Psalms 22:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 22:7 mean?

Psalms 22:7 describes how everyone who sees the speaker mocks and ridicules him, making faces and gestures to show their scorn. The verse paints a picture of public humiliation, where the speaker is openly laughed at and treated with contempt by those around him.

In this psalm, David is the speaker, expressing deep distress and isolation as he feels surrounded by enemies who do not take his suffering seriously. The verse uses vivid language to show how people not only laugh at him but also exaggerate their mockery with gestures like sticking out their lips and shaking their heads, highlighting the depth of his rejection.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 22:7

• "Scorn" (לָעַג, la‘ag): This word means to mock or ridicule. It suggests more than just laughter—it is a harsh, derisive kind of laughter that aims to belittle.
• "Out" (פָּטַר, patar) and "lip" (שָׂפָה, saphah): The phrase “they shoot out the lip” uses a Hebrew expression that means to make faces or gestures of contempt, not just speaking but physically showing disrespect.
• "Shake" (נוּעַ, nua‘) and "head" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): Shaking the head was a common gesture in the ancient world to show disbelief, pity, or scorn, making the rejection even more visible and public.

Why Psalms 22:7 matters

• This verse helps readers see how deeply the speaker feels abandoned and humiliated, not just by enemies but by everyone who sees him.
• The gestures described—shooting out the lip and shaking the head—show that the mockery is not just verbal but also physical, emphasizing the completeness of the rejection.
• Psalms 22 as a whole is often read as a lament that foreshadows the suffering of Jesus in the New Testament, making this verse especially significant for understanding themes of suffering and mockery in both Jewish and Christian traditions.