Interpreted in a Christological sense, this psalm "contains a prayer of petition made by the Saviour, offered from his human nature, and it recounts the causes that led to his death on the cross. It also tells clearly of the sufferings he endured, and of the disgrace that would befall the Jews following his Passion. That the Lord offered this prayer in his humanity is indicated by the words at the end of the psalm: the Lord listens to those who are in need, he does not ignore prisoners" (St Athanasius, Expositiones in Psalmos, 68).

This psalm arrangement is used in the Mass on the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.