Ps. 22: Distance

Psalm 22:29 "All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him— those who cannot keep themselves alive."

This chapter has a completely different mood or well of inspiration than the previous couple, where victories are celebrated. What is described here is that the narrator appears to be back in the clutches of duress. Things are bad again. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" A question that could only be asked with a heart of deep sorrow and fear and abandonment. Here even David's crying out goes unanswered. Where earlier, David speaks about how God hears his cries, here apparently they go unreplied. But David, like Job, continues to view God as savior and vindicator...the ultimate power.

David, after having been close to God his entire life feels somehow distant. Knowing the closeness David had with God, this must have been agony for David. All of David's strength comes from God. All of David's chips are in God. 

He describes pretty horrifically this separation from God. Torn flesh, pierced hands and pierced feet, heart that has turned to wax and melted within, disjointed and visible bones, and folks casting lots for his clothing. He must be an important person for people to want his clothing. Yet still David praises God and encourages others to do the same.