Psalm 22 21

Psalm 22:21 kjv

Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

Psalm 22:21 nkjv

Save Me from the lion's mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me.

Psalm 22:21 niv

Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen.

Psalm 22:21 esv

Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

Psalm 22:21 nlt

Snatch me from the lion's jaws
and from the horns of these wild oxen.

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 21 Meaning

Psalm 22:21 is a cry for desperate deliverance, immediately followed by an affirmation of God's saving power. The Psalmist pleads to be rescued from overwhelming and deadly forces, represented by the predatory "lion's mouth" and the crushing strength of "wild oxen." The verse's climax, "you answer me" (or "you have answered me"), marks a profound transition from intense lament and perceived abandonment to an expression of certain hope, faith, or even a triumphant acknowledgment of God's prior or guaranteed rescue. It reflects a shift from deep agony to a confident trust in divine intervention.

Psalm 22 21 Context

Psalm 22 is a profound lament that transitions into a psalm of thanksgiving and praise. The initial verses (Ps 22:1-18) depict intense suffering, betrayal, and deep agony, mirroring the experience of crucifixion foretold in stunning detail (pierced hands and feet, division of garments). The Psalmist feels forsaken by God and surrounded by mocking, predatory enemies described as bulls, lions, and dogs.

Verse 21 is a pivotal moment within the Psalm. It immediately follows an urgent plea for rescue (Ps 22:19-20). The abrupt shift to "you answer me" often interpreted as "you have answered me" or "you will certainly answer me," signals a turning point from despair to triumphant faith and anticipated (or actual) deliverance. This is key to the entire psalm's trajectory, moving from the depth of human suffering to the ultimate praise of God, foreseeing not just the suffering of Christ but also His resurrection and exaltation (Ps 22:22-31). Historically, this psalm reflects the experience of David, facing formidable enemies, but its primary prophetic fulfillment points directly to Jesus the Messiah's suffering on the cross and subsequent vindication.

Psalm 22 21 Word Analysis

• Save me / Deliver my soul: (Hebrew: yeshu'eni, יְשֻׁעֵנִי, derived from root yasha - to save, deliver, help). This is a desperate plea for comprehensive rescue. It implies more than mere escape; it is a full, encompassing salvation from peril, reflecting profound need. It points to ultimate deliverance from death.

• from the lion's mouth: (Hebrew: mi-ppi 'aryeh, מִפִּי אַרְיֵה).

  • Lion ('aryeh, אַרְיֵה): The king of beasts, symbolizing extreme strength, ferocity, cunning, and predatory destruction. In biblical context, it frequently represents powerful, cruel, and devouring enemies—whether human adversaries or spiritual foes (e.g., the devil in 1 Pet 5:8).
  • Mouth (peh, פֶּה): Emphasizes the imminent and complete devouring, suggesting that the Psalmist is already within the jaws of death, on the verge of being consumed. It highlights the direct, terrifying threat of annihilation.

• from the horns: (Hebrew: u-miqqarnei, וּמִקַּרְנֵי).

  • Horns (qeren, קֶרֶן): Symbolize strength, power, aggression, and often destructive force in ancient cultures and the Bible. Animals fight with their horns. Here, they represent aggressive, piercing, or goring attack—a threat of brutal, overwhelming force. The imagery indicates an enemy capable of trampling and piercing.

• of the wild oxen: (Hebrew: remim, רֵמִים).

  • Wild Ox (re'em, רְאֵם, plural remim): Refers to a formidable, powerful, and untamable bovine animal, likely the aurochs. These beasts were known for their immense strength, aggression, and untameable nature. Using the plural remim amplifies the sense of multiple, relentless, and brutally powerful enemies that cannot be controlled or escaped by human might. This image depicts a threat of being gored or crushed to death.

• you answer me / you have answered me: (Hebrew: 'anitani, עֲנִיתָנִי, from the root 'anah - to answer, respond, but often implies to respond effectively or to deliver).

