תהלים, פרק כ״ב, פסוק י״ד

The overwhelming terror of being surrounded by enemies is brought to life through the image of cruel beasts of prey. The threat is not just of defeat, but of total destruction, as the attackers open their mouths wide, eager to swallow their victim whole [אבן עזרא, מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד].

These attackers take on the terrifying likeness of a lion [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Commentators offer different perspectives on who these enemies represent. Some view this as a direct continuation of a previous image where the attackers were compared to bulls; though bulls are not naturally predators, these enemies have adopted the vicious cruelty of a hunting lion [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. Others understand the lion as a metaphor for a great, menacing king [מאירי], with some specifically identifying this figure as Nebuchadnezzar [רש״י].

The behavior of these enemies is characterized by tearing apart their target and roaring. The primary approach among commentators is that this sequence tells a story of cruel triumph. A lion first tears its prey apart and only afterward roars out of joy, pride, and a sense of power. In the same way, the enemies raise their voices in joyful boasting only after they have successfully harmed and plundered their victim [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מאירי].

A completely different approach suggests that this imagery portrays cruel mockery rather than physical triumph. In this interpretation, the enemies look at the broken, weeping poet and taunt him. They compare him to a lion that has already caught its prey yet continues to roar. Their insult implies that since he has already achieved his desires and secured the royal crown, he has no genuine reason to be sad or to cry out in pain [אלשיך].