Welcome to Day 2465 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 22:11-21

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2465 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2465 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we’ll be focusing on Psalm 22:11-21 from the New Living Translation. Psalm 22 is one of the most profound and prophetic Psalms, offering a glimpse into deep suffering but also a steadfast trust in God’s deliverance. In the previous verses, David cried out to God in anguish, feeling abandoned and mocked by his enemies. As we move forward, we see his distress intensify, but at the same time, his desperate plea for God’s presence and rescue becomes even more urgent. Let’s read Psalm 22:11-21 together before we break it down and explore its message. Psalm 22:11-21 (NLT): 11 Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me. 12 My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! 13 Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. 14 My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. 15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. 16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. 17 I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. 18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. 19 O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! 20 Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs. 21 Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen. The Depth of Desperation (Verses 11-13): The first thing we notice in verse 11 is David’s desperate plea for God not to stay far away from him. “Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me.” David acknowledges that God is his only source of rescue. The situation is dire, and there is no one else he can turn to. This is a common theme throughout the Psalms—turning to God in moments of desperation when human strength and resources have utterly failed. David is surrounded by his enemies, who he describes as being like a “herd of bulls” in verse 12. These aren’t just any bulls, but the “fierce bulls of Bashan,” known for their strength and power. The imagery here is vivid—David feels completely encircled by these mighty, untamable forces. In verse 13, he takes the metaphor further, likening his enemies to lions who have opened their jaws, roaring and ready to tear into their prey. This vivid imagery paints a picture of the danger David is in—he’s not just threatened, he’s on the verge of being consumed, like a vulnerable animal in the jaws of a predator. These verses express the urgency of David’s cry for help. The bulls and lions symbolize overwhelming danger, and David is surrounded, without an escape route. What can we learn from this? In moments of crisis, when we feel hemmed in by the forces of life, we, like David, can turn to God. There is a recognition here that no human effort or solution can save him. Only God has the power to deliver. Physical and Emotional Agony (Verses 14-15): In verses 14 and 15, David describes his physical and emotional agony in heartbreaking detail. “My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me.” The imagery here conveys a total collapse of his strength and spirit. His life is draining away, as if it’s evaporating, and his body feels broken. This description of being “poured out like water” suggests complete exhaustion, a loss of vitality. It’s as if David’s life force is slipping away, uncontrollably, with nothing left to hold onto. When he says, “all my bones are out of joint,” he’s giving us a picture of physical disintegration—his body is falling apart, unable to hold itself together under the weight of his suffering. In verse 15, David continues with the metaphor, saying, “My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.” His strength is gone, and he is parched, like dried-out clay that’s been left under the scorching sun. He’s physically and emotionally spent, and his situation seems hopeless. What stands out here is the completeness of his suffering—it affects him physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He feels abandoned, weak, and close to death. And yet, even in this deep distress, he directs his words to God, acknowledging that it is God who ultimately holds his life in His hands. When we face moments of extreme exhaustion—whether it’s physical illness, emotional burnout, or spiritual dryness—we can relate to David’s cry. And like David, we must continue to bring our suffering before God, trusting that He is listening, even when we feel like we’re at the end of ourselves. The Encircling Threats (Verses 16-18): In verses 16-18, David shifts from describing his internal suffering to the external threats surrounding him. “My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat.” Here, David uses the imagery of wild dogs, scavengers, circling him as if he’s already dead or dying. These “evil gangs” are not just distant threats—they are closing in, they have pierced him, and he’s in visible, extreme suffering. The piercing of the hands and feet is a chilling detail that foreshadows the crucifixion of Jesus, where He, too, would be pierced and left in the open for His enemies to mock. David’s body is so emaciated that he can count his bones—a vivid illustration of his frailty and the intensity of his suffering. His enemies mock him, gloating over his misery. “They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing,” he says in verse 18, a scene that would later play out during the crucifixion of Christ (Matthew 27:35). This section is particularly striking because it paints a picture of complete vulnerability. David is exposed, mocked, and physically ravaged by his enemies. It feels as though death is imminent, and those who should be offering him help or comfort are instead mocking and taking advantage of his plight. The Plea for Rescue (Verses 19-21): And yet, in verses 19-21, we see once again that David’s cry for help is directed to God. “O Lord, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! Save me from the sword; spare my precious life from these dogs.” David pleads with God not to stay distant. He recognizes that God is still his only source of strength despite all of his suffering. This is a powerful lesson for us. Even when it feels like God is far away, and we are surrounded by danger, He is still our strength. David asks God to come quickly to his aid because he knows that there is no hope without divine intervention. In verse 21, David pleads, “Snatch me from the lion’s jaws and from the horns of these wild oxen.” The lions and wild oxen represent the deadly threats closing in on him, but David’s faith remains—he believes that God can and will rescue him. He calls on God to “snatch” him from the jaws of death, as only God has the power to deliver him from the threats he faces. David’s plea for rescue reminds us that God is always near, no matter how dire our circumstances may seem. Even when we feel surrounded by overwhelming danger, we can cry out to God for help, trusting He hears us and has the power to save. Conclusion: As we reflect on Psalm 22:11-21, we are confronted with a deep tension between overwhelming suffering and a steadfast trust in God’s deliverance. David’s vivid descriptions of his pain and vulnerability draw us into his experience of feeling abandoned and attacked from every side. Yet, throughout his desperate cries, there remains a persistent hope—a belief that God can and will intervene. For many of us, this passage resonates because it speaks to those moments in our lives when we feel utterly overwhelmed, when the weight of our circumstances feels unbearable, and when it seems as though no one can help us. But like David, we are invited to bring our pain and fear to God, trusting that He is not distant, even when it feels that way. David’s faith amid his suffering offers us a profound example of how we can approach God in our darkest moments. No matter how far away God may seem, He is always present, and His power to deliver us from even the most hopeless situations remains undiminished. Thank you for joining me today on Wisdom-Trek. As we continue to journey through the Psalms together, let us remember to place our trust in the God who hears our cries and has the power to rescue us. Until next time, keep seeking wisdom, keep living with purpose, and let’s continue to grow together. Reflect… If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!