August 24, 2025 • 9 mins
Title: Psalm 22: From Forsakenness to Praise in Christ
Psalm 22 moves from raw cries of abandonment to triumphant praise, offering hope to those who feel overwhelmed, rejected, or forgotten. In this episode, discover how Christ’s suffering fulfills this psalm and learn how God transforms lament into lasting worship for His people today.
Episode Highlights
- The psalm opens with the cry of forsakenness—“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—echoed by Jesus on the cross.
- Honest lament is not faithlessness but clinging to God in the midst of pain.
- Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens present trust in seasons of silence.
- David’s suffering foreshadows Christ’s crucifixion, showing us a Savior who fully enters into our pain.
- The turning point comes with deliverance: lament gives way to praise and testimony.
- Personal rescue becomes a public witness, pointing to God’s global mission of salvation.
- Suffering and worship can coexist—lament is transformed into praise through God’s redeeming work.
Resources and Next Steps
- Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
- Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
- Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.
ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.
Resources and Next Steps
- Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
- Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
Listen and Subscribe: Find Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr., wherever you listen to podcasts
Connect
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone, it's James Long.
Do me a favor and grab yourBible and a journal and turn to
Psalm 22.
Today, psalm 22 moves from thedepths of anguish to the height
of praise, offering hope tothose who feel abandoned or
overwhelmed.
It reminds us that honestlament can coexist with
unshakable faith, pointing us toChrist who suffered for us and
(00:23):
now leads his people in worship.
The psalm speaks to emotional,relational, mental and spiritual
struggles by assuring us thatGod's silence is never his
absence.
The first section we'll look attoday is the cry of
forsakenness and the choice totrust.
The opening words of Psalm 22are among the most haunting in
(00:44):
scripture my God, my God, whyhave you forsaken me?
Verse 1.
They carry the weight of deepabandonment, echoed centuries
later by Jesus on the cross.
This is not a complaint ofsomeone who is given up on God,
but one who clings to God in themidst of confusion and pain.
David's anguish is raw andunfiltered.
(01:05):
He feels unheard, forgotten andsurrounded by trouble.
His body is weakened, his soulcrushed and his enemies
relentless.
Yet even here, he addresses Godas my God.
Pain has not severed therelationship.
It has driven him to speak withurgency and honesty In seasons
when we feel forsaken.
(01:26):
Psalm 22 invites us to keepcrying out to the Lord.
Silence does not meanabandonment, and unanswered
questions are not the same asunanswered prayers.
Remembering God's pastfaithfulness In verses 3-5,
david pivots from lament toremembrance.
Yet you are holy In you.
(01:46):
Our fathers trusted, theytrusted and you delivered them.
The memory of God's pastfaithfulness becomes an anchor
in the storm.
This is a powerful spiritualdiscipline.
When our present feels dark, werecall God's track record in
Scripture and in our own lives.
Reflection on His character anddeeds can steady our hearts
(02:07):
when emotions threaten tooverwhelm us.
For the believer, this trust isnot blind optimism, but a
confidence rooted in the historyof God's covenant love, the
depth of humility, the death ofhumiliation and suffering.
David's description of hissuffering verses 6-18, is vivid
(02:28):
and prophetic.
He is mocked, despised,physically broken and
emotionally crushed.
These verses foreshadow thecrucifixion of Christ in
astonishing detail the insults,the piercing of hands and feet,
the dividing of garments.
Here we see our Savior enteringfully into human suffering.
He knows the sting of rejection, the pain of injustice and the
(02:52):
loneliness of abandonment.
For those facing deep wounds,whether emotional, relational or
physical, psalm 22 assures usthat Jesus is no distant
observer.
He is the suffering servant whounderstands.
From plea to praise.
The turning point of this psalmcomes in verse 21.
You have rescued me.
(03:14):
The tone shifts fromdesperation to deliverance.
God has acted and the psalmistresponds with a vow to declare
his name in the congregationverse 22.
This movement of lament topraise is not denial of pain but
an acknowledgement of God'spower to redeem is not denial of
pain but an acknowledgement ofGod's power to redeem.
(03:35):
True worship often grows in thesoil of suffering.
We praise not only because Godrescued us, but because His
character is unchanging, whetherwe feel secure or surrounded.
The Global Vision of God'sSalvation In verses 27-31, the
psalm widens its scope.
The personal rescue of thepsalmist becomes the testimony
to the nations.
(03:55):
It says in verse 27,.
What begins as a solitary cryends with a global chorus.
This is the trajectory of thegospel.
Christ's suffering purchasedsalvation for people from every
tribe and tongue.
His cry for forsakennessbecomes the foundation of our
(04:20):
acceptance before God.
And now, as His people, we areinvited to join the worldwide
mission of declaring Hisgoodness.
Here are some of the doctrinaltruths to remember.
