Psalm 22 7

Psalm 22:7 kjv

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

Psalm 22:7 nkjv

All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

Psalm 22:7 niv

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.

Psalm 22:7 esv

All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

Psalm 22:7 nlt

Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 7 Meaning

Psalm 22:7 vividly portrays the intense public humiliation and profound contempt directed at the suffering individual. It describes various actions of scorn, derision, and malicious pleasure exhibited by onlookers. The verse conveys a scene of total public mockery, highlighting both verbal abuse and significant non-verbal gestures of extreme disdain.

Psalm 22 7 Context

Psalm 22 is a profound lament psalm, often called a messianic psalm due to its strikingly specific prophecies regarding the suffering and triumph of the Messiah. Attributed to David, it transitions from a cry of dereliction and intense suffering (vv. 1-21) to a declaration of praise and trust in God (vv. 22-31). Verse 7 falls within the opening section where the psalmist, identifying with deep agony, vividly describes his experience of profound public scorn and social ostracism. This passage captures the psychological torment of being ridiculed by everyone, illustrating a level of contempt that extends beyond mere verbal abuse to deeply humiliating physical gestures. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, public shame and mockery were potent forms of societal condemnation, indicating that one was an outcast, possibly even seen as abandoned by God.

Psalm 22 7 Word analysis

• All who see me: This phrase emphasizes the public and pervasive nature of the contempt. It suggests that the suffering is a public spectacle, and the derision comes from everyone observing, amplifying the sense of isolation and universal rejection.
• mock me: (Hebrew: לָעֵג, la'eg) This term signifies open derision, scoffing, or ridiculing. It implies vocal contempt, often in a sneering or jeering tone, designed to belittle and humiliate. This is an active form of abuse, directly targeted at the sufferer.
• they make mouths at me: (Hebrew: פָּטַר שְׂפָה, patar sefah) Literally translated as "to open the lip" or "to shoot out the lip." This is a graphic description of a physical gesture of extreme scorn and contempt. It could imply stretching the mouth wide in a sneer, contorting the lips, or making a derisive face, showing utter disgust and disdain without necessarily speaking. It signifies profound visual mockery, more visceral than words alone.
• they wag their heads: (Hebrew: נוּעַ רֹאשׁ, nua' rosh) This is a well-attested gesture of derision, triumph over an enemy, malicious delight, or utter contempt in the ancient world. It's a non-verbal expression that communicates not only mockery but also a sense of triumphant superiority, indicating that the observers believe the suffering is deserved or that the one suffering is utterly condemned and beyond hope. It often accompanies verbal scorn and signifies a dismissive attitude.

• "mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads": This threefold description builds a crescendo of contempt. It moves from general vocal mockery (la'eg) to specific, highly insulting facial contortions (patar sefah), culminating in a body gesture (nua' rosh) that combines scorn with a sense of victorious denouncement. This progression paints a picture of comprehensive and unremitting public humiliation, leaving no doubt about the observers' malevolence and the depth of the sufferer's agony.

Psalm 22 7 Bonus section

The imagery in Psalm 22:7 is crucial for understanding the prophetic nature of this psalm concerning Christ. The specific and physical nature of the mocking gestures, particularly "making mouths" and "wagging heads," provides concrete details that transcend a general lament, pointing directly to the crucifixion accounts. This meticulous foreshadowing underscores divine providence in outlining the very human experiences of the Son of God, not just His physical pain but also His profound emotional and psychological torment at the hands of those He came to save. It reveals the complete antithesis of honor, where the King of glory is treated as the lowest outcast, exemplifying the depth of His sacrificial humiliation.

Psalm 22 7 Commentary

Psalm 22:7 graphically details the intense public shaming endured by the psalmist. It highlights the widespread and universal nature of the scorn—"all who see me"—emphasizing complete social isolation and the absence of any sympathy. The description is remarkably visual and visceral, moving from verbal mockery ("mock me") to physical gestures of profound contempt, like "making mouths" (sneering, lip-contorting) and "wagging their heads" (a universal sign of scorn, malicious triumph, and utter disregard). This passage is deeply prophetic of the Messiah's suffering on the cross, where, as recorded in the Gospels, Christ endured precisely this kind of public, vicious, and mocking contempt from onlookers, religious leaders, and soldiers. The verse underscores the depth of the spiritual and emotional agony inherent in being utterly despised and derided while appearing helpless, challenging the perception that God has abandoned the righteous in their distress.