King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.
Complete Jewish Bible:
I can count every one of my bones, while they gaze at me and gloat.
Berean Standard Bible:
I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me.
American Standard Version:
I may count all my bones. They look and stare upon me;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
I may tell{H5608} all my bones{H6106}: they look{H5027} and stare{H7200} upon me.
Cross-References (KJV):
Luke 23:35
- And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided [him], saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luke 23:27
- And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
Isaiah 52:14
- As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
Matthew 27:39
- And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Matthew 27:41
- Likewise also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said,
Job 33:21
- His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out.
Psalms 102:3
- For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 22:17
Psalm 22:17 is part of a larger Psalm traditionally attributed to King David, which opens with the poignant words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This Psalm is a prayer of lament, expressing deep anguish and feelings of abandonment by God. In the verse in question, the psalmist speaks of his suffering in vivid terms, saying, "I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me."
The imagery here is intense and visceral, conveying a sense of complete vulnerability and exposure. The psalmist feels as though his suffering is so profound that even his bones, the very framework of his body, are acutely aware of and responding to his distress. The notion of bones looking and staring suggests a kind of personification, where even the inanimate parts of his body seem to participate in his torment, emphasizing the depth of his affliction.
Historically, this Psalm has been interpreted messianically by both Jewish and Christian traditions. Christians, in particular, see it as prophetic of the crucifixion of Jesus, who uttered the opening line of Psalm 22 while on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). The description of bones staring upon the sufferer resonates with the physical and emotional agony associated with crucifixion.
In a broader thematic context, Psalm 22:17 reflects the universal human experience of profound suffering. It gives voice to the feeling of being overwhelmed by pain, where the body itself seems to echo the cry of distress. The Psalm as a whole, however, moves from lament to praise, suggesting a narrative arc from despair to hope, which has offered comfort and solace to countless individuals throughout history who have faced their own dark nights of the soul.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5608
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָפַר
Transliteration: çâphar
Pronunciation: saw-far'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate; commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. - Strong's Number: H6106
There are 108 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶצֶם
Transliteration: ʻetsem
Pronunciation: eh'tsem
Description: from עָצַם; a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.) selfsame; body, bone, [idiom] life, (self-) same, strength, [idiom] very. - Strong's Number: H5027
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבַט
Transliteration: nâbaṭ
Pronunciation: naw-bat'
Description: a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.