Psalms 22:20
What does Psalms 22:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 22:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 22:20 means
The psalmist beseeches God to save his very life ("my soul") from the deadly threat of the "sword," a symbol of violent death. He also specifically asks for his "darling," or his only one—his life—to be rescued from the "power of the dog," evoking the predatory and vicious enemies described earlier. This plea highlights his clinging to life and his conviction that God alone can deliver him from imminent destruction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Deliver my soul from the sword, My darling from the power of the dog.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Deliver my soul from the sword, My darling from the power of the dog.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Make my soul safe from the sword, my life from the power of the dog.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Deliver from the sword my soul, From the paw of a dog mine only one.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Deliver my soul from the sword; my only one from the power of the dog;
Context
This verse directly builds upon the urgent plea for God's proximity and help in verse 19, articulating specific threats from which the psalmist seeks deliverance. By naming "the sword" and "the power of the dog," he translates his general plea into concrete requests for rescue from violent death and his predatory enemies. This specificity underscores the immediacy and severity of his mortal danger.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.
- Psalms 35:17
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, My darling from the lions.
- Psalms 17:13
Arise, O Jehovah, Confront him, cast him down: Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword;
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