Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 22:1

Eastern Fathers

Cosmas Indicopleustes

Is that psalm then speaking of him where it says: Far from my safety, the words of my transgressions? No—that is out of harmony and at variance with divine scripture, and to cite such a passage as referring to Christ would be clear madness.

The Christian Topography, Book 5 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"O God, my God, look upon me, why have You forsaken me far from my salvation?" [Psalm 22:1]. Far removed from my salvation: for "salvation is far from sinners." "The words of my sins." For these are not the words of righteousness, but of my sins. For it is the old man nailed to the Cross that speaks, ignorant even of the reason why God has forsaken him: or else it may be thus, The words of my sins are far from my salvation.

Exposition on Psalm 22 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

Seeing, then, that he took on himself a soul he also took the affections of a soul, for God could not have been distressed or have died in respect of his being God.… As being man, therefore, he speaks, bearing with him my terrors, for when we are in the midst of dangers we think ourself abandoned by God. As man, therefore, he is distressed, as man he weeps, as man he is crucified.

Exposition of the Christian Faith 2.7.56 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

In the preceding psalms, the tribulation that David endured from his son and from Saul seems to have been treated first; but here, in the third decade, the persecution he suffered from the entire people is addressed, who rejected him at Saul's command. This Psalm is therefore divided into three parts. In the first, the tribulation is narrated. In the second, a prayer is poured out to God for deliverance; in the third, a thanksgiving is offered. The second begins at Ps. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