Why is understanding Psalm 22 important for interpreting Psalm 23?

Psalm 22 is often viewed as 'the psalm of the cross,' where the suffering of Christ is vividly portrayed with phrases such as, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' (Psalm 22:1). This context is crucial for understanding the subsequent comfort found in Psalm 23. The depth of what it means for the Lord to be our shepherd, as proclaimed in Psalm 23, is rooted in the understanding of the cost of that relationship. The shepherd purchased His sheep with His own blood, which brings us the assurance 'I shall not want.' Without the backdrop of Christ's suffering, the comfort of His shepherding would not be fully realized.