Psalm 22 25

Psalm 22:25 kjv

My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

Psalm 22:25 nkjv

My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.

Psalm 22:25 niv

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.

Psalm 22:25 esv

From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

Psalm 22:25 nlt

I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 25 Meaning

Psalm 22:25 declares God's steadfast compassion and responsiveness to the suffering. Despite intense affliction and feelings of abandonment, the psalmist affirms that God neither disdains nor rejects the distress of the afflicted. God does not withdraw His presence, but rather actively hears and responds when the distressed cry out to Him. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of faith in God's faithful character amidst deep suffering, underscoring His attentive care and ultimate vindication for those who call upon Him.

Psalm 22 25 Context

Psalm 22 is one of the most poignant psalms, a lament that transitions dramatically into praise. The early verses are famous for their opening, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (v. 1), vividly portraying intense suffering, humiliation, and feeling utterly abandoned by God and humanity. The psalmist describes his affliction with visceral imagery: surrounded by enemies, strength withered, bones out of joint. This lament reflects the raw cry of profound distress.

Verse 25 marks a crucial turning point. After cataloging his suffering and appealing to God's past deliverances (vv. 4-5, 9-10), the psalmist moves from agonizing questions to a confident affirmation of God's character. The declaration in verse 25 is not merely a statement about the past; it is a confession of faith that triumphs over despair, rooted in a deep understanding of God's unwavering faithfulness. This shift from complaint to confidence, from apparent abandonment to experienced deliverance, sets the stage for the subsequent verses (vv. 26-31), which describe widespread praise, global worship, and future generations remembering the Lord.

Historically and culturally, ancient Israelite lament psalms often reflected both individual and communal distress, where direct appeals to God were vital. The act of "hiding the face" of God was a devastating theological concept, signifying His displeasure, withdrawal of favor, or judgment (e.g., Deut 31:17; Ps 13:1). Thus, the affirmation "neither hath he hid his face from him" (Ps 22:25) is a profound statement of divine fidelity, counteracting the feeling of divine desertion. This verse subtly yet strongly counters any belief that suffering is evidence of God's permanent contempt or indifference, or that God remains distant and unresponsive to sincere pleas. It reinforces the distinct biblical truth of a compassionate, intervening God who is present in, not aloof from, the suffering of His people.

Psalm 22 25 Word analysis

• For he hath not despised (כִּ֭י לֹא־בָזָה - ki lo-vazah):

  • לֹא־בָזָה (lo-vazah): "not despised," "not disdained," "not held in contempt."
  • Bazah (בָּזָה) means to treat as trivial, to scorn, to count as nothing, or to show contempt.
  • Significance: This strongly negates any idea that God views the suffering of the psalmist (or humanity) with scorn or indifference. He does not belittle their pain.

• nor abhorred (וְלֹא שִׁקַּץ - v'lo shiqats):

  • וְלֹא שִׁקַּץ (v'lo shiqats): "nor detested," "nor loathed," "nor made abominable."
  • Shaqats (שָׁקַץ) implies an even stronger negative emotion than bazah, indicating utter disgust or revulsion, typically used for abominable things or idols (e.g., Lev 11:10).
  • Significance: By denying that God "abhorred," the psalmist refutes the notion that his suffering was a result of something utterly disgusting in God's sight that repelled Him. God's holiness does not make Him distant from, or repulsed by, human suffering.

• the affliction of the afflicted (עֱנוּת עָנִי - anut ani):

  • עֱנוּת (anut): "affliction," "distress," "humiliation," "misery."
  • עָנִי (ani): "afflicted one," "humble one," "poor," "oppressed." It can refer to physical, social, or spiritual destitution.
  • Significance: This phrase highlights the profound state of suffering and vulnerability. God does not reject the suffering itself nor the person who suffers. It underscores God's deep concern for the marginalized and hurting. The identity of "the afflicted" is central.

