Psalms 22:21
What does Psalms 22:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 22:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 22:21 means
The psalmist continues his fervent prayers for rescue, specifically asking to be saved from the deadly "lion's mouth" and the destructive "horns of the wild-oxen," symbols of powerful and savage adversaries. Crucially, the verse ends with a sudden declaration of faith: "thou hast answered me." This abrupt shift signifies a profound turning point, indicating a received assurance of deliverance, even before the physical rescue is fully realized.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Save me from the lion’s mouth; Yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen thou hast answered me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Save me from the lion’s mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Save me from the lion’s mouth; Yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen thou hast answered me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be my saviour from the lion's mouth; let me go free from the horns of the cruel oxen.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Save me from the mouth of a lion: --And--from the horns of the high places Thou hast answered me!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Save me from the lion's mouth. Yea, from the horns of the buffaloes hast thou answered me.
Context
Following the specific pleas for deliverance from violent death in verse 20, this verse continues the use of animalistic imagery to describe his powerful enemies, intensifying his desperate cries. However, it concludes with a dramatic shift, declaring God's answer. This sudden transition from deep lament to assured deliverance marks the hinge point of the entire psalm, explaining the subsequent outpouring of praise.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 5:30
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.
- Isaiah 34:7
And the wild-oxen shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls: and their land shall be drunken with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
- John 8:59
They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.
- John 14:30
I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world cometh: and he hath nothing in me;
- Acts 4:27
for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,
- 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
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