Psalm 22 (21):13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

A host of cattle surrounded me. A throng of affluent individuals encircled me. Plump oxen encircled me. Their leaders, exulting in My suffering, gathered around Me.

In the twenty-first Psalm, it is stated: The strong bulls of Bashan surround me, and: They cast lots for my garments (Ps 21:19). The Gospel writer sees this as a prophecy regarding the period of Christ's suffering. For God, who exists outside of time, views the future in the same way as the past, and to Him, events yet to unfold are as if they have already transpired, as it is written, ‘He who has ordained what is to come’.

The Prophet addresses the priests and scribes, who were given authority over the people and behaved with great arrogance, along with the younger men under their leadership. He refers to them as 'fat,' highlighting their indulgence in the privileges granted by Him. This is in line with the prophecy of Moses: ‘And Jacob shall eat, and be filled, and shall deny the beloved: fat, thickened, enlarged: and forsake’ the Lord ‘that created Him’ (Deuteronomy 32:15). The esteemed Hosea compares the children of Israel to a reckless youth: ‘for like a youth, Ephraim, with the arrow of the firing squad, is furious’ (Hosea 4:16). Ephraim symbolizes the people.

The Lord refers to the common Jewish populace as "heifers," indicating their youth and instability, while the "young men" represent the bishops, scribes, and elders, who are seen as the senior leaders and authorities. These leaders are described as "fat," signifying that they have been blessed with numerous gifts and graces from God. Moses once warned of this condition, as illustrated when Jacob, having eaten and become satisfied, turned away from his beloved and became complacent, ultimately abandoning his Creator (Deuteronomy 32:15). In a similar vein, Hosea describes the tribe of Ephraim as a heifer that is exuberant and full of desire (Hos. 4:16, Hos. 10:11). The term "fat" may also imply their indulgence in accolades and honors from others, surrounded by the trappings of the people.

Here, the speaker expresses anguish over the savage brutality of his adversaries, likening them first to young calves, then to lions, and finally to dogs. It is well understood how formidable young calves can be when provoked. The lion, too, poses a grave threat to humanity. Additionally, when dogs grow hostile and aggressive, they can viciously assault a person, a truth well recognized by all. The fundamental message conveys that David's foes were so ravenous and cruel that they appeared more like wild animals than human beings.

The calf symbolizes Jewish obstinacy and arrogance, while the fat young men represent their wickedness and fury, as they have become dull in their malevolence and have grown hostile toward Christ. This reflects their unyielding nature, akin to the time they created a calf to worship instead of God (Ex. 32:8). In contemporary Charleston, a demonic figure resembling a horned goat is venerated, and since 1966, the Church of Satan has been openly operating.

What is the reason that the revered prophet employs such comparisons as the bull and the ox? Could he be indicating the distinction between Gentiles and Jews, much like the Gospel does with the colt and the donkey? The term 'calf' refers to a young animal not yet subjected to the yoke, whereas the 'bull' denotes one that has already been brought under the yoke. Through these terms, he illustrates the differences between the Gentiles and the Jews. Other comparisons would fail to adequately distinguish between those who are enslaved and those who are free. (Ps. 21: 21-22.) Here, the brutality of the people is depicted by likening their adversaries to lions and dogs.