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Psalm 22:20

Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.

18They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.
19But don’t be far off, LORD. You are my help. Hurry to help me!
20Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog.
21Save me from the lion’s mouth! Yes, you have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen.
22I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the assembly, I will praise you.
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← Psalm 22:19Psalm 22:21 →
Notice

The sword and the dog's power make this a plea against lethal danger, while “my precious life” names the worth of the life under threat.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What do you notice about the words “my precious life” amid these images of violence?

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Whose safety comes to mind as you read this plea for deliverance?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

8 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 22:16For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet.The surrounding dogs in verse 16 connect the dog's power here with the evildoers who have enclosed the speaker.
Psalm 35:17Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.Both prayers ask God to rescue “my precious life,” using dangerous animals to describe the threat.
Psalm 116:4Then I called on the LORD’s name: “LORD, I beg you, deliver my soul.”Both prayers use “deliver my soul” as a direct plea to the LORD for rescue.
Philippians 3:2Beware of the dogs; beware of the evil workers; beware of the false circumcision.Both use dogs as an image of danger, though Philippians warns against evil workers and Psalm 22 pleads for rescue.
Zechariah 13:7“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me,” says the LORD of Armies. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; …Both passages name a sword threatening life; Psalm 22 asks for deliverance, while Zechariah commands the sword to strike the shepherd.
Psalm 17:13Arise, LORD, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,Both ask God to “Deliver my soul,” though the sword threatens the speaker in Psalm 22 and serves God's rescue in Psalm 17.
2 Kings 8:13Hazael said, “But what is your servant, who is but a dog, that he could do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king …Both mention a dog, though Hazael applies the term to himself and Psalm 22 describes a power threatening the speaker.
Ephesians 1:6to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely gave us favor in the Beloved.The connection is broad: Psalm 22 asks God for rescue, while Ephesians praises his grace and favor in the Beloved.
Where this verse fits

Fear for the future. injustice and anger. death and what comes after.

What the Bible says about fear →What the Bible says about anger →What the Bible says about death →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Pray Psalm 22:20 for one person whose safety concerns you

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Encouragement

Your plea for safety has a place in prayer. Here, a threatened person asks God to preserve a life still named precious.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 22:20. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 22 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).