Psalms 22:12

22:12 Many bulls surround me;

powerful bulls of Bashan hem me in.

Psalms 51:19

51:19 Then you will accept the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings;

then bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.


sn The psalmist figuratively compares his enemies to dangerous bulls.

sn Bashan, located east of the Jordan River, was well-known for its cattle. See Ezek 39:18; Amos 4:1.

tn Or “desire, take delight in.”

tn Heb “then they will offer up bulls.” The third plural subject is indefinite.

sn Verses 18-19 appear to reflect the exilic period, when the city’s walls lay in ruins and the sacrificial system had been disrupted.