Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

PSALMS 22:21KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 22:21 (KJV)

What does Psalms 22:21 mean?

Psalms 22:21 is a plea for rescue, where the speaker asks God to save him from deadly danger, using vivid images of wild animals to describe his enemies and peril. The verse expresses trust that God hears his cries, even in the most desperate situations.

In this psalm, David is speaking directly to God, describing his suffering and the threats he faces as if surrounded by fierce animals. The "lion's mouth" and "horns of the unicorns" are poetic ways of describing extreme danger and powerful foes. The verse marks a turning point, hinting that God has heard his prayer and that deliverance is possible.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 22:21

  • "Save" (יָשַׁע, yashaʿ): This word means to deliver or rescue, emphasizing the urgent need for help in a life-threatening situation.
  • "Lion's" (אַרְיֵה, aryeh): The lion is often a symbol of deadly threat or powerful enemies in Hebrew poetry, highlighting the seriousness of David's danger.
  • "Horns" (קֶרֶן, qeren): Horns represent strength or power, often used to describe the might of an animal or an enemy.
  • "Unicorns" (רְאֵם, re'em): This word likely refers to a wild, powerful animal such as an aurochs (an extinct wild ox), not the mythical unicorn. The image is one of overwhelming force, not fantasy.

Why Psalms 22:21 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that "unicorns" in the King James Version refers to a real, formidable animal known to the ancient world, not a mythical creature.
  • The vivid animal imagery in Psalms 22:21 highlights the intensity of David's distress and the real danger he feels, making his plea for rescue more urgent and relatable.
  • Psalms 22:21 marks a shift in the psalm from deep anguish to hope, showing that even in the darkest moments, the speaker believes God hears and can deliver.

Where else these words appear

“unicorns” Hebrew H7214 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
  • Deuteronomy 33:17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.
  • Psalms 29:6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

“horns” Hebrew H7161 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
  • 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
  • Jeremiah 48:25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

“lion's” Hebrew H738 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • 2 Kings 17:25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.
  • Jeremiah 2:30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.