Psalms 22:20

Authorized King James Version

Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הַצִּ֣ילָה

H5337

Deliver

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

מֵחֶ֣רֶב

H2719

from the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

נַפְשִׁ֑י

H5315

my soul

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מִיַּד

H3027

from the power

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כֶּ֝֗לֶב

H3611

of the dog

a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute

יְחִידָתִֽי׃

H3173

my darling

properly, united, i.e., sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; (feminine) the life (as not to be replaced)

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?