Psalms 22:7
What does Psalms 22:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 22:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 22:7 means
The psalmist describes the public spectacle of his suffering, as onlookers not only observe but actively mock him. Their contempt is expressed through physical gestures of scorn — "shooting out the lip" (a sneer) and shaking their heads. This public ridicule intensifies his humiliation, making his inner agony a visible display for others to deride. This foreshadows the scorn faced by Jesus on the cross.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
KJV
King James Version · 1611All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I am laughed at by all those who see me: pushing out their lips and shaking their heads they say,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862All beholding me do mock at me, They make free with the lip--shake the head,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890All they that see me laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying:]
Context
This verse directly continues the psalmist's description of his extreme humiliation, building upon his self-identification as a "worm" in verse 6. It moves from his internal feeling of debasement to the external, public display of mockery and derision, further illustrating the depths of his suffering before his enemies. This public scorn sets the stage for the specific taunts that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 30:9
And now I am become their song, Yea, I am a byword unto them.
- Isaiah 57:4
Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and put out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
- Mark 15:20
And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the purple, and put on him his garments. And they lead him out to crucify him.
- Matthew 27:39
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads,
- Psalms 35:15
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: The abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; They did tear me, and ceased not:
- Job 16:10
They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.
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