Bible Strands
Psalms 22:8
“He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist describes himself in the third person while surrounded by mockers who sneer and shake their heads. The moment occurs during acute public ridicule, immediately preceding a recollection of God’s deliverance from birth.
The words — The Hebrew verb גֹּל (gol) literally means "roll," describing the physical gesture of shaking one’s head in scorn. The verb חָפֵץ (Cha.fetz) means "delights," capturing the mockers’ claim that Yahweh takes pleasure in the sufferer.
The thread — This exact taunt reappears when bystanders demand the crucified figure come down from the cross because he trusted God (Matthew 27:42; Mark 15:30). The counter-promise that God delivers those who love Him is stated in Psalms 91:14.
Why it lands — The text records the mockers’ words before addressing the reality of divine trust and deliverance. It requires a reader to acknowledge that trust in God does not guarantee immediate rescue, but rests on His character rather than visible proof.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:42 “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
- Mark 15:30 come down from the cross and save Yourself!”
- Psalms 91:14 “Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him.
- Psalms 18:19 He brought me out into the open; He rescued me because He delighted in me.
- Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
- Psalms 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.
- Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
- Psalms 71:11 saying, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for there is no one to rescue him.”
- Isaiah 42:1 “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.
- Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”