Psalms 22:14

KJV

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am poured out {H8210} like water {H4325}, and all my bones {H6106} are out of joint {H6504}: my heart {H3820} is like wax {H1749}; it is melted {H4549} in the midst {H8432} of my bowels {H4578}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joint; my heart has become like wax it melts inside me;

Berean Standard Bible

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me.

American Standard Version

I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted within me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 22:14 offers a profoundly visceral and agonizing depiction of physical and emotional collapse. It portrays a state of utter weakness, internal dissolution, and skeletal distress, conveying a sense of being completely drained and broken. While rooted in the personal suffering of the psalmist, its vivid imagery transcends individual experience, serving as a powerful prophetic foreshadowing of the ultimate suffering of the Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 22 is a remarkable composition, beginning with a desperate cry of abandonment in [Psalm 22:1](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"), a lament famously echoed by Jesus on the cross. The psalm moves from intense personal anguish and a sense of being surrounded by enemies (e.g., [Psalm 22:12-13](/psalms/22-12 "Psalm 22:12-13 - Surrounded by Enemies")) to a dramatic shift towards praise and confidence in God's deliverance (e.g., [Psalm 22:22-25](/psalms/22-22 "Psalm 22:22-25 - From Lament to Praise")). Verse 14 falls squarely within the section of profound suffering, immediately preceding other vivid descriptions of physical torment and public humiliation (e.g., [Psalm 22:15-18](/psalms/22-15 "Psalm 22:15-18 - Further Descriptions of Suffering")). This verse, therefore, serves as a central pillar in articulating the depth of the psalmist's (and prophetically, the Messiah's) distress before the turning point of divine intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to King David, the exact historical occasion for Psalm 22 is not specified, allowing its themes of suffering and vindication to resonate broadly. The imagery of being "poured out like water" or having "bones out of joint" reflects common expressions of extreme physical and emotional distress in ancient Near Eastern literature, often associated with severe illness, battle wounds, or deep psychological trauma. The "heart" (Hebrew: *lev*) and "bowels" (Hebrew: *me'ay*) were considered the seats of one's deepest emotions, intellect, and inner being in ancient Hebrew thought, not merely anatomical organs. Thus, a "melted heart" signifies a complete loss of courage, strength, and internal coherence, a state of utter despair and vulnerability. The psalm's vivid descriptions would have been immediately comprehensible to an ancient audience familiar with the harsh realities of life, including persecution and physical hardship.

* **Key Themes:** Psalm 22 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Lament and Trust**, where the psalmist pours out his deepest anguish to God, yet ultimately expresses unwavering faith in divine deliverance. The verse powerfully illustrates the theme of **Profound Suffering**, detailing an experience of physical and internal dissolution that pushes the boundaries of human endurance. This suffering is not merely personal but takes on **Prophetic Significance**, particularly in its uncanny foreshadowing of the crucifixion, a method of execution unknown in David's time. The psalm also touches on themes of **Public Shame and Mockery** (e.g., [Psalm 22:6-8](/psalms/22-6 "Psalm 22:6-8 - Mockery and Scorn")) and ultimately, **Divine Vindication and Universal Worship** (e.g., [Psalm 22:27-31](/psalms/22-27 "Psalm 22:27-31 - All the Ends of the Earth Shall Remember and Turn to the Lord")), demonstrating that even the deepest suffering can lead to God's glory and the salvation of the nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Poured out (Hebrew, _nissakh'_):** This verb, often used for pouring out a libation or molten metal, here conveys a sense of complete dissolution, depletion, and loss of form or substance. It suggests a body that has lost all its strength and integrity, becoming as formless and weak as spilled water.
* **Out of joint (Hebrew, _parad'_):** Meaning "to separate," "to divide," or "to dislocate," this word vividly describes extreme physical agony where bones are pulled apart from their sockets. It paints a picture of intense skeletal strain and dismemberment, a profound disruption of the body's natural alignment.
* **Melted (Hebrew, _masas'_):** This verb signifies a complete liquefaction or dissolution, often used metaphorically for a loss of courage, strength, or resolve. When applied to the "heart" (the seat of will and emotion), it indicates utter despair, terror, and a complete internal collapse, as if one's very core has lost its solidity and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I am poured out like water":** This powerful simile conveys a state of utter weakness, fluidity, and loss of bodily integrity. The psalmist feels his strength, vitality, and very essence draining away, leaving him without substance or ability to stand firm. It speaks to a profound sense of helplessness and dissolution, as if his life force is ebbing away.
* **"and all my bones are out of joint":** This clause describes intense physical agony, suggesting dislocation or extreme stretching of the skeletal structure. It evokes the image of a body under immense strain, where joints are separating, causing excruciating pain and a complete breakdown of physical support. This is a literal depiction of severe bodily torment.
* **"my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels":** This double simile vividly portrays an overwhelming internal collapse, both emotional and physiological. The "heart" (the center of one's being, including intellect, will, and emotion) is depicted as losing its solidity and resolve, becoming soft and yielding like wax. This "melting" in the "bowels" (the inner parts, often associated with deep feelings) signifies profound despair, terror, and a complete loss of courage and internal strength. It speaks to a spiritual and emotional breakdown as severe as the physical torment.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 22:14 is rich in **Imagery** and **Simile**, creating a profoundly visceral and empathetic portrayal of suffering. The psalmist employs two striking similes: "poured out like water" and "my heart is like wax." The first emphasizes the complete loss of strength, form, and vitality, evoking a sense of utter weakness and dissolution. The second powerfully conveys the internal collapse of courage and emotional fortitude, as if the very core of one's being has liquefied under immense pressure. The phrase "all my bones are out of joint" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize extreme physical agony, though it also carries a prophetic resonance. The use of **Synecdoche** is also present, where "bones," "heart," and "bowels" represent the entirety of the psalmist's physical and emotional being, highlighting the comprehensive nature of his distress. The cumulative effect of these devices is to immerse the reader in the psalmist's overwhelming experience of pain, both external and internal, making the suffering palpable and deeply affecting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 22:14 powerfully articulates the depth of human suffering, but within a theological framework that ultimately points to God's sovereignty and redemptive purpose. The psalmist's experience of total physical and emotional collapse resonates with the brokenness of a fallen world and the vulnerability of humanity. Theologically, it highlights the reality of suffering as a profound human experience, yet it also sets the stage for God's ultimate intervention and deliverance. This verse, in its profound depiction of agony, prepares the reader for the radical nature of God's identification with human pain through the Messiah, demonstrating that even in the most extreme states of desolation, God is present and capable of bringing forth salvation and praise. It underscores the biblical theme that suffering, while grievous, can be a pathway through which God's power and glory are ultimately revealed.

