If there has ever been a passage of scripture to be described as an emotional roller coaster, it’s Psalm 22. It begins in anguish and ends in worship. The suffering within its pages isn’t some ethereal metaphor, it’s very real and felt pain. Yet, somehow, someway, by the end of the Psalm, the horizon widens and the sun breaks until all the nations come into focused view.

This is the pattern of repeated biblical hope. A cry from the depths of a tortured soul finds its way to the ears of God, who responds in faithfulness and this response is transformed into praise by His people. Then, as in the past, this praise moves beyond the borders of Israel, the nations also remember the goodness of God, and the families of the earth bow before the Lord.
 
This stunning response to suffering seems out of place in our modern world, but the pain of the righteous sufferer becomes a part of the larger story of worship, rescue, and restoration. Psalm 22 teaches us God is able to bring praise out of places that once seemed desolate and abandoned.
 
For you and me this Psalm carries a deep and important weight. Jesus Himself took on the opening cry of Psalm 22 while He hung on the cross crying “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” He fully entered the anguish of this Psalm, yet its end also reminds us that the cross wasn’t actually a moment of defeat, but of triumph. The suffering of the Servant would, and has, brought worship to the nations. The restoration promised through Agraham, sung by the Psalms, and announced by the prophets moves forward through our crucified King.
 
So, once again, we end the week with worship. Not because the suffering is small, or even over, but because God’s redeeming purpose is greater than our pain. Our wounds aren’t imaginary, but by His wounds we are healed. Our lament isn’t unfaithful, it has actually become praise in the Hands of the Lord.
 
The cry of the prophets lead us to this place: Hope through suffering, restoration through the Servant, and worship among the nations. What a glorious picture of redemption.

Where do you need to bring honest lament before God instead of hiding it or rushing past it? How does Psalm 22 help you worship with hope even before every sorrow is resolved?

Father, there are days when all I have left is lament and sorrow. Receive my cries and lead my heart to worship. Forgive me for when I’ve demanded healing and rescue before I allowed my heart to praise you. Thank you for the suffering of Jesus which brings hope that reaches not only my weary soul, but to all the nations. Amen.