Scholarly Reflections
Daniélou, Jean, S.J. "Chapter Eleven: Psalm XXII." The Bible and the Liturgy." Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1956, pp. 177-190.
Daniélou notes that Psalm 22 is alluded to a great deal in ancient catechesis (Daniélou 1956, 177). I observe that the references he then uses to illustrate are drawn from Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd") rather than 22 ("My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me"). The statements refer to a table set before us and an anointing with oil. Cyril of Jerusalem considers the Psalm to be related to Christian initiation. Of some interest is the fact that Cyril seems to assume the catechumen would be familiar with the text already, so would only need it to be explained. Ambrose and others made the same assumption (Daniélou 1956, 178). The texts appear to have been sung as part of the liturgy, and would be well known. However, in Daniélou's view, the meaning of the Psalm and other passages would not be explained until the time of baptism (Daniélou 1956, 179).
Not only did the Fathers see the Psalm as a narrative of the events of baptism and eucharist, but they also made a typological interpretation of the Psalm (Daniélou 1956, 180). For instance, the green pastures would represent feeding on the Word of God. Danielou reviews the allegorical typological interpetations in some detail. A recurring theme is reference to the chalice as "inebriating." Daniélou notes that "the inebriation given by the Euchrastic wine is a 'sober inebriation,' and we know that this is a traditional expression for denoting mystical states, found for the first time in Philo" (Daniélou 1956, 184). The Fathers suggest a spiritual satisfaction and wisdom received in the wine of the chalice.
Daniélou observes that the image of the green pastures is closely related to "the baptized as being sheep branded with the mark of Christ" (Daniélou 1956, 186). As early as Origen we have imagery of shepherds, pastors, people who are faithfully kept, and those who are the prey of the bad shepherds. The good shepherd thus becomes the subject of much artwork from early Christianity (Daniélou 1956, 187).
Daniélou concludes that the material in Psalm 22 provides a fitting and meaningful summary of the Christian life in Word and Sacraments.