“Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth! Yes, you have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen.” Psalm 22:20-22

“Don’t be far from me, for trouble is near. For there is no one to help.” Psalm 22:11

Helpless

Suffering is the great equalizer. Through the psalms, we see that even Israel’s great King David was not immune. He was bullied throughout his life—by his brothers, King Saul, his political enemies, and even his own son.

Psalm 22 was written over a thousand years before Jesus referenced it on the cross. It documents the deep impact of bad and bullying on David’s life. Over 3,000 years ago, this mighty king wrestled with the same troubles we face today: being outmatched, bullied, disappointed, and hopeless.

“Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.” Psalm 22:12

Surrounded

Sometimes all it takes is one person with the skill to entrap you with their words. Have you ever been in an argument where accusing questions fly so quickly you can’t even think, let alone respond? They set verbal traps, and when you don’t fall into one, they simply fire more. It feels like being attacked from every direction—utterly surrounded.

"They open their mouths wide against me, lions tearing prey and roaring.” Psalm 22:13

Slandered

Have you had people gossip or slander you? That, is also a way of being surrounded. Their words tear at you like a lion tearing its prey. With their gossip, they recruit others to see you in a distorted, negative way. The roar is their boastful, prideful intimidation to you because they have so many people backing them up.

“I am poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax. It is melted within me.” Psalm 22:14

Defenseless

“Poured out like water” shows how easily one can be dismantled. “All my bones are out of joint” paints a picture of having no leg to stand on—every structure broken down. “My heart… melted like wax” shows the utter loss of strength and hope the failing of what kept you strong in the past. Even Gods chosen king felt this way.

“He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.” Psalm 18:17

“You have rescued^[c] me from the horns of the wild oxen!” “For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.The afflicted^[d] shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!””The afflicted^[d] shall eat and be satisfied;
    those who seek him shall praise the Lord!” Psalm 22:22, 24, & 26.

There is Hope

There is hope. God delivers us from those who are too strong, smart, or powerful for us. David’s life proves it—God defended and justified him. And just as He did this for David, He will do it for us when we trust in Jesus. He sees, He hears, and He cares about our afflictions.

“Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him.  I will set him on high, because he has known my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. I will satisfy him with long life, and show him my salvation.”

Prayer

Dear Lord, I come to you in Jesus’ name. I thank you that because of the cross, I am vindicated and cleansed from all of my sins. I ask You to be my defense. You see what is said in secret spaces, what is discussed in dark places, and the traps that have entangled me. I set my love on You.

I declare that my help is in the Lord who made heaven and earth. Hear my prayer, come to my defense. Let no weapon formed against me prosper, and let every tongue that rises up against me be shown to be in the wrong. I thank You that this is the heritage of Your servants, and our vindication is from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord..” Isaiah 54:17