Psalm 22 26

Psalm 22:26 kjv

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Psalm 22:26 nkjv

The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever!

Psalm 22:26 niv

The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him? may your hearts live forever!

Psalm 22:26 esv

The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!

Psalm 22:26 nlt

The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the LORD will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 26 Meaning

Psalm 22:26 speaks to the blessed state of the humble and devoted who participate in God's abundant provision. It depicts spiritual sustenance and deep satisfaction for those who earnestly seek the Lord, culminating in joyful praise and the promise of eternal spiritual vitality. This verse transitions the psalm from intense suffering to a broad vision of redemption and worship.

Psalm 22 26 Context

Psalm 22 stands as a profound Messianic psalm, transitioning dramatically from a cry of dereliction and intense suffering in its first half (vv. 1-21), powerfully fulfilled in Jesus Christ's crucifixion, to a triumphant declaration of universal praise and God's sovereign reign in its second half (vv. 22-31). Verse 26 falls within this latter section, following the afflicted one's (Christ's) commitment to declare God's name and gather praise from all corners of the earth. It portrays the glorious outcome for those who respond to God's redemptive work—a spiritual feast and enduring life. Historically, while applicable to David's personal experience of deliverance and thanksgiving, its language stretches beyond to encompass a broader, eternal, and globally inclusive fulfillment anticipated in the Gospel.

Psalm 22 26 Word analysis

• The meek (עֲנָוִים, ‘anavim): Refers to the humble, afflicted, or poor. Not necessarily economically poor, but those who acknowledge their dependence on God and submit to His will, often as a result of suffering. This group stands in contrast to the proud and self-sufficient.
• shall eat (יֹאכְלוּ, yokhelu): Beyond mere physical consumption, this signifies partaking in spiritual sustenance and provision. In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal symbolized fellowship, covenant, and deep connection. It implies receiving blessings, sustenance for the soul, and participation in God's salvific work.
• and be satisfied (וְיִשְׂבָּעוּ, v'yisba'u): To be filled to the point of complete contentment and cessation of hunger. Spiritually, it denotes true fulfillment and deep joy that only God can provide, unlike the transient satisfaction offered by the world. It suggests an abundance of grace, wisdom, and peace.
• Those who seek Him (דֹרְשֵׁי יְהוָה, dor’shei Yahweh): Implies an earnest, diligent, and active pursuit of God. It's not passive acknowledgment but a heartfelt quest for relationship, understanding His will, and desiring His presence. "Him" directly refers to YHWH, the covenant name of God.
• will praise the LORD (יְהַלְלוּ יְהוָה, yehallelû Yahweh): The natural and overflowing response of those who have found satisfaction in God. "Praise" (halal) is to declare His worth, magnify His name, and express adoration for His mighty acts and character. This links back to the psalm's triumphant turn.
• Let your heart live forever (יְחִי לְבַבְכֶם לָעַד, yehi l'vavchem la'ad): A declaration, a wish, or a blessing for eternal spiritual vitality. "Heart" (levav) encompasses the totality of a person's inner being: mind, will, emotions, and spirit. "Live" (ḥayah) means to be vivified, to thrive, to flourish spiritually, suggesting more than mere existence. "Forever" (la'ad) denotes perpetual endurance and eternal flourishing. This phrase signifies a blessed, enduring, and spiritually vital existence in fellowship with God.

Psalm 22 26 Bonus section

The "eating" described here resonates with the Old Testament concept of fellowship meals (e.g., peace offerings, covenant meals) where partakers shared in sacred food as a sign of their communion with God. This foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Lord's Supper, where believers partake in the symbols of Christ's body and blood, signifying spiritual nourishment and union with Him. The idea of the "heart living forever" also alludes to the eternal life offered through Christ, not just a duration of existence but a quality of spiritual vibrancy that begins now and endures throughout eternity. It suggests an eternal spiritual communion with God for His redeemed people, a theme prominent in eschatological prophecies of God dwelling among His people in the new heavens and new earth.

Psalm 22 26 Commentary

Psalm 22:26 captures a profound truth about God's generous character and the experience of those devoted to Him. After the excruciating suffering depicted in the first half of the psalm, this verse offers a contrasting picture of abundant spiritual nourishment. It prophesies that "the meek"—those who are humble and receptive, often refined through suffering—will find a deep, satisfying provision from God that transcends mere physical sustenance. This spiritual "eating" signifies participation in a divine banquet of grace, wisdom, and fellowship. The immediate result of such satisfaction is profound praise. Those who actively and sincerely "seek the LORD" will experience His goodness and naturally erupt in adoration. The verse culminates in a blessing: "Let your heart live forever!" This is a wish and a promise that the inner being of the seeker will be eternally vibrant and fruitful through an unending relationship with God. This divine life is a gift, rooted in the redemptive work foreseen throughout the psalm, ultimately fulfilled in the cross and resurrection of Christ. It underscores that true spiritual flourishing is found in humility, persistent seeking, and grateful praise for God's immeasurable provision.