Psalm 22 29

Psalm 22:29 kjv

All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

Psalm 22:29 nkjv

All the prosperous of the earth Shall eat and worship; All those who go down to the dust Shall bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep himself alive.

Psalm 22:29 niv

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him? those who cannot keep themselves alive.

Psalm 22:29 esv

All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.

Psalm 22:29 nlt

Let the rich of the earth feast and worship.
Bow before him, all who are mortal,
all whose lives will end as dust.

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 29 Meaning

Psalm 22:29 proclaims a future universal worship where all people, regardless of their status – the prosperous and the perishing – will humbly acknowledge God's sovereignty and authority. It underscores the ultimate power of God, asserting that true life and salvation are not found in human capability or earthly wealth, but solely in Him, compelling all to bow before His divine reign.

Psalm 22 29 Context

Psalm 22 is a profound Messianic psalm. The first half (vv. 1-21) is a desperate cry of a suffering individual, famously beginning with "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?", a lament spoken by Jesus on the cross. It details intense agony, mocking, and physical exhaustion, widely seen as a prophetic portrayal of Christ's crucifixion. The second half (vv. 22-31), where verse 29 resides, marks a dramatic shift from lament to praise, thanksgiving, and an expansive vision of God's universal kingdom. It transitions from individual suffering to global proclamation, indicating that the speaker's vindication will lead to worldwide recognition and worship of God. This particular verse expands on the idea that the "kingdom shall be the Lord's" (v. 28), encompassing all social strata and even those on the brink of death.

Psalm 22 29 Word analysis

• All they that be fat upon earth: Hebrew dīšĕnê-’erĕts (דִּשְׁנֵי־אֶרֶץ). dīšĕnê derives from dāshen, meaning fat, rich, prosperous, or anointed. Here it signifies the wealthy, the influential, those who enjoy earthly abundance and comfort. It speaks of the full spectrum of humanity, including those who seem self-sufficient. In the ancient world, fatness often signified blessing and prosperity from God, not necessarily gluttony.
• shall eat: Hebrew yō’ḵəlû (יֹאכְלוּ), from ’ākhal, "to eat." This is not merely physical consumption but can signify participating in, benefiting from, or experiencing. In the context of a divine kingdom and covenant, it implies partaking of God's provision and spiritual blessings, possibly at a great feast (like the Messianic banquet). It suggests sustenance that goes beyond physical food, hinting at the life-giving essence of God's presence.
• and worship: Hebrew wəyištachăwû (וְיִשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ), from shachah, meaning to bow down, prostrate oneself, do obeisance, or worship. This verb consistently describes an act of humble submission and adoration before God or a superior. It is the definitive action of worship, denoting acknowledging ultimate authority and glory.
• All they that go down to the dust: Hebrew kāl-yōrədê ’āpār (כָּל־יוֹרְדֵי עָפָר). "Go down" (yōrədê from yarad) implies a descent into the grave or condition of death. "Dust" (‘āpār) refers to the common material of the earth from which humanity was created (Gen 2:7) and to which all will return (Eccles 3:20). This phrase powerfully describes the dying, the frail, the forgotten, and ultimately, all mortals who face physical death. It starkly contrasts "the fat," emphasizing that no one is exempt from mortality.
• shall bow before him: This is a repetition of wəyištachăwû (וְיִשְׁתַּחֲווּ) meaning "and they shall bow down." The repetition reinforces the certainty and universality of this submission, emphasizing that whether one is prosperous or on their deathbed, all will ultimately submit to God. It highlights the absolute sovereignty of God over life and death.
• and none can keep alive his own soul: Hebrew wə-naphšô lō’ ḥiyyāh (וְנַפְשׁוֹ לֹא חִיָּה). Naphšô means "his soul" or "his life" or "his very being." Ḥiyyāh (from ḥāyāh) means to keep alive, preserve life, restore life, or quicken. This phrase means "and he cannot keep his own soul alive" or "he cannot preserve his own life." It underscores human powerlessness over death and their absolute dependence on God for ultimate life and salvation. It denies the possibility of self-salvation or immortality apart from divine power, connecting deeply to the context of the suffering Messiah and His ultimate victory over death. It may also imply that apart from the Lord, none can sustain their spirit.

Words-group analysis:

• "All they that be fat upon earth... and All they that go down to the dust...": This antithetical parallelism stresses the inclusiveness of God's future reign. It breaks down the traditional social hierarchy and biological divide, demonstrating that God's sovereignty encompasses everyone – the rich and the poor, the robust and the frail, the living and the dying. This underlines the profound impartiality and absolute dominion of God.
• "...shall eat and worship... shall bow before him": The conjunction of "eating" and "worshiping" suggests a celebratory and redemptive feasting within the context of humble adoration. This imagery hints at fellowship with God, receiving spiritual nourishment, and a joyful participation in His kingdom. The repeated act of bowing emphasizes complete submission and homage.
• "...none can keep alive his own soul": This clause serves as the theological underpinning for the universal worship. Because human life is fragile, fleeting, and ultimately beyond self-preservation, reliance shifts entirely to the One who possesses power over life and death. This power dynamic necessitates universal worship, as true life comes only from God, particularly in the New Covenant understanding, through the victory of Christ over death.

Psalm 22 29 Bonus section

This verse's profound scope hints at the eschatological universality of Christ's kingdom. Building on the preceding verse ("For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations"), it confirms that the ultimate victory stemming from the Messiah's suffering will result in worldwide submission. This concept is robustly echoed in the New Testament (e.g., Php 2:9-11; Rev 5:13), where the resurrected and exalted Christ receives this very worship from "every creature." The specific inclusion of "all they that go down to the dust" could imply resurrection or, at the very least, God's ultimate dominion even over the dead. It suggests that ultimately, no human condition—neither affluence nor physical decay—will exclude one from the recognition of God’s absolute power and Lordship. This foretells a glorious future where every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord, bringing glory to God the Father.

Psalm 22 29 Commentary

Psalm 22:29 stands as a pivotal statement in a psalm renowned for its prophetic fulfillment in Christ. After portraying intense suffering, the psalm bursts forth with a vision of God's universal triumph. This verse prophesies a future time when all humanity will acknowledge the Lord's supreme authority. It intentionally bridges the starkest human conditions: "the fat upon earth," representing the privileged and powerful, and "those that go down to the dust," representing the humble, the perishing, or the dead. Neither earthly status nor mortal limitations will prevent this homage.

The act of "eating and worshipping" for the prosperous might imply partaking in God's abundant spiritual feast and giving thanks for His blessings. For "those who go down to the dust," it underscores that even in the face of ultimate human helplessness (death), God’s power extends, perhaps hinting at resurrection and eternal life only granted by Him. The final phrase, "none can keep alive his own soul," cements human dependence on God for ultimate preservation and salvation. This is deeply profound given the Psalm's Messianic context: the suffering servant (Christ) experiences utter desolation, yet through His resurrection, He provides true life and enables universal worship. The future worship prophesied here is not optional but a recognition of divine reality – life itself depends on the God who will one day demand (and receive) the prostration of every knee.

Practical usage:

• Humility: A reminder that regardless of earthly wealth or position, all will stand equal before God.
• Trust: In the face of death and mortality, our hope for true life rests solely in God's power.
• Evangelism: A call to share the message of salvation, knowing that God's plan is for all to acknowledge Him.