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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/22-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/19_Psa_022_020.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 22:20 - The Psalm of the Cross" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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spare my precious life from these dogs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Deliver Me from the sword, My precious <i>life</i> from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Save my soul from the sword, My only <i>life</i> from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, My only life from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, My only <i>life</i> from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, My only <i>life</i> from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Rescue my life from the sword, My only <i>life</i> from the paw of the dog (the executioner).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rescue my life from the sword, my only life from the power of these dogs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deliver my life from the sword, my only life from the power of these dogs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, My darling from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Rescue me from enemy swords and save me from those dogs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Rescue my soul from the sword, my life from vicious dogs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Save me from the sword; save my life from these dogs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Deliver me from the sword; my precious life from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Deliver me from the sword! Save my life from the claws of the wild dogs! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of wild dogs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Deliver My soul from the sword, "" My only one from the paw of a dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Deliver from the sword my soul, From the paw of a dog mine only one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my only one from the band of the dog.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: my only one from the hand of the dog. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 21:21>O God, rescue my soul from the spear, and my only one from the hand of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the grip of the dog. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my life from the power of the dog!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword, my only one from the hand of the vicious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And save my soul from the sword, and also my Only One from the hand of dogs!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword; Mine only one from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Deliver my soul from the sword; my only-begotten one from the power of the dog.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/22-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=2293" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">The Psalm of the Cross</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>But You, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5337.htm" title="5337: haṣ·ṣî·lāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver. ">Deliver</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">my soul</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: mê·ḥe·reḇ (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">from the sword,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3173.htm" title="3173: yə·ḥî·ḏā·ṯî (Adj-fsc:: 1cs) -- Only, only one, solitary. From yachad; properly, united, i.e. Sole; by implication, beloved; also lonely; the life.">my precious life</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: mî·yaḏ- (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">from the power</a> <a href="/hebrew/3611.htm" title="3611: ke·leḇ (N-ms) -- A dog. From an unused root means. To yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence a male prostitute.">of wild dogs.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen You have answered me!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-36.htm">John 19:36</a></span><br />Now these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of His bones will be broken.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-46.htm">Matthew 27:46</a></span><br />About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/2-12.htm">Hebrews 2:12</a></span><br />He says: “I will proclaim Your name to My brothers; I will sing Your praises in the assembly.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-24.htm">John 19:24</a></span><br />So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it.” This was to fulfill the Scripture: “They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing.” So that is what the soldiers did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-35.htm">Matthew 27:35</a></span><br />When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-34.htm">Mark 15:34</a></span><br />At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-46.htm">Luke 23:46</a></span><br />Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-30.htm">John 19:30</a></span><br />When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-43.htm">Matthew 27:43</a></span><br />He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-29.htm">Mark 15:29-32</a></span><br />And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, / come down from the cross and save Yourself!” / In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-35.htm">Luke 23:35</a></span><br />The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-28.htm">John 19:28</a></span><br />After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">Matthew 27:39-44</a></span><br />And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-24.htm">Mark 15:24</a></span><br />And they crucified Him. They also divided His garments by casting lots to decide what each of them would take.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-36.htm">Luke 23:36-37</a></span><br />The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. / “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.</p><p class="hdg">soul</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/17-13.htm">Psalm 17:13</a></b></br> Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, <i>which is</i> thy sword:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/13-7.htm">Zechariah 13:7</a></b></br> Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man <i>that is</i> my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.</p><p class="hdg">my darling [heb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-17.htm">Psalm 35:17</a></b></br> Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.</p><p class="hdg">the dog</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16</a></b></br> For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/31-20.htm">Darling</a> <a href="/psalms/22-8.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/job/18-11.htm">Dog</a> <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Dogs</a> <a href="/psalms/22-9.htm">Life</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-16.htm">Paw</a> <a href="/psalms/22-15.htm">Power</a> <a href="/psalms/19-10.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/psalms/22-9.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/psalms/19-7.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/17-13.htm">Sword</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/35-17.htm">Darling</a> <a href="/psalms/25-20.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/psalms/59-6.htm">Dog</a> <a href="/psalms/59-6.htm">Dogs</a> <a href="/psalms/25-20.htm">Life</a> <a href="/daniel/6-27.htm">Paw</a> <a href="/psalms/24-8.htm">Power</a> <a href="/psalms/35-17.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/psalms/25-21.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/psalms/22-21.