Psalms 22:12

"Many bulls have compassed me;

Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

They gape upon me with their mouth,

As a ravening and a roaring lion.

I am poured out like water,

And all my bones are out of joint:

My heart is like wax; it is melted within me,"

"They gape upon me with their mouth" (Psalms 22:13). This expression right in the center of these three verses alerts us to the fact that these animals such as bulls, lions, and dogs (a little later) are not to be understood as literal animals at all. What bull ever gaped upon a human being with his mouth? "The crowd depicted here is thus described as bestial, but it is all too human."[10]

"Bulls of Bashan" (Psalms 22:12). "Bulls of Bashan were remarkable for their size, strength, and fierceness; and are introduced here to represent men who were fierce, savage and violent."[11]

"Poured out like water" (Psalms 22:14). "It is not known exactly what this means. "Extreme weakness and exhaustion, or utter prostration seem to be indicated."[12]

"All my bones are out of joint" (Psalms 22:14). We are surprised that some commentators are unable to explain this. The crucifixion to which condemned men of that day were subjected began on the ground, where the victim was nailed to the cross, which was then lifted and dropped into the hole prepared for it. At the very least this would have unjointed both shoulders and perhaps other joints as well.

"My heart is like wax" (Psalms 22:14). This indicates that the victim would die of heart-failure, which, of course, is the very manner in which Jesus died, which alone can account for the fact that he was already dead when the soldiers of Pilate came to break his legs.