Bible Commentary

Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round. 12. He compares his insolent enemies to wanton bulls, which “are in the habit of gathering in a circle round any novel or unaccustomed object, and may easily be irritated into charging with their horns” (Tristram, Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:12”

Be not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help. 11. Be not far from me ] The expostulation of Psa 22:1 is turned into a prayer, again repeated in Psa 22:19. He urges his plea on the double ground that while Jehovah still stands afar off in seeming indifference, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:11”

I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother’s belly. 10. Upon thee have I been cast &c. Upon thee stands first emphatically. Cp. Psa 22:4-5. To THY care have I been entrusted from my birth. Cp. Psa 55:22; Psa 71:6. There does not seem to be any reference … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:10”

But thou [art] he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother’s breasts. 9. But thou art he ] Rather, Yea, thou art he. The mocking words of his enemies are true, and he turns them into a plea. All his past life has proved … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:9”

He trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 8. ‘Roll it upon Jehovah! let him deliver him: Let him rescue him, for he delighteth in him.’ Ironically they bid the sufferer ‘roll’ i.e. commit his cause to Jehovah. The verb is certainly imperative, as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:8”

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying], 7. laugh me to scorn ] LXX. , the word used by St Luke (Luk 23:35) of the rulers scoffing at Christ. They gape with their lips (Job 16:10; Psa 35:21); they shake the head (Psa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:7”

But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 6. a worm ] Trampled under foot, despised, defenceless. Almost every word of this verse finds a parallel in the second part of Isaiah. Jehovah’s servant Israel is there called a worm (Isa 41:14); and the ideal representative … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:6”

They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. They cried unto thee – They offered earnest prayer and supplication. And were delivered – From dangers and trials. They trusted in thee, and were not confounded – They were not disappointed. Literally, they were not ashamed. That is, they … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:5”

Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 4, 5. The thought of the preceding line is developed in an appeal to the past history of the nation. Cp. Psa 44:1, Psa 78:3, Psa 9:10. ‘Thou didst deliver them: why then am I deserted?’ The emphasis is throughout on thee. In … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:4”

But thou [art] holy, [O thou] that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 3. An appeal to God’s moral character, as the Holy One of Israel. The Heb. word for holy is derived from a root signifying separation. It characterises God negatively, as separate from the limitations and imperfections of the world and man; and positively, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 22:3”