• neither hath he hid his face from him (וְלֹא הִסְתִּיר פָּנָיו מִמֶּנּוּ - v'lo histir panav mimmennu):

  • הִסְתִּיר פָּנָיו (histir panav): "hide His face." This is a Hebrew idiom meaning to withdraw presence, favor, help, or protection; to refuse to look upon or acknowledge; sometimes associated with judgment or abandonment.
  • מִמֶּנּוּ (mimmennu): "from him."
  • Significance: The absence of God's hidden face means His presence, attention, and favor are maintained. Despite feelings of abandonment, God was always attentive, present, and ready to respond, affirming His unfailing faithfulness even when the sufferer could not perceive it. This contrasts sharply with the lament in Ps 10:1: "Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?"

• but when he cried unto him (וּבְשַׁוְּעוֹ אֵלָיו - uv'shav'o elav):

  • וּבְשַׁוְּעוֹ (uv'shav'o): "but when he cried for help." Shavva (from שׁוע, shava') is a cry for aid, often a desperate call in distress or a plea for justice.
  • אֵלָיו (elav): "unto him," emphasizing the direction of the cry directly to God.
  • Significance: This highlights the act of calling upon God in desperate need. It suggests a direct, personal plea, emphasizing that God's responsiveness is contingent on the act of sincere supplication. It affirms the power and importance of prayer.

• he heard (שָׁמֵעַ - shamea):

  • שָׁמֵעַ (shamea): "he heard," "he listened," often implying "he answered" or "he responded."
  • Shama (שָׁמַע) in Hebrew often carries the connotation of not just perceiving sound but also of paying attention to and acting upon what is heard.
  • Significance: This climactic word declares God's effective and compassionate response. It means God was attentive and intervened or brought about the change desired by the cry. This demonstrates God's active involvement and care for His people in their distress.

• Word Group: "not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted": This phrase asserts God's ultimate affirmation of suffering humanity. He does not dismiss pain as inconsequential nor is He repulsed by it. It reveals God's tender-heartedness and compassion, especially for the vulnerable, highlighting a divine empathy.

• Word Group: "neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard": This powerfully contrasts perceived divine absence with actual divine presence and responsiveness. The shift from a passive withdrawal (hidden face) to an active engagement (heard the cry) showcases God's faithfulness. It emphasizes that God's perceived distance in suffering does not equate to His actual indifference; rather, He remains attentive and hears the genuine pleas of His people. This confirms the efficacy of prayer and God's consistent readiness to act on behalf of those who turn to Him.

Psalm 22 25 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a crucial truth about God's immanence and mercy. It's not that suffering disappears; rather, it is experienced within the embrace of a God who deeply cares and intervenes. The "hearing" is not always an immediate cessation of pain but can involve the granting of strength to endure, wisdom in navigating the hardship, or ultimate deliverance and vindication beyond the present affliction (as seen in Christ's resurrection). The journey from the desperate "Why?" to the confident "He heard" forms the blueprint for how faith navigates intense hardship, testifying that the lament itself, if directed to God, is heard and acknowledged by a compassionate Father. This passage affirms that God's fidelity transcends human perception of abandonment.

Psalm 22 25 Commentary

Psalm 22:25 stands as a profound theological declaration and a pivotal moment within a psalm renowned for its depiction of intense suffering and the feeling of divine abandonment. Despite the raw and agonizing lament that begins the psalm ("My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"), this verse firmly asserts God's true nature and action. It reveals that the perception of God's desertion (which resonates deeply with the cries of Christ on the cross) was not an ultimate reality of His character.

The verse is a forceful triple negative followed by a powerful affirmation: God has not despised, not abhorred the suffering, and not hidden His face. These strong denials directly confront the fear that God is uncaring, disgusted by, or absent from the pain of His people. Instead, the final clause "but when he cried unto him, he heard" climactically declares God's unfailing attentiveness and intervention. The "hearing" implies not just a listening ear but an active, responsive engagement, leading to eventual deliverance and vindication.

This verse therefore represents a shift from a crisis of faith (as expressed in the early verses) to a triumphant affirmation of faith. It shows that even through profound and existential suffering, the believer can cling to the unwavering truth of God's compassion and faithfulness. It teaches that while God may permit suffering, He never despises the sufferer nor fails to hear their cries. For Christian interpretation, Psalm 22 is inextricably linked to the Passion of Christ. This verse points to God's ultimate vindication of Jesus, hearing His prayers (Heb 5:7-8), not despising His immense suffering, and ultimately raising Him from the dead, demonstrating that even through the cross, God did not abandon His Son.