As in many of David’s psalms we do not know the specific occasion in his  life that prompted this intensely emotional and personal lament. We do know that it is indeed a prophetic text describing both the anguish and victory of Israel’s Messiah-King upon the cross. The message of this Psalm provides us with hope and even joy in times of suffering, and exhorts us to declare the good news of God’s salvation through the cross of Christ.