Editorial journey
The psalm Christ prayed on the cross, and the four places the New Testament takes up its words. Psalm 21 in the Greek Psalter.
Written by HonestApologist's editors. The labels below are our own reading, checked against the Bible texts on this site; they are not part of the cross-reference dataset. Scripture in the notes and steps: King James Version (with Apocrypha). Old Testament steps can also be read in the Septuagint.
The psalm opens with a cry of abandonment. In the Greek Psalter read in the Orthodox Church this is Psalm 21, and these words are verse 2, because the title is counted as verse 1.
1 To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [why art thou so] far from helping me, [and from] the words of my roaring?
2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Explore connections from here · Read in the Septuagint (Brenton)
Quotation The later text quotes the earlier one, often saying so ("that the scripture might be fulfilled"). Connects to step 1
On the cross Jesus prays the first words of this psalm, and St Matthew gives their meaning.
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken meMy God, my God, why hast thou forsaken meAlso in the cross-reference dataset (83 votes).
Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1
The sufferer is mocked: "He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him."
7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying],
8 He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
Not listed in the cross-reference dataset.
Explore connections from here · Read in the Septuagint (Brenton) · Read beside step 1
Shared wording The later text repeats distinctive words of the earlier one. Both wordings are shown below. Connects to step 3
At the cross the passers-by wag their heads and the chief priests repeat the psalm's taunt: "He trusted in God; let him deliver him now."
39 ¶ And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said,
42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.
let him deliver himlet him deliver him nowAlso in the cross-reference dataset (23 votes).
Shared wording The later text repeats distinctive words of the earlier one. Both wordings are shown below. Connects to step 4
The Wisdom of Solomon, read with the Old Testament in the Orthodox Church, describes the ungodly testing a righteous man: "if the just man be the son of God, he will help him." Matthew 27:43 ends on the same thought. The cross-reference dataset has no data for this book, so this link appears only in our editorial journey.
17 Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him.
18 For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies.
19 Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience.
20 Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected.
if the just man be the son of God, he will help himI am the Son of GodThe cross-reference dataset has no data for this book.
Explore connections from here · Read in the Septuagint (Brenton) · Read beside step 4
Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1
"They pierced my hands and my feet." This is the reading of the Greek Psalter (ōryxan, ‘they dug’ or ‘pierced’), which the Church prays. The traditional Hebrew text reads ‘like a lion’ at this point.
16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
17 I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.
“For when they crucified Him, driving in the nails, they pierced His hands and feet”
St Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 97. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (tr. Marcus Dods and George Reith), via New Advent. Read the source
Also in the cross-reference dataset (14 votes).
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Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1
"They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."
18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Not listed in the cross-reference dataset.
Explore connections from here · Read in the Septuagint (Brenton) · Read beside step 1
Quotation The later text quotes the earlier one, often saying so ("that the scripture might be fulfilled"). Connects to step 7
The soldiers cast lots for Christ's tunic, "that the scripture might be fulfilled", and St John quotes the psalm.
23 ¶ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also [his] coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among themcast lots upon my vestureAlso in the cross-reference dataset (60 votes).
Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1
The lament turns to praise: "I will declare thy name unto my brethren."
22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23 Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
Also in the cross-reference dataset (5 votes).
Explore connections from here · Read in the Septuagint (Brenton) · Read beside step 1
Quotation The later text quotes the earlier one, often saying so ("that the scripture might be fulfilled"). Connects to step 9
The Epistle to the Hebrews places these words of the psalm on the lips of Christ, who "is not ashamed to call them brethren".
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
I will declare thy name unto my brethrenI will declare thy name unto my brethrenAlso in the cross-reference dataset (39 votes).
Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1
The psalm that began in abandonment ends with all the ends of the earth turning to the Lord.
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28 For the kingdom [is] the LORD’s: and he [is] the governor among the nations.
29 All [they that be] fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done [this].
Not listed in the cross-reference dataset.
Explore connections from here · Read in the Septuagint (Brenton) · Read beside step 1