Psalms 22:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A call to the faithful community to praise and glorify God.
The Context of Psalms 22:23
The psalmist calls the community of the faithful to praise and glorify God.
What Does Psalms 22:23 Mean?
The psalmist's vow to declare becomes an immediate call. Those who fear (revere, trust) the LORD are summoned to praise. The 'seed of Jacob' and 'seed of Israel'—the covenant people—are called to glorify and fear Him. The repetition of 'fear' frames the whole people's relationship to God: fear as both reverent awe and trusting dependence.
The psalmist, still in anguish, calls the community to worship. This is not contradiction but faith: the individual's rescue will vindicate God before the people. The call to praise pre-figures the deliverance the psalmist expects. It is as if the psalmist commands the congregation to prepare to witness God's saving act.
Psalms 22:23 in the Original Language
yare (יָרֵא), 'fear' — to stand in awe, reverence, and trusting dependence; foundational to covenant relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 22:23
What does Psalms 22:23 mean?
A call to the faithful community to praise and glorify God.
What is the context of Psalms 22:23?
The psalmist calls the community of the faithful to praise and glorify God.