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/psalms/37-14.htm">Sword</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/22-1.htm">David complains in great discouragement</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/22-9.htm">He prays in great distress</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/22-23.htm">He praises God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Deliver my soul from the sword</b><br>This phrase is a plea for divine intervention and protection. The "sword" symbolizes imminent danger or death, often associated with warfare or violent conflict. In biblical times, the sword was a common weapon, representing the threat of physical harm. This plea can be seen as a cry for salvation from mortal peril, reflecting the psalmist's deep reliance on God for deliverance. Theologically, it echoes the broader biblical theme of God as a deliverer, as seen in passages like <a href="/exodus/15-2.htm">Exodus 15:2</a>, where God is praised for delivering Israel from Egypt. This plea also foreshadows the suffering of Christ, who, in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed for deliverance from the impending crucifixion (<a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39</a>).<p><b>my precious life from the power of wild dogs</b><br>The term "precious life" underscores the value and sanctity of life, emphasizing the psalmist's desperation to be saved from destruction. "Wild dogs" in ancient Near Eastern culture were often scavengers, symbolizing chaos, danger, and uncleanliness. They were seen as threats to both physical safety and spiritual purity. This imagery conveys a sense of being surrounded by relentless and vicious enemies. In a prophetic sense, this can be connected to the crucifixion of Jesus, where He was surrounded by hostile forces, as described in <a href="/psalms/22-16.htm">Psalm 22:16</a>, "For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me." This phrase highlights the psalmist's trust in God to protect and preserve life against overwhelming odds.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a>, David is expressing a deep sense of distress and seeking deliverance from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/w/wild_dogs.htm">Wild Dogs</a></b><br>Symbolic of vicious enemies or threatening forces. In the ancient Near East, wild dogs were often seen as scavengers and a threat to safety.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sword.htm">The Sword</a></b><br>Represents imminent danger or violence, often used metaphorically for life-threatening situations.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/soul.htm">Soul</a></b><br>In Hebrew, "nephesh" refers to the life or the very being of a person, indicating the depth of David's plea for deliverance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate deliverer and protector whom David is calling upon for salvation from his adversaries.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_for_deliverance.htm">Dependence on God for Deliverance</a></b><br>Just as David cried out to God in his distress, believers are encouraged to seek God's help in times of trouble.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_warfare.htm">Understanding Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The imagery of the sword and wild dogs can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual battles. Christians are called to be vigilant and rely on God's strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_life.htm">The Value of Life</a></b><br>David's plea for his "precious life" highlights the sanctity and value of life, reminding believers to cherish and protect it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/foreshadowing_of_christ's_suffering.htm">Foreshadowing of Christ's Suffering</a></b><br>Psalm 22 is often seen as a prophetic foreshadowing of Jesus' suffering, encouraging believers to find hope in Christ's victory over sin and death.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_tool_for_deliverance.htm">Prayer as a Tool for Deliverance</a></b><br>David's example teaches the importance of earnest prayer in seeking God's intervention and protection.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_142_4_align_with_1_sam_22_2.htm">Psalm 142:4 shows David claiming no one cares for him--how does this reconcile with 1 Samuel 22:2, where he has loyal followers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_121_3_vs._life's_hardships.htm">Psalm 121:3 - How can we reconcile 'He will not let your foot be moved' with the reality of suffering and hardship in life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_threats_to_jeremiah_align_with_divine_protection.htm">Jeremiah 11:18-23: How do these threats on Jeremiah's life align with the idea of divine protection for those who follow God's will?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'lions'_in_psalm_57_4_poetic_or_literal.htm">Is the reference to enemies being like 'lions' in Psalm 57:4 simply poetic imagery, or does it exaggerate any verifiable historical threat David faced?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Deliver my soul from the sword.</span> "The sword" symbolizes the authority of the Roman governor - that authority by which Christ was actually put to death. If he prayed, even on the cross, to be delivered from it, the prayer must have been offered with the reservations previously made in Gethsemane, "If it be possible" (<a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39</a>); "If thou be willing" (<a href="/luke/22-42.htm">Luke 22:42</a>); "Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." The human will in Christ was in favour of the deliverance; the Divine will, the same in Christ as in his Father, was against it. My darling - literally, <span class="accented">my only one</span> - from the power of the dog. By "my darling" there is no doubt that the soul is intended, both here and in <a href="/psalms/35-17.htm">Psalm 35:17</a>. It seems to be so called as the most precious thing that each man possesses (see <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a>). "The dog" is used, not of an individual, but of the class, and is best explained, like the "dogs" in ver. 16, of the executioners. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/22-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Deliver</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצִּ֣ילָה</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·ṣî·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5337.htm">Strong's 5337: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my soul</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשִׁ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the sword,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵחֶ֣רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(mê·ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my precious life</span><br /><span class="heb">יְחִידָתִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḥî·ḏā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3173.htm">Strong's 3173: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, sole, beloved, lonely, the life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the power</span><br /><span class="heb">מִיַּד־</span> <span class="translit">(mî·yaḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of wild dogs.</span><br /><span class="heb">כֶּ֝֗לֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ke·leḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3611.htm">Strong's 3611: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dog, a male prostitute</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/22-20.htm">Psalm 22:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/22-20.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword my (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/22-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 22:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 22:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/22-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 22:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 22:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>