Psalms 22:15

Authorized King James Version

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My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Original Language Analysis

יָ֘בֵ֤שׁ is dried up H3001
יָ֘בֵ֤שׁ is dried up
Strong's: H3001
Word #: 1 of 9
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
כַּחֶ֨רֶשׂ׀ like a potsherd H2789
כַּחֶ֨רֶשׂ׀ like a potsherd
Strong's: H2789
Word #: 2 of 9
a piece of pottery
כֹּחִ֗י My strength H3581
כֹּחִ֗י My strength
Strong's: H3581
Word #: 3 of 9
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
וּ֭לְשׁוֹנִי and my tongue H3956
וּ֭לְשׁוֹנִי and my tongue
Strong's: H3956
Word #: 4 of 9
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
מֻדְבָּ֣ק cleaveth H1692
מֻדְבָּ֣ק cleaveth
Strong's: H1692
Word #: 5 of 9
properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
מַלְקוֹחָ֑י to my jaws H4455
מַלְקוֹחָ֑י to my jaws
Strong's: H4455
Word #: 6 of 9
transitively (in dual) the jaws (as taking food)
וְֽלַעֲפַר me into the dust H6083
וְֽלַעֲפַר me into the dust
Strong's: H6083
Word #: 7 of 9
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
מָ֥וֶת of death H4194
מָ֥וֶת of death
Strong's: H4194
Word #: 8 of 9
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
תִּשְׁפְּתֵֽנִי׃ and thou hast brought H8239
תִּשְׁפְּתֵֽנִי׃ and thou hast brought
Strong's: H8239
Word #: 9 of 9
to locate, i.e., (generally) hang on or (figuratively) establish, reduce

Analysis & Commentary

Extreme dehydration ('strength is dried up like a potsherd') and the tongue cleaving to the jaws precisely describe crucifixion's effects. Jesus' cry 'I thirst' (John 19:28) fulfilled this verse. The phrase 'thou hast brought me into the dust of death' asserts God's sovereignty even over Christ's death—it was ordained, not merely permitted. Reformed theology sees divine orchestration: the Father sovereignly planned the Son's death to accomplish redemption.

Historical Context

Potsherds (broken pottery fragments) were completely dry and brittle, illustrating total dehydration. Crucifixion victims died from exposure, blood loss, and asphyxiation after hours of agony. Christ endured this to the fullest extent.

Questions for Reflection

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