King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Save me from the lion's mouth! You have answered me from the wild bulls' horns.
Berean Standard Bible:
Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen You have answered me!
American Standard Version:
Save me from the lion’s mouth; Yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen thou hast answered me.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Save{H3467} me from the lion's{H738} mouth{H6310}: for thou hast heard{H6030} me from the horns{H7161} of the unicorns{H7214}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Timothy 4:17
- Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Numbers 23:22
- God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
1 Peter 5:8
- ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
John 8:59
- Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
John 14:30
- Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
Acts 4:27
- For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Isaiah 34:7
- And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 22:21
Psalm 22:21 is part of a larger psalm traditionally attributed to David, who was both a celebrated warrior and the second king of Israel. This particular verse reflects a common theme in the Psalms, where the author cries out to God for deliverance from mortal danger. The imagery of being saved "from the lion's mouth" and "the horns of the unicorns" symbolizes rescue from powerful and deadly threats. Lions were known to be a real danger in ancient Israel, and the "unicorns" mentioned here likely refer to the wild ox, which was a strong and formidable animal with large horns. In the historical context, these metaphors could represent the very real dangers David faced from his enemies, both human and animal.
Theologically, this verse speaks to the trust the psalmist has in God's protection and the belief that God hears the prayers of the faithful. It emphasizes the relationship between God and the individual, highlighting the psalmist's reliance on divine intervention in times of trouble. The verse also fits within the broader context of Psalm 22, which begins with the poignant cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"—a line later famously echoed by Jesus on the cross according to the New Testament. The psalm transitions from a lament over suffering and the feeling of abandonment to an affirmation of trust in God's deliverance, ending with a declaration of praise. Thus, Psalm 22:21 encapsulates the psalmist's urgent plea for salvation and reflects a moment of deep faith in God's rescuing power, a theme that resonates throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative.
*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: H3467
There are 198 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁע
Transliteration: yâshaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-shah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor; [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. - Strong's Number: H738
There are 184 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲרִי
Transliteration: ʼărîy
Pronunciation: ar-ee'
Description: or (prolonged) [ar-yay']; from אָרָה (in the sense of violence); a lion; (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). - Strong's Number: H6310
There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּה
Transliteration: peh
Pronunciation: peh
Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. - Strong's Number: H6030
There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָה
Transliteration: ʻânâh
Pronunciation: aw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת. - Strong's Number: H7161
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶרֶן
Transliteration: qeren
Pronunciation: keh'-ren
Description: from קָרַן; a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power; [idiom] hill, horn. - Strong's Number: H7214
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רְאֵם
Transliteration: rᵉʼêm
Pronunciation: reh-ame'
Description: or רְאֵיםlemma רְאיֵם second vowel, corrected to רְאֵים; or רֵים; or רֵם; from רָאַם; a wild bull (from its conspicuousness); unicorn.