  • This is the pivotal phrase. The Hebrew verb is in the perfect tense, which typically denotes a completed action in the past or a definite, certain future outcome viewed as accomplished.
  • It's a declaration of faith or a direct acknowledgment of past (or assured future) divine intervention, even amidst present distress. It means God has not just heard the prayer, but has responded to it with deliverance, transforming the plea into an affirmation of salvation. For Christ, this signifies the Father's vindication and resurrection from death.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Save me from the lion's mouth; from the horns of the wild oxen": This entire phrase serves as a vivid double metaphor for extreme, mortal danger. It conveys being besieged by enemies who are not merely powerful but also predatory, savage, and capable of utterly destroying life. It encapsulates the peak of the Psalmist's suffering and vulnerability before an overwhelmingly strong and cruel foe. The progression from the single, cunning lion to the collective, brute force of the wild oxen suggests an escalation or diversification of threat.

• "Save me... you answer me": The dramatic juxtaposition of desperate prayer ("Save me") and assured declaration ("you answer me") within the same verse is astounding. It represents the transformation from anguish to hope, typical of psalms of lament. For the believer, it shows the power of faith to acknowledge God's deliverance even when it is not fully manifest. For the Messiah, it foreshadows His certain triumph over death, through the Father's resurrection power. The prayer itself becomes a testament to God's faithfulness in delivering His suffering servant.

Psalm 22 21 Bonus section

The Hebrew perfect tense 'anitani (עֲנִיתָנִי) is highly significant. While some older translations render it as "thou wilt hear me," most modern translations (ESV, NASB, NIV, HCSB) render it as "you have answered/rescued me." This "perfect of certainty" suggests that the answer is already as good as done, or that the Psalmist reflects on God's nature and past acts of salvation as a guarantee for the present situation. This profound faith statement or declaration of certainty turns the preceding lament into a foretaste of future victory, profoundly anticipating the triumph of the suffering Messiah over the powers of death and hell through His resurrection. This verse functions as the abrupt hinge upon which the Psalm pivots from a description of utter desolation (Ps 22:1-21a) to one of confident expectation, praise, and universal dominion (Ps 22:21b-31). The deliverance requested is thus understood as assured, highlighting the efficacy of the suffering Messiah's prayer.

Psalm 22 21 Commentary

Psalm 22:21 encapsulates the very essence of desperate prayer for deliverance combined with unwavering trust in God. The graphic imagery of the lion's mouth and wild oxen horns powerfully communicates the Psalmist's perceived mortal danger, whether from human persecutors, spiritual adversaries, or the literal threat of death. These are forces of utter destruction, capable of devouring and trampling.

However, the concluding phrase, "you answer me," marks a critical turning point not only in this verse but in the entire psalm. It implies that despite the depths of suffering, there is a conviction—or a divine assurance—that God has heard and will effectively respond. This is not mere passive listening but active, delivering intervention. In the context of the Messianic Psalm 22, this turn signifies God the Father's response to the agonizing prayers of Christ on the cross. While He seemed utterly forsaken (Ps 22:1), this verse points to the Father's ultimate vindication of the Son through the resurrection, rescuing Him from the very jaws of death, symbolized by these beastly enemies. The suffering servant who cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" is also the one who is heard and delivered.

This verse offers solace and instruction to all believers. It teaches that even in the face of overwhelming odds and seemingly insurmountable threats—whether personal trials, spiritual attacks, or societal oppression—one can appeal to God for rescue. More profoundly, it reveals that God hears the cries of His suffering children and brings forth deliverance, often in ways that defy human expectation, mirroring Christ's own triumph over the grave.

Examples:

• When facing a seemingly unbeatable challenge, crying out to God and trusting His track record of delivering.
• In times of intense spiritual warfare, affirming God's power to defeat the roaring lion (the devil).
• Remembering that God answers prayers for deliverance from death's power, as He did with Christ's resurrection.