Psalm 22 English Standard Version

Why Have You Forsaken Me?

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.

This is the preface to the 22nd Psalm. Let us think about this preface.

The first emotion expressed is one of forsakenness. For an emotional appeal to work, it should be personalized. Our instincts are ones of self-preservation. “This is about me.” Whatever happened to someone else, we can relate to the emotional turmoil.

The instruction to the choirmaster is to play this psalm according to the Doe of the Dawn. What instruments and melodies for “The Doe of the Dawn” are lost in history. There are no accompanying score sheets for that piece of music.

If we were to write a musical score for this psalm, it would be one that struck an emotional cord where the words themselves inspire the music. At the time of the original score there was no basis upon which we now draw our emotions. Looking into the majority of opinions about that work, many have declared Jesus Christ is “The Doe of the Dawn”. Since Christ had not yet been born they acknowledge a possibility that this whole work is prophetic in design.

Even if we decide that Psalm 22 is prophetic in design, that does not remove the emotional appeal that carries us into familiar personal history. We can still relate because we suffer as Christ suffered and He suffered for our sake. It is relatable.

One might address this piece of music as a melancholy song. It is meant to forster deep emotional connections with the subject of the song.

Like any good melancholy song, hope must be granted. Perhaps for this musical piece the last line expresses it the best.

31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.