“Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.” -Psalm 22:12–13
In verses 12-18, David describes the voracious and cruel nature of his enemies in bestial metaphors.
Bulls are aggressive and insensitive. The bulls of Bashan, in particular, refer to the well-fed cattle ranged east of the Sea of Galilee (Kinnereth), an area famous for its lush pastures (see Jer. 50:19, Micah 7:14, and Ezek. 39:18). These aggressive animals (David’s enemies) were strong because they were fattened in the luxurious fields of their material gain.
They are also loud and ravenous, like a lion, an expression David uses frequently in his description of his fierce and unmerciful enemies (Ps. 7:2; 10:9; 17:12; 22:21; 35:17; 57:4; 58:6). This is also how Peter describes the enemy of our Lord and of all mankind:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” -1 Peter 5:8
The enemies of God’s people are real. Though they often embody person’s who act in nefarious ways, our enemies are actually spiritual in nature.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” -Ephesians 6:10–12