First, god welcomes honestlament.
Expressing pain before him isan act of faith.
Psalm 62.8 speaks to this aswell.
Number two remember that God'spast faithfulness strengthens
(04:42):
our present trust.
We see that in Lamentations3.21-23.
Number three Jesus fullyidentifies with our suffering,
having born it himself.
Hebrews, chapter four, verse 15.
Number four God's salvationoften turns private deliverance
(05:03):
into public testimony.
Second Corinthians, chapter one, verses three through four.
And then, finally, the gospelreach extends to all nations,
fulfilling God's global purpose.
Revelation, chapter 7, verses 9through 10.
Well, let's take that doctrineand let's make it practical,
practical theology, walking fromlament to praise.
(05:26):
Psalm 22 teaches us thatsuffering and praise are not
mutually exclusive.
You may feel abandoned, yetstill trust.
You may grieve deeply, yetstill hope.
The path from lament to praiseoften involves number one honest
expression of pain to God.
Number two recalling hischaracter and past works.
(05:47):
Number three holding fast tohope even before circumstances
change.
Number four allowing personaldeliverance to inspire public
witness.
If you are in the early versesof Psalm 22, take heart the God
who seemed silent to David didnot abandon him.
He will not abandon you either.
(06:09):
In Christ, the cries offorsakenness were answered with
the.
Let's reflect and respond.
First, I want you to considerthis when have you felt
abandoned by God and how did yourespond?
Next, how can remembering God'spast work help you endure
(06:30):
present trials?
3.
Which part of Psalm 22 mostclearly points you to Christ?
Next, how might your personaltestimony encourage someone
else's faith?
Next, what steps can you taketo move from lament to praise in
(06:53):
your current season?
And lastly, how does the globalvision of verses 27 to 31 shape
your prayers and priorities?
Well, let's pray.
Father, thank you for beingpresent even when we feel far
away.
Lord Jesus, thank you forentering fully into our
suffering and bearing our sin onthe cross.
(07:14):
Holy Spirit, please strengthenour faith when we are weary and
lift our voices in praise whenyou bring deliverance.
Teach us to trust you in thesilence and to proclaim your
goodness when you act.
In Jesus' name.
We pray Amen From lament tolasting praise.
If you are struggling today, Iwant you to remind yourself that
(07:37):
God hears, god sees and Goddoesn't abandon his children.
If you're looking for moresupport, consider joining our
free navigator level of ourLessons for Life community at
jameslongjrorg slash.
Sign up now.
Slash community for devotionalsmeetups and training that will
(07:58):
help you walk by faith, orexplore one of our full
memberships at jameslongjrorgslash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow emotionally,relationally and spiritually.
So remember, even when thenight feels long, your story is
not over.
(08:18):
The God who met David in hisforsakenness and raised Jesus
from the grave will lead youinto praise.
Well, thanks for being with usagain.
Look forward to having you nexttime.
Be blessed, take care.
Hey everyone, it's James Long.
Do me a favor and grab yourBible and a journal and turn to
Psalm 22.
Today, psalm 22 moves from thedepths of anguish to the height
of praise, offering hope tothose who feel abandoned or
overwhelmed.
It reminds us that honestlament can coexist with
unshakable faith, pointing us toChrist who suffered for us and
(00:23):
now leads his people in worship.
The psalm speaks to emotional,relational, mental and spiritual
struggles by assuring us thatGod's silence is never his
absence.
The first section we'll look attoday is the cry of
forsakenness and the choice totrust.
The opening words of Psalm 22are among the most haunting in
(00:44):
scripture my God, my God, whyhave you forsaken me?
Verse 1.
They carry the weight of deepabandonment, echoed centuries
later by Jesus on the cross.
This is not a complaint ofsomeone who is given up on God,
but one who clings to God in themidst of confusion and pain.
David's anguish is raw andunfiltered.
(01:05):
He feels unheard, forgotten andsurrounded by trouble.
His body is weakened, his soulcrushed and his enemies
relentless.
Yet even here, he addresses Godas my God.
Pain has not severed therelationship.
It has driven him to speak withurgency and honesty In seasons
when we feel forsaken.
(01:26):
Psalm 22 invites us to keepcrying out to the Lord.
Silence does not meanabandonment, and unanswered
questions are not the same asunanswered prayers.
Remembering God's pastfaithfulness In verses 3-5,
david pivots from lament toremembrance.
Yet you are holy In you.
(01:46):
Our fathers trusted, theytrusted and you delivered them.
The memory of God's pastfaithfulness becomes an anchor
in the storm.
This is a powerful spiritualdiscipline.
When our present feels dark, werecall God's track record in
Scripture and in our own lives.
Reflection on His character anddeeds can steady our hearts
(02:07):
when emotions threaten tooverwhelm us.
