Псалом 22

The psalm could have been written on the same occasion as Psalm IV, i.e. during the flight from Absalom from Jerusalem, when Sovi, Machir and Barzillai, in view of Absalom’s troops, brought food for David and his companions (see Ps. 23:5, cf. Ps. 4:8). There is an indirect hint here that David feels some guilt before the Lord (Ps. 22:3). And we pointed out that in most of the psalms originating from the time of Absalom’s persecution, David either directly or indirectly expressed the awareness of his guilt before God. The Lord is my shepherd, who gives me rest and protects me even in the valley of death (1–4). He prepared a meal for me before my enemies, and showed me mercy, which may protect me all the days of my life (5-6). Ps.22:1. The Lord is my Shepherd; I won't need anything: “The Lord is my shepherd” is the main idea of the psalm, revealed in detail throughout its entire content. Like a shepherd, the Lord protects and nourishes David. Ps.22:2. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters, “Green pastures” are meadows covered with rich grass, into which shepherds drive their flocks. “Quiet waters”, calm, not violently flowing, formed from heavy rains, which then quickly dry up, and springs that do not dry up, always flowing and delivering water. Ps.22:3. strengthens my soul, guides me on the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. “Reinforces the soul” - with his care for David, the Lord strengthens him, “my soul” - Hebraism - “me”. - “Guides me on the paths of righteousness” - with various facts from life or revelations of one’s will through the prophets, indicates, in case of deviations, the true path of life. So, for example, it happened after the crime with Bathsheba, which the prophet Nathan exposed. – “For His name’s sake” is an expression often repeated in the Psalms and in the Bible in general. It means that the Lord, who is holy and has no shortcomings in himself, also demands from his slaves - people of moral purity, which is why he “directs... on the paths of righteousness” so that man, as a slave and son of God, does not humiliate his Master and Father God with his unworthiness. Ps.22:4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff - they calm me. “The Valley of the Shadow of Death” is a valley full of dangers to life from possible attacks from enemies. This is the valley where he was at this time, full of dangers from the proximity of enemies. David believes that the Lord will save him from mortal dangers. – “The Rod and Your Staff” are the tools with which shepherds protect their flocks from predatory animals. The Lord protects me with His strength, like a shepherd with a staff. Ps.22:5. Thou hast prepared a table before me in the sight of my enemies; anointed my head with oil; my cup is overflowing. “I anointed my head with oil,” thanks to the help sent, I experience a joyful mood, an outward sign of which in the East was the anointing of the head with oil. You might be interested in: