Psalms 22:14
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Original Language Analysis
כַּמַּ֥יִם
like water
H4325
כַּמַּ֥יִם
like water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
1 of 11
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי֮
I am poured out
H8210
נִשְׁפַּכְתִּי֮
I am poured out
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
2 of 11
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
וְהִתְפָּֽרְד֗וּ
are out of joint
H6504
וְהִתְפָּֽרְד֗וּ
are out of joint
Strong's:
H6504
Word #:
3 of 11
to break through, i.e., spread or separate (oneself)
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַצְמ֫וֹתָ֥י
and all my bones
H6106
עַצְמ֫וֹתָ֥י
and all my bones
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
5 of 11
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
הָיָ֣ה
H1961
הָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִ֭בִּי
my heart
H3820
לִ֭בִּי
my heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
7 of 11
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
נָ֝מֵ֗ס
it is melted
H4549
נָ֝מֵ֗ס
it is melted
Strong's:
H4549
Word #:
9 of 11
to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)
Cross References
Daniel 5:6Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.Psalms 31:10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.Job 23:16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:Joshua 7:5And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.Psalms 68:2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.Psalms 22:17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.Job 30:16And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.John 12:27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.Nahum 2:10She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.Matthew 26:38Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
Historical Context
Crucifixion was Rome's most torturous execution method, designed to maximize suffering over hours or days. This psalm, written centuries before crucifixion was invented, prophetically describes its effects with medical precision, evidencing divine inspiration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does meditating on Christ's physical suffering deepen your hatred of sin?
- What does the specificity of these physical details teach about biblical prophecy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The physical imagery—'poured out like water,' 'bones are out of joint,' 'heart is like wax'—vividly describes crucifixion's effects. Medical analysis confirms these symptoms: severe dehydration, dislocated joints from hanging by nails, and cardiac stress. Reformed theology emphasizes that Christ's physical suffering was real and excruciating, not merely symbolic. He truly became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21), experiencing death's full horror to conquer it completely.