Psalms 22:7

Psalms 22:7

Verse 7 continues the sting of public scorn: “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying.” This is vivid street-level contempt. In Hebrew, the imagery of laughter, lip-curving sneers, and the shaking of the head reflects communal derision directed at a vulnerable person. The psalmist situates suffering in a social frame: not only is there inward anguish, but there is external mockery from those who observe the anguish and rub salt in the wound. The wider psalm traces a trajectory from humiliation to deliverance, and this verse foregrounds the brutal accessibility of mockery as a form of oppression. The posture of the crowd—laughing, lip-snapping, head-shaking—signals not just personal pain but a chorus of disbelief at the speaker’s faith. Historically, this would resonate with those who faced public scorn for trusting in God amid adversity. The verse sets up a contrast: public derision versus private fidelity. It’s a reminder that faithful intimacy with God often occurs under the pressure of hostile surroundings.

The core theological note is the legitimacy of lament under communal scorn. The psalmist models truth-telling before God while resisting the urge to retaliate in kind. Mockery tests faith and clarifies allegiance: to trust in God when people ridicule is to choose a different metric for value and worth. The verse also contributes to messianic interpretation: Jesus bore public derision, mocked and scorned as he faced crucifixion, fulfilling this lament in a profound way. Theologically, it underlines that ridicule cannot nullify God’s promises; mockery is not a verdict on reality but a human attempt to define reality by sight rather than by faith. The verse invites believers to hold onto God’s faithfulness even when others shake their heads in disbelief.

You’ve probably faced the sneers of peers when you choose integrity, ethics, or a counter-cultural stance. How to respond? First, acknowledge the pain without swallowing it as truth about your worth. Then, choose a different response than the crowd’s: respond with quiet, consistent faith; let your actions speak in patience and kindness. If you’re mocked for pursuing something hard (e.g., biblical convictions at work or in school), consider a tiny, practical counter-move: one small act that displays integrity each day. Practice empathetic listening to those who ridicule, seeking to understand their fears behind the laughter. Remember Jesus’ response to mockery—solidity and mercy—so you can maintain humility without capitulation. The verse also encourages us to support others who are mocked for faith, providing safe space to process their feelings and maintain hope in God.

Cross-References: Psalm 22:6; Psalm 42:10; Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:39-43; 1 Corinthians 4:12