psalm transitions into a declaration of trust in God and a vision of future vindication.
> Psalm 22:1 > "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?"
> Psalm 22:7 > "All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads."
> Psalm 22:16 > "Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet."
> Psalm 22:18 > "They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment."
A significant textual issue arises between the Septuagint (LXX) and the Masoretic Text (MT) in Psalm 22:16. The LXX translates this as "they pierced my hands and my feet," while the MT reads "like a lion my hands and my feet." This difference is crucial, as the LXX's reading aligns more closely with the crucifixion narrative, whereas the MT's version does not suggest such imagery.
The weight of evidence suggests that Psalm 22 was originally a personal or communal lament, reflecting the trials of an individual or the collective suffering of Israel. The Christian interpretation, while compelling in its parallels to the New Testament, relies on a retrospective reading that imposes a messianic framework onto the text. The textual differences between the LXX and MT further complicate the issue, as they significantly affect the interpretation of key verses. Ultimately, the text alone cannot resolve the debate, as its original context and intent remain obscured by centuries of theological interpretation.
Christians interpret Psalm 22 as a prophecy of Jesus' crucifixion, seeing parallels in the details of suffering and the New Testament accounts of Jesus' death.
Scriptural evidence: Matthew 27:46, John 19:24
Key objection: The psalm's original context does not explicitly mention Jesus or a messianic figure.
Jewish interpretations often see Psalm 22 as reflecting the collective suffering of Israel or the personal lament of an individual, such as David, without messianic implications.
Scriptural evidence: Psalm 44:22, Isaiah 53:3
Key objection: The detailed suffering described aligns closely with the New Testament crucifixion narrative.
Some Second Temple Jewish texts may have seen the psalm as reflecting the sufferings of a righteous individual, possibly with messianic overtones, but not explicitly linked to Jesus.
Scriptural evidence: Wisdom of Solomon 2:12-20
Key objection: There is no direct evidence linking Psalm 22 to messianic expectations in Second Temple texts.
LXX vs MT differences
The Septuagint (LXX) translates Psalm 22:16 as 'they pierced my hands and my feet,' while the Masoretic Text (MT) reads 'like a lion my hands and my feet.'
This difference affects interpretations of whether the text predicts crucifixion.
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