Psalm 102 22

Psalm 102:22 kjv

When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

Psalm 102:22 nkjv

When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

Psalm 102:22 niv

when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.

Psalm 102:22 esv

when peoples gather together, and kingdoms, to worship the LORD.

Psalm 102:22 nlt

when multitudes gather together
and kingdoms come to worship the LORD.

Psalm 102 22 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Isa 2:2-4In the latter days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest...and all the nations shall flow to it...that he may teach us his ways, and that we may walk in his paths.Nations learn and obey God's ways in future.
Zec 14:16Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths.All nations universally worship the Lord.
Psa 86:9All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.All nations worship before the Lord.
Psa 47:8-9God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!God's reign over nations, gathered for Him.
Mal 1:11For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.God's name revered universally.
Dan 2:44And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed...it shall stand forever.God establishes an eternal kingdom.
Isa 49:6I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.Salvation extending to all nations.
Isa 60:3And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.Nations drawn to Zion's light.
Zeph 3:9-10"For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord."Peoples united in pure worship and service.
Joel 3:2I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on account of my people Israel...God gathering nations, even for judgment.
Mic 4:2And many nations shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths."Many nations seeking God's ways.
Isa 19:21And the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the Lord and perform them.Egyptians know and worship the Lord.
Jer 16:19-21To you shall the nations come, from the ends of the earth, and say: "Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit."Nations abandoning idols to acknowledge God.
Rev 7:9-10After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God..."Multitude from all nations worshipping.
Rev 15:4Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.All nations fearing and worshipping God.
Phil 2:10-11so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Universal submission and confession to the Lord.
Isa 11:9They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.Earth full of the knowledge of God.
Rom 15:9-12and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name"... "The Root of Jesse will come, and he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope."Gentiles glorifying God; hoping in Messiah.
Acts 15:16-17After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.God's purpose to include all Gentiles.
Psa 22:27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.Universal remembrance and worship of God.
Psa 66:4All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name."All the earth worships God.
Hab 2:14For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.Earth filled with God's glory and knowledge.

Psalm 102 verses

Psalm 102 22 Meaning

Psalm 102:22 proclaims a prophetic vision of a future time when all peoples and their kingdoms will assemble for the singular purpose of serving the Lord God. It underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, portraying a world united in devotion to Him, thereby affirming His ultimate sovereignty over all humanity and creation.

Psalm 102 22 Context

Psalm 102 is a "Psalm of affliction" (a lament) of an individual experiencing profound distress, coupled with a plea for divine intervention. It shifts dramatically from personal despair (vv. 1-11) and lament for Zion's desolation (vv. 12-17) to a confident assertion of God's eternal nature and His unchanging purposes. Verse 22 sits within this transition (vv. 18-22), which expresses hope not only for the restoration of Zion but also for a global future. The psalmist acknowledges God's enduring character as a stark contrast to his own fleeting life and suffering, laying the foundation for the ultimate divine action to gather all peoples. This verse looks forward, past the immediate tribulation, to God's ultimate manifestation of glory which will draw all nations to Him. Historically, this prophecy transcends the immediate concerns of Israel to encompass an eschatological hope for the universal recognition of YHWH.

Psalm 102 22 Word analysis

  • When (, כִּי): This particle indicates "when," setting the stage for a future event. It introduces the specific time when the prophesied gathering will occur, marking it as a definite, divinely ordained happening.
  • peoples (‘ammim, עַמִּים): This refers to ethnic groups or nations. While ‘am often denotes the people of Israel, its plural form ‘ammim, especially when paired with "kingdoms" and in a context of universal worship, clearly denotes all the non-Israelite nations or the totality of humanity's distinct groups, not just the chosen nation. This highlights the truly universal scope of the prophecy.
  • are gathered together (niqbaṣim, נִקְבָּצִים): A Niphal participle from the verb qabaṣ, meaning "to gather, collect." The Niphal conjugation implies a passive sense ("are gathered") or a reflexive one ("gather themselves"). Here, it suggests that their gathering is either divinely initiated, drawn by God's manifest presence or purposes, or a spontaneous coming together motivated by recognizing God's work. It points to a decisive assembly, not accidental aggregation.
  • and kingdoms (umamlakot, וּמַמְלָכוֹת): This term refers to organized political entities and their respective rulers. Its inclusion alongside "peoples" signifies that this future gathering encompasses not only diverse populations but also their established societal and governmental structures. This demonstrates God's sovereignty extends over all earthly authority and power.
  • to serve (la‘abdam, לְעָבְדָֽם): From the root ‘abad, meaning "to work, worship, serve, obey." The infinitive "to serve" denotes the purpose of the gathering. It implies a willing, active devotion, obedience, and adoration to the Lord. This is not forced subjugation but genuine reverence and participation in worship. It represents a transformed relationship, moving from rebellion or ignorance to devoted allegiance.
  • the Lord (YHWH, יְהוָה): This is the personal, covenant name of God, revealed to Israel. The explicit mention of YHWH emphasizes that the universal worship and service will be directed not to any general deity, but specifically to the God of Israel, the Creator and Redeemer, affirming His unique and ultimate claim over all creation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "when peoples...and kingdoms": This phrase dramatically broadens the scope of God's redemptive work beyond Israel. It paints a picture of universal recognition and response to the Creator. It stands in stark contrast to the common ancient worldview where gods were often perceived as localized or tribal.
  • "are gathered together...to serve": This indicates the profound purpose behind this universal assembly. It is not a chaotic or hostile gathering, but a convergence with a unifying, spiritual intent. The future service is intentional, organized, and focused entirely on the divine will, culminating in worship and obedience.

Psalm 102 22 Bonus section

The active agent behind this gathering, though not explicitly stated in "are gathered," is implicitly God Himself, orchestrating history and events towards this ultimate fulfillment. This aligns with many prophetic texts where God gathers nations for various purposes, including judgment and redemption. The verse also underscores the concept that true peace and unity among humanity will only be achieved when people collectively turn from their own agendas and serve the one true God. This eschatological vision contrasts sharply with the brokenness and divisions prevalent in human societies, offering a hope anchored in God's immutable character and unchangeable plan. The service to the Lord also implies not just worship, but an alignment of all aspects of life—social, political, and personal—to His divine will and laws.

Psalm 102 22 Commentary

Psalm 102:22 offers a profoundly hopeful prophetic outlook, envisioning a future epoch where the God of Israel will be universally recognized and worshipped. Emerging from a psalm of lament, this verse pivots towards divine triumph, illustrating that even amidst human suffering and perceived divine silence, God's eternal purposes remain firm. The assembly of "peoples and kingdoms" signifies that national, ethnic, and governmental distinctions will persist, yet their defining characteristic will be their unified worship and service to YHWH. This points to the ultimate success of God's redemptive plan, transcending any single nation and bringing all of humanity under His rightful benevolent rule. This future state embodies perfect peace, justice, and complete submission to divine authority, marking a climactic realization of God's universal dominion over all created things and all governing authorities.