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Deliver my soul from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog.

Verse Takeaways

1

Unpacking the Imagery

Commentators explain that the psalmist, speaking as Christ, uses powerful metaphors. 'Deliver my soul' is a plea to save his life. The 'sword' represents both physical instruments of death and the sharp, painful words of his accusers. 'My darling' (or 'my only one') poignantly refers to his precious, unique, and solitary life. The 'dog' is a symbol for his cruel and vicious enemies.

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Book Overview

Psalms

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Commentaries

9

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Psalms 22:20

18th Century

Theologian

Deliver my soul from the sword - The word soul here means life, and denotes a living person. It is equivalent to “deliver me.” “The…

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On Psalm 22:19–21

19th Century

Preacher

O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth: for …

John Gill

John Gill

On Psalms 22:20

17th Century

Pastor

Deliver my soul from the sword Wicked men, whose tongues were as a sharp sword, reproaching and blaspheming him, and bear…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Psalms 22:11–21

17th Century

Minister

In these verses, we see Christ suffering and Christ praying, which directs us to expect suffering and to look up to God amidst it. The specific man…