* [Psalm 6:6](/psalms/6-6 "Weary with Groaning")
* [Psalm 69:20](/psalms/69-20 "Reproach Has Broken My Heart")
* [Lamentations 2:11](/lamentations/2-11 "My Eyes Fail with Tears")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 22:14 invites us to contemplate the profound depths of human suffering and, by extension, the immense cost of our salvation. When we feel "poured out like water," utterly depleted in strength, or when our "bones are out of joint" from the stresses and pains of life, or when our "heart is melted" by despair and fear, this verse assures us that our experience is not unknown to God. It reminds us that our Savior entered into the fullness of human pain, identifying with our weakness and brokenness to an unimaginable degree. This understanding cultivates deep empathy and offers profound solace, knowing that in Christ, we have a High Priest who has experienced temptation and suffering in every way, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - A High Priest Who Can Sympathize")). It calls us to respond with gratitude for such a costly redemption and to find strength in His perfect endurance. Furthermore, it challenges us to extend compassion to those who are suffering, recognizing the universal human experience of pain and the divine example of bearing burdens.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "poured out like water" or "melted like wax"?**
* **How does understanding the depth of suffering described in this verse deepen your appreciation for Christ's sacrifice?**
* **How might this verse encourage you to bring your deepest pains and vulnerabilities before God, knowing He understands?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "heart" and "bowels" in this verse?**

Answer: In ancient Hebrew thought, the "heart" (Hebrew: *lev*) was considered the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character—the very core of a person's being. It was not merely a physical organ but the center of one's inner life. Similarly, the "bowels" (Hebrew: *me'ay*) referred to the inner parts, often associated with deep emotions, compassion, or intense feelings. Therefore, when the psalmist says his "heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels," he is describing a complete and utter internal collapse. It signifies a profound loss of courage, strength, and emotional coherence, a state of overwhelming despair and terror that affects the deepest parts of his being. This imagery emphasizes that the suffering is not merely external or superficial but penetrates to the very essence of who he is.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 22:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. While David's own suffering was real, the vivid and precise imagery of this verse transcends his personal experience, pointing prophetically to the Messiah's agony. The sensation of being "poured out like water" finds resonance in Christ's complete depletion of strength and life force on the cross, culminating in His cry, "It is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished")). The description "all my bones are out of joint" powerfully foreshadows the physical torment of crucifixion, where the body's weight would indeed pull limbs from their sockets, causing immense strain, even if no bones were technically broken ([John 19:36](/john/19-36 "John 19:36 - No Bone of Him Shall Be Broken")). Furthermore, "my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels" speaks to the internal, physiological, and emotional collapse experienced by Jesus. This could allude to the cardiac distress, internal hemorrhaging, or even a ruptured heart that contributed to His death, consistent with the outflow of "blood and water" from His side ([John 19:34](/john/19-34 "John 19:34 - Blood and Water from His Side")). Thus, Psalm 22:14 is not merely a description of human suffering but a divinely inspired portrait of the Lamb of God, who bore the full weight of sin and its consequences, experiencing ultimate physical and spiritual desolation so that humanity might find life and redemption ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). His suffering, perfectly encapsulated in this verse, is the foundation of our hope and the ultimate demonstration of God's sacrificial love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 5:6

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Job 23:16

For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

Psalms 31:10

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

Joshua 7:5

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

Psalms 68:2

As smoke is driven away, [so] drive [them] away: as wax melteth before the fire, [so] let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

Job 30:16

And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.

Nahum 2:10

She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain [is] in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.