For the believer, this trust isnot blind optimism, but a
confidence rooted in the historyof God's covenant love, the
depth of humility, the death ofhumiliation and suffering.
David's description of hissuffering verses 6-18, is vivid
(02:28):
and prophetic.
He is mocked, despised,physically broken and
emotionally crushed.
These verses foreshadow thecrucifixion of Christ in
astonishing detail the insults,the piercing of hands and feet,
the dividing of garments.
Here we see our Savior enteringfully into human suffering.
He knows the sting of rejection, the pain of injustice and the
(02:52):
loneliness of abandonment.
For those facing deep wounds,whether emotional, relational or
physical, psalm 22 assures usthat Jesus is no distant
observer.
He is the suffering servant whounderstands.
From plea to praise.
The turning point of this psalmcomes in verse 21.
You have rescued me.
(03:14):
The tone shifts fromdesperation to deliverance.
God has acted and the psalmistresponds with a vow to declare
his name in the congregationverse 22.
This movement of lament topraise is not denial of pain but
an acknowledgement of God'spower to redeem is not denial of
pain but an acknowledgement ofGod's power to redeem.
(03:35):
True worship often grows in thesoil of suffering.
We praise not only because Godrescued us, but because His
character is unchanging, whetherwe feel secure or surrounded.
The Global Vision of God'sSalvation In verses 27-31, the
psalm widens its scope.
The personal rescue of thepsalmist becomes the testimony
to the nations.
(03:55):
It says in verse 27,.
What begins as a solitary cryends with a global chorus.
This is the trajectory of thegospel.
Christ's suffering purchasedsalvation for people from every
tribe and tongue.
His cry for forsakennessbecomes the foundation of our
(04:20):
acceptance before God.
And now, as His people, we areinvited to join the worldwide
mission of declaring Hisgoodness.
Here are some of the doctrinaltruths to remember.
First, god welcomes honestlament.
Expressing pain before him isan act of faith.
Psalm 62.8 speaks to this aswell.
Number two remember that God'spast faithfulness strengthens
(04:42):
our present trust.
We see that in Lamentations3.21-23.
Number three Jesus fullyidentifies with our suffering,
having born it himself.
Hebrews, chapter four, verse 15.
Number four God's salvationoften turns private deliverance
(05:03):
into public testimony.
Second Corinthians, chapter one, verses three through four.
And then, finally, the gospelreach extends to all nations,
fulfilling God's global purpose.
Revelation, chapter 7, verses 9through 10.
Well, let's take that doctrineand let's make it practical,
practical theology, walking fromlament to praise.
(05:26):
Psalm 22 teaches us thatsuffering and praise are not
mutually exclusive.
You may feel abandoned, yetstill trust.
You may grieve deeply, yetstill hope.
The path from lament to praiseoften involves number one honest
expression of pain to God.
Number two recalling hischaracter and past works.
(05:47):
Number three holding fast tohope even before circumstances
change.
Number four allowing personaldeliverance to inspire public
witness.
If you are in the early versesof Psalm 22, take heart the God
who seemed silent to David didnot abandon him.
He will not abandon you either.
(06:09):
In Christ, the cries offorsakenness were answered with
the.
Let's reflect and respond.
First, I want you to considerthis when have you felt
abandoned by God and how did yourespond?
Next, how can remembering God'spast work help you endure
(06:30):
present trials?
3.
Which part of Psalm 22 mostclearly points you to Christ?
Next, how might your personaltestimony encourage someone
else's faith?
Next, what steps can you taketo move from lament to praise in
(06:53):
your current season?
And lastly, how does the globalvision of verses 27 to 31 shape
your prayers and priorities?
Well, let's pray.
Father, thank you for beingpresent even when we feel far
away.
Lord Jesus, thank you forentering fully into our
suffering and bearing our sin onthe cross.
(07:14):
Holy Spirit, please strengthenour faith when we are weary and
lift our voices in praise whenyou bring deliverance.
Teach us to trust you in thesilence and to proclaim your
goodness when you act.
In Jesus' name.
We pray Amen From lament tolasting praise.
If you are struggling today, Iwant you to remind yourself that
(07:37):
God hears, god sees and Goddoesn't abandon his children.
If you're looking for moresupport, consider joining our
free navigator level of ourLessons for Life community at
jameslongjrorg slash.
Sign up now.
Slash community for devotionalsmeetups and training that will
(07:58):
help you walk by faith, orexplore one of our full
memberships at jameslongjrorgslash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow emotionally,relationally and spiritually.
So remember, even when thenight feels long, your story is
not over.
(08:18):
The God who met David in hisforsakenness and raised Jesus
from the grave will lead youinto praise.
Well, thanks for being with usagain.
Look forward to having you nexttime.
Be blessed, take care.
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