Psalms 22:23 - You who fear Yahweh, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him! Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel!

Generated Verse: Psalms 22:23

What does "Psalms 22:23" mean?


Psalm 22:23 is a call to worship addressed to different groups of people, all united by their relationship with God. Let's break it down:

"You who fear Yahweh, praise him!" This line calls upon those who revere and respect God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God) to offer praise. "Fear" in this context doesn't mean being terrified, but rather having a deep respect, awe, and reverence for God's power, holiness, and authority. It implies obedience and a desire to please Him. "Praise him!" means to express gratitude, admiration, and thanksgiving to God through words, songs, or actions.

"All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him!" This line addresses the entire nation of Israel, as Jacob is their ancestor. "Glorify him!" means to honor and exalt God, to make His greatness known to others. It's about reflecting God's character and making Him look good to the world.

"Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel!" This line reinforces the theme of reverence and respect. "Stand in awe" means to be filled with wonder and deep respect, recognizing God's immense power and majesty. Again, it's addressed to the descendants of Israel, emphasizing their special covenant relationship with God.

In summary, the verse is a threefold call to worship:

Reverence: Recognizing God's authority and power.
Praise: Expressing gratitude and admiration.
Glorification: Honoring God and making His greatness known.

Significance:

The verse highlights the importance of a proper attitude towards God: one of reverence, respect, and awe.
It emphasizes the responsibility of the Israelites (and, by extension, all believers) to acknowledge and celebrate God's greatness.
The repetition of "descendants of Jacob/Israel" reinforces the covenant relationship between God and His people, reminding them of their heritage and obligation to worship Him.
Considering that Psalm 22 contains prophetic elements related to the suffering of Christ, this verse can also be seen as a future call for all believers, who are spiritually descended from Israel, to praise and glorify God for the salvation provided through Jesus.

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