12 Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
17 I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
David again describes the relentlessness of his suffering. He feels like he is surrounded by cruel animals, strong bulls and a ravening and roaring lion. He is so weak and weary that it is like he has been poured out like water. All his strength has gone and he is on the brink of death. His enemies look at him as if he is as good as dead. The psalm speaks of his hands and feet being pierced. The Hebrew used here describes his hands and feet torn by animals but in the New Testament, these words have a greater significance speaking of Christ nailed to the cross. He speaks of his garments being divided and gambled over, his last possessions being taken from him as he lies dying. This predicts the soldiers doing the same thing at Jesus’ feet as He hung dying on the cross.
Once again David changes from lament to prayer. He is confident that God will rescue him from his suffering. He prayed that God would save him and then switches his prayer from a request, “save me”, to expecting an answer, “you have rescued me”. God will not leave us alone in our suffering. When suffering overwhelms us we must move our focus from all that surrounds us to the One who saves.