Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 22:4

"Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted, and thou didst deliver them." — Psalms 22:4 (ASV)

Our fathers trusted in thee - This is a plea of the sufferer, drawn from the character God had manifested in former times. The argument is that God had interposed in those times when His people in trouble had called upon Him; and the sufferer now pleads with God that He would manifest Himself to him in the same way. The argument also derives additional force from the idea that the one who now pleads was descended from them, or was of the same nation and people, and that he might call them his ancestors.

As applicable to the Redeemer, the argument is that He was descended from those holy and suffering men who had trusted in God, and on whose behalf God had so often interposed. He identifies Himself with that people; He regards Himself as one of their number. He also mentions God’s merciful interposition on their behalf, and the fact that He had not forsaken them in their troubles, as a reason why He should now interpose on His behalf and save Him.

As applicable to others, it is an argument that the people of God may always use in their trials: God has thus interposed on behalf of His people of former times who trusted in Him and who called upon Him.

God is always the same. We may strengthen our faith in our trials by the assurance that He never changes; and, in pleading with Him, we may urge it as an argument that He has often interposed when the tried and afflicted of His people have called upon Him.

They trusted, and thou didst deliver them - They confided in You; they called on You; You did not spurn their prayer; You did not forsake them.