Psalms 22:12-17

12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me.

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.

15 My mouth^[a] is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce^[b] my hands and my feet.

17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.

Psalms 22:12-17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 22:12-17 In-Context

10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been my God.

11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

12 Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

13 Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me.

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me.

15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.

17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.

18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

19 But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 68:30
• 2. Psalms 17:9; Psalms 27:6; Psalms 49:5; Psalms 109:3; Psalms 140:9
• 3. Deuteronomy 32:14; Isaiah 2:13; Ezekiel 27:6; Ezekiel 39:18; Amos 4:1
• 4. ver 21; Ezekiel 22:25; Zephaniah 3:3; Psalms 17:12
• 5. S Genesis 49:9
• 6. Lamentations 3:46; Psalms 35:21
• 7. S Psalms 6:2; Psalms 31:10
• 8. Job 23:16; Psalms 68:2; Psalms 97:5; Micah 1:4
• 9. Joshua 7:5; Job 30:16; Psalms 107:26; Daniel 5:6
• 10. Isaiah 45:9
• 11. Psalms 38:10; Psalms 137:6; Lamentations 4:4; Ezekiel 3:26; John 19:28
• 12. S Job 7:21; Psalms 104:29
• 13. Philippians 3:2; Psalms 59:6
• 14. Isaiah 51:9; Isaiah 53:5; Zechariah 12:10; John 19:34; John 20:25
• 15. Luke 23:35
• 16. Psalms 25:2; Psalms 30:1; Psalms 35:19; Psalms 38:16; Lamentations 2:17; Micah 7:8; Luke 23:27

Footnotes

• [a]. Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; Masoretic Text "strength"
• [b]. Dead Sea Scrolls and some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Septuagint and Syriac; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text "me," / "like a lion"