The Climb

A revelation of Psalms 22-24

By TJ Barber

Psalms 22 sets the tone for this unfolding revelation I have been unpacking for almost two years. Twenty-three prophecies from Psalms 22 were fulfilled when Jesus gave his life on the cross. It starts with cries of desperation of why and feeling forsaken but is turned to rejoicing by the psalm's end. He began to cry out without an answer from the Father and restlessness. He began to give adoration of holiness even when it was dark and proclaimed the throne was upon praise, not despair. The psalmist began to declare the word over a situation surrounded by principalities and those who have sold him out. He states his heart is like wax, and his hands and feet were pierced, signifying the devotion, loyalty, and confidence of being delivered from those surrounding him. 

“For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.”  Psalms 22:16

From despair to declarations of Generations serving him and telling the coming generation, the psalm that began from the depths of darkness comes to a place of declaration.

“They will come and will declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, 

that He has performed it.”  Psalms 22:31

The Lord is my shepherd. I don't want anything but you. This revelation shifted my perspective from Psalms 23 being a nursery rhyme and empty words into a place of authority and proper perspective. From Psalms 22, this whole text provides an understanding of what Yahweh did in 22. He lets me lie down/rest in places of plenty. He leads me by the still waters. The still waters are deep and take me to the deep places, the things done from the inward that touch the uncharted depths of my spirit, which only he knows is there. He has begun to lead me unto paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. He draws me into the right standing to carry his glory. The spirit of fear is broken off when the dark places show up. The rod and staff comfort you because you have been corrected and understand that those are things of correction. You can only get comfort from something if you know who wields them. The table is a symbol of communion, and your enemies have to be present before he can set the table and pour the oil out upon you. It's the overflow that goodness and mercy flow, not just filled up.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.”  Psalms 23:5

Psalm 24 is the entry into Zion, that everything is Yahweh’s. Then, the question is asked: who can ascend the hill? Psalms 22 is the key to opening the door identity of Psalms 23 on who is the deliverer, and then the rule for inheritance is clean hands and a pure heart. The generation is those who seek his face. The psalmist begins to prophesy and declares the gates and doors to open. Isaiah 22:22 The key of David opens and closes these things. 

“Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, when he opens no one will shut, when he shuts no one will open.”  Isaiah 22:22

The son of inheritance is who is given that key.  Inheritance is based on one thing: rightly identifying your father so you understand your inheritance. The goal is to purge all orphan mindsets and open the doors for the King of Glory to come in. 

“Who is the King of Glory?  The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.  Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the king of glory may come in!  Who is this King of Glory?  The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.”  Psalms 24:7-10

If you're in any of these situations, praise God, for you are loved and able to ascend the hill to lock eyes with the man whose eyes are a flame of fire, whose hair is like wool, and whose voice is the voice of many waters where the fire is upon the sea of glass. May we be found face down with crowns on the ground when we have seen ourselves as he sees us! 

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.  For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”  Revelation 4:11