The Sovereignty of God in Psalm 22
Psalm 22, often recognized for its profound messianic prophecies, also articulates the sovereignty of God, particularly in its latter half [4, 5]. The psalm begins with a cry of dereliction, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1, ESV), but transitions to a declaration of God's universal reign and redemptive purpose [4].
The psalm's literary context moves from intense suffering and lament (vv. 1-21) to praise and a vision of God's global dominion (vv. 22-31) [9]. This shift highlights God's ultimate control even in the midst of profound distress. The psalmist declares, "I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you" (Psalm 22:22, ESV) [1]. This verse is notably quoted in Hebrews 2:12 and applied to Jesus, emphasizing His solidarity with humanity in praising God [3, 5, 9].
The theme of God's sovereignty becomes explicit in verses such as Psalm 22:28: "For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations" (ESV). This verse underscores that God alone possesses universal authority [7]. The concept of God's rule is not limited to Israel but extends to all peoples, indicating a global scope for His dominion [6]. The psalm anticipates a future where "all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you" (Psalm 22:27, ESV). This vision includes both the rich and the poor, the living and future generations, all acknowledging God's delivering power [6].
The enduring impact of God's sovereignty is further expressed in Psalm 22:30: "Posterity shall serve him. Future generations shall be told about the Lord" (ESV) [2]. This suggests that God's rule and redemptive acts will be proclaimed throughout history, ensuring that His glory is recognized by successive generations [6]. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, speaks to the idea of God's supreme sovereignty, noting that His profound judgments, which transcend human understanding, should not be subjected to human calculation [8]. This aligns with the psalm's portrayal of a God whose rule is absolute and whose plans unfold across time and nations.
Sources
- Psalms “I will declare your name to my brothers. In the midst of the assembly, I will praise you. -- Psalms 22:22”
- Psalms “Posterity shall serve him. Future generations shall be told about the Lord. -- Psalms 22:30”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Heb.2.12 → Ps.22.22 (confidence: 31 votes)”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 22 (introduction): The Spirit of Christ, which was in the prophets, testifies in this psalm, as clearly and fully as any where in all the Old Testament, "the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow" (Pe1 1:11); of him, no doubt, David here speaks, and not of himself, or any other man. Much of it is expressly applied to Christ in the New Testament, all of it may be applied to him, and some of it must be understood of him only. The providences of God concerning David were so very extraordinary that we may suppose there were some wise and good men who then co”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 2:12: 2:12 This verse quotes Ps 22:22, commenting on the phrase brothers and sisters in Heb 2:11. Psalm 22 contains profound messianic prophecies concerning the sufferings of Christ (Ps 22:1, 7-8, 16-18; see Matt 27:35, 43; John 19:23-24, 31-36). Psalm 22:22 shows the solidarity of the righteous sufferer (Jesus) with the people of God in praising God for his help.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 22:27: His case illustrates God's righteous government. Beyond the existing time and people, others shall be brought to acknowledge and worship God; the fat ones, or the rich as well as the poor, the helpless who cannot keep themselves alive, shall together unite in celebrating God's delivering power, and transmit to unborn people the records of His grace.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 22:28: 22:28 The universal kingdom belongs to God alone (Obad 1:21).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 78: he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,” ( Rom. 9:22, 23 ). Let my readers observe that Paul, to cut off all handle for murmuring and detraction, attributes supreme sovereignty to the wrath and power of God; for it were unjust that those profound judgments, which transcend all our powers of discernment, should be subjected to our calculation. It is frivolous in our opponents to reply, that God does not altogether reject those whom in levity he tolerates, but remai”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 22:22: 22:22-24 The psalmist praises the Lord and calls for the godly to join him. He tells of God’s goodness to the needy, including himself. 22:22 I will proclaim your name: The writer to the Hebrews ascribes these words to Jesus (Heb 2:12). • my brothers and sisters: Literally my brothers. In the New Testament quotation, the Greek translation picks up the broader meaning as “my brothers and sisters.””