O’ the wonder of the Twenty-Second Psalm. That it is Jesus’ song is evident from the very first line, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” The opening lyric of the song is that “sung” by the Lamb of God upon the cross (Matt. 27:46). As such, you can’t help but walk through Psalm 22 as though treading on holy ground as you are invited to experience, up close and personal, the suffering of the Messiah.

But though there is a dark cloud over much of the psalm, just as darkness hung over the cross that day, at its foundation is a message of deliverance, hope, and victory.

The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!   (Psalm 22:26 ESV)

Where does that come from? Amidst the mocking and scorn . . . amidst ravenous attacks of the surrounding bulls of Bashan . . . amidst being poured out like water, heart becoming like wax, strength dried up like a fragile earthen vessel . . . amidst the pierced hands and feet . . . how can there be a hope of feasting and eating until the soul is filled? What, in the midst of this, could possibly lead to such joyful praise?

Short answer: kingship. Royal power. The right to have dominion. That the kingdom belongs to the One who suffered.

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and He rules over the nations.   (Psalm 22:27-28 ESV)

Add that to your list of universal, eternal, and eventually to be recognized by everyone, truths. Kingship belongs to the LORD.

He rules over the nations. Always has, always will.

The amazing thing though, is the lengths to which the King would go to secure for Himself loyal subjects. That He would humble Himself, divesting Himself of His royal garments, for a time, that He might come among us as one of us. That He would humble Himself and take upon Himself the fullness of our experience . . . yet without sin. That He would humble Himself to the point of death, even death on a cross. And that He would do this to tear down the barrier preventing entrance into His presence, the debt owed because of our sin and transgression. In His own body, He bore the penalty for our disobedience. In His flesh, abused at the hands of His creation, He was forsaken of the Father, that He might pay the wages of our sin, satisfying the just demands of a holy God.

Nevertheless, all the while, kingship belongs to the LORD.

He ruled then, even in His humility. He rules now in the hearts of men and women who are willingly submitted to His authority by faith. And, one day, He will rule such that all the ends of the earth shall know Him . . . and turn to Him . . . and worship before Him.

O’ what a King! O’ what a Savior! To Him be all glory . . .