David Describes His Enemies And His Sufferings

Psalms 22:11–21
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

David describes his enemies and his sufferings. He compares them to cruel and insensitive beasts: bulls, the lion (vv. 13, 21), dogs (vv. 16, 20), and wild oxen (v. 21). When men reject God’s truth they become like beasts. Just imagine all of these blood thirsty beasts surrounding a little worm! Because of his enemies’ attacks, David’s strength was sapped from him like poured out water and his bones felt like they were out of joint. His heart was like melted wax, his strength was gone and his mouth was dry. He was brought to the very brink of death.

God the Son and God the Father had never been separated until that eventful moment at Calvary. Thus, the Son cried, “Be not far from me ... for there is none to help” (v. 11). When the Lord Jesus looked down from the cross, He saw the priests, rulers, scribes, Pharisees, and others gathered around Him like an infuriated herd of wild bulls (v. 12). David prayed that the Lord would help him by saving his life from the power of his wicked enemies who were like dogs (v. 16), lions (v. 13), and wild oxen (v. 21). He became confident that he had been heard (v. 21).

In comparing this to the crucifixion of our Lord, His enemies were like these beasts standing strong and threatening around His cross. His strength was gone so that he could not carry the cross to Golgotha’s hill. The one who began His public ministry by being hungry, ended it by being thirsty. During all of this He cried out to the Father and was certain He had been heard.

Application

How would I react if I was placed under tremendous persecution like many who have lived in countries under the suffering of a strong dictatorship? The key is to how I react to smaller struggles in my life today. I need to get in the habit of crying out to the Lord about small things.