Psalms 22:19
“But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me.”
Context:Psalm 22 begins with the famous words, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” These very words were uttered by Jesus on the cross as He bore the weight of humanity’s sin. The psalm goes on to describe the suffering and agony the speaker endures. It prophetically foreshadows the suffering of Christ, including the piercing of His hands and feet and the casting of lots for His garments.
A plea for God’s presence:In verse 19, the psalmist pleads for God not to be far from him. This cry reveals a deep longing for communion with God. The psalmist recognises that true strength and help come from the Lord alone. The request is an acknowledgment of the psalmist’s dependence on God’s presence and power.
Trusting in God’s intervention:The phrase “O my strength, haste thee to help me” reflects the psalmist’s faith in God’s ability to provide assistance swiftly. It demonstrates an urgent and desperate plea for divine intervention. The psalmist is confident that God, being their source of strength, will come to their aid and rescue them from their distress.
Messianic significance:While this psalm expresses the personal anguish of the psalmist, it also carries profound Messianic implications. As Christians, we see a deeper layer of meaning in this verse when we consider its association with Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus experienced the ultimate abandonment as He bore the sins of humanity, which is why He cried out with the opening line of this psalm. The psalmist’s plea for God’s presence and help echoes Jesus’ dependence on the Father during His crucifixion.
Application for believers:As believers, we can draw inspiration from this verse by recognising our need for God’s presence and help in our own lives. Just as the psalmist called out to God in distress, we can turn to Him in our moments of trouble, knowing that He is our source of strength. God promises to be with us always, and He is ready to come to our aid when we call upon Him.
