Psalms 22:15

What does Psalms 22:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 22:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 22:15 means

Continuing the depiction of his physical decline, the psalmist describes his strength as utterly parched and brittle, much like a fragmented piece of pottery. His mouth is so dry that his tongue adheres to his jaws, preventing him from speaking or crying out effectively. He concludes with a stark declaration that God has brought him to the very brink of death, emphasizing his profound weakness and the imminent danger to his life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

My throat is dry like a broken vessel; my tongue is fixed to the roof of my mouth, and the dust of death is on my lips.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Dried up as an earthen vessel is my power, And my tongue is cleaving to my jaws.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Not available in this translation

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my palate; and thou hast laid me in the dust of death.

Context

This verse directly continues the graphic portrayal of the psalmist's bodily breakdown initiated in verse 14. It further details his physical incapacitation, focusing on his dried-up strength and parched mouth. This intense description of his near-death state naturally leads into the specific acts of malice perpetrated by his enemies in the subsequent verses, highlighting his profound vulnerability.

v.14I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted within me.

v.15This passage

v.16For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3

    For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

  • Job 34:15

    All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.

  • Psalms 38:10

    My heart throbbeth, my strength faileth me: As for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.

  • Job 29:10

    The voice of the nobles was hushed, And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

  • Psalms 30:9

    What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?

  • Psalms 69:3

    I am weary with my crying; my throat is dried: Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

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