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Psalms 22:17

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I may tell all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me.

I may tell {H5608} all my bones {H6106}: they look {H5027} and stare {H7200} upon me.

I can count every one of my bones, while they gaze at me and gloat.

I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me.

I may count all my bones. They look and stare upon me;

Commentary

Psalm 22:17 KJV presents a vivid and deeply poignant image of intense suffering, both physical and emotional. While initially describing the anguish of King David, this verse, along with the entire Psalm 22, is widely recognized as a profound messianic prophecy, foreshadowing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse is part of a lament psalm, traditionally attributed to David, where he pours out his heart to God in a time of extreme distress. The psalm begins with the desperate cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" – a cry famously echoed by Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:46). The surrounding verses describe David's enemies surrounding him like "bulls" and "dogs," mocking and reviling him. Verse 17 paints a picture of physical deterioration and public humiliation that goes beyond typical human suffering, pointing toward a unique event.

Key Themes

  • Profound Suffering: The phrase "I may tell all my bones" suggests extreme emaciation, perhaps even dislocation, where every bone becomes visible and palpable. This speaks to a level of physical agony that drains the body.
  • Public Humiliation and Spectacle: "they look [and] stare upon me" highlights the cruel, unfeeling gaze of onlookers. The suffering individual is not just in pain but is also made a public spectacle, stripped of dignity and privacy. This mirrors the scene at the crucifixion where people stood by and watched (Luke 23:35).
  • Messianic Prophecy: The most significant theme is the prophetic fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The detailed descriptions in Psalm 22, including the piercing of hands and feet (verse 16) and the parting of garments and casting lots (verse 18), find their precise fulfillment in the events of the crucifixion. This verse specifically relates to the physical state of Jesus on the cross, weakened and exposed, as well as the mockery He endured from those who watched Him die.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation "I may tell all my bones" effectively conveys the Hebrew imagery. The verb translated "tell" (סָפַר, sapar) can mean to count or recount, implying that the bones are so prominent due to extreme thinness or skeletal distortion that they could be individually identified. The phrase "look and stare" (רָאָה, ra'ah, and שָׁזַר, shazar) intensifies the sense of public, intrusive, and unsympathetic observation. It's not just a glance but a prolonged, fixed gaze of curiosity or malice.

Reflection and Application

For believers, Psalm 22:17 serves as a powerful reminder of the profound suffering endured by Jesus Christ for humanity's redemption. It highlights:

  • The Reality of Christ's Sacrifice: Understanding the physical agony and public humiliation foretold in this psalm deepens appreciation for the cost of salvation. Jesus truly experienced the depths of human suffering and abandonment.
  • God's Sovereign Plan: The precise fulfillment of such ancient prophecies underscores the meticulous nature of God's plan and His ultimate control over history, demonstrating the reliability of His Word.
  • Empathy and Trust: When we face our own trials or feel exposed and vulnerable, this verse reminds us that Christ understands our suffering, having endured the ultimate humiliation and pain. We can trust in a God who entered fully into the human experience of sorrow and abandonment.

This verse ultimately points to the faithfulness of God to His promises and the completed work of Christ on the cross, which turned the scene of ultimate humiliation into the pinnacle of divine love and victory.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 23:35 (9 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

  • Isaiah 52:14 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,

  • Matthew 27:41 (5 votes)

    Likewise also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said,

  • Job 33:21 (4 votes)

    His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out.

  • Psalms 102:3 (2 votes)

    For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.