Psalm 22 3

Psalm 22:3 kjv

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

Psalm 22:3 nkjv

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

Psalm 22:3 niv

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.

Psalm 22:3 esv

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Psalm 22:3 nlt

Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 3 Meaning

Psalm 22:3 declares God's inherent, unchanging holiness and His unique presence among His people through their collective praise. In the midst of the psalmist's intense suffering and cries of abandonment, this verse acts as a profound statement of faith, asserting God's true nature as distinct, transcendent, and morally perfect. It presents God as actively dwelling within or being enthroned upon the adoration offered by His covenant nation, Israel, thereby establishing a fundamental truth that grounds hope even in despair.

Psalm 22 3 Context

Psalm 22 is a prophetic psalm, often referred to as a "Messianic Psalm," deeply anticipating the suffering, crucifixion, and ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ. It begins with the iconic cry of dereliction (Psa 22:1-2), expressing intense anguish and a feeling of being forsaken by God. Verse 3, however, abruptly shifts from the psalmist's personal despair to a declaration of God's character. This assertion of God's holiness and His dwelling in praise serves as a foundational theological statement, anchoring the psalmist's hope not in his current experience, but in God's immutable nature. Historically, this psalm reflects the deep lament practices common in ancient Israel, where an individual would appeal to God during distress, often reaffirming God's power and faithfulness as a basis for renewed hope. The mention of "Israel" emphasizes the collective, corporate identity of God's covenant people.

Psalm 22 3 Word analysis

• Yet/But (אַךְ - ʾakh): This conjunctive particle signifies a strong contrast or opposition. After the cries of abandonment and despair in verses 1-2, it dramatically pivots the focus. It introduces an undeniable truth about God that stands firm despite the psalmist's suffering, asserting that despite all appearances, God is holy.
• You (אַתָּה - ʾattah): The emphatic personal pronoun "You" directly addresses God, making the statement intensely personal and focused on His character. It stresses God's individual personhood in contrast to the psalmist's felt absence.
• Are holy (קָדוֹשׁ - qadosh): The Hebrew word qadosh conveys the fundamental idea of being "set apart," distinct, separate, and sacred. It speaks of God's absolute transcendence, His moral purity, and His inherent otherness from creation and human sin. This attribute is foundational to understanding God's nature throughout Scripture (e.g., Isa 6:3).
• Enthroned/Inhabits (יוֹשֵׁב - yoshev): Derived from the verb yashav meaning "to sit," "to dwell," "to inhabit," or "to remain." In the context of praise, "enthroned" is a common and strong translation (ESV, NIV). It implies a royal, majestic posture and ongoing rule. God is not merely present but sovereignly present, reigning in or through the praises of His people. It signifies a stable, enduring, and active dwelling.
• Praises (תְּהִלּוֹת - tehillot): The plural form of tehillah, meaning "praise," "song of praise," "hymn," or "adoration." The plural emphasizes the totality and continuity of Israel's adoration, perhaps individual acts of praise compounding into a corporate atmosphere. God dwells in, and is exalted by, the cumulative praise of His people.
• Of Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisrael): Refers to the collective covenant people of God. This indicates that God's enthronement in praise is not merely an individual experience but is manifested and experienced corporately within His chosen nation. It speaks to the community of faith's vital role in acknowledging and drawing God's presence.

• "Yet you are holy": This phrase asserts God's intrinsic and unchangeable character as distinct from His creation, perfect in purity, and beyond human comprehension. This declaration stands in stark contrast to the psalmist's opening cries, where God seems distant or unresponsive. It reaffirms a non-negotiable theological truth that anchors faith.
• "Enthroned on the praises of Israel": This powerful anthropomorphism illustrates God's intimate relationship with His people's worship. It does not suggest that praise creates God's presence or limits Him, but rather that collective praise forms the environment or 'seat' where God specifically manifests His active, reigning presence among them. It signifies that genuine worship is the avenue through which God's holiness is recognized and His sovereignty expressed within the community of faith. This imagery underlines that praise is not just words, but a living sanctuary where God delights to reveal Himself and govern.

Psalm 22 3 Bonus section

The concept of God being "enthroned on the praises of Israel" also carries a nuanced theological meaning that connects to the fulfillment in Christ. In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant, with its mercy seat, was often described as the "throne" or dwelling place of God (Exo 25:22). This physical representation was critical for the worship life of Israel. Psalm 22:3 subtly shifts this from a physical object to a spiritual posture: the praise of His people becomes God's "throne." This anticipates the New Covenant reality where God no longer primarily dwells in a physical temple made with hands, but within the gathered body of believers (2 Cor 6:16) and individually in their hearts through the Holy Spirit. Christian worship, then, becomes the new "spiritual sacrifice" (1 Pet 2:5, Heb 13:15) where God's presence is powerfully manifested, fulfilling the essence of this Old Testament promise. This psalm's deep suffering foreshadows the Messiah's crucifixion, which paradoxically leads to the ultimate "praise of Israel" — a redeemed humanity worshiping God through Him (John 4:23-24).

Psalm 22 3 Commentary

Psalm 22:3 serves as a crucial theological anchor within a psalm of intense distress. Despite the psalmist's feelings of abandonment, he does not waver in declaring God's fundamental nature: God is holy, supremely set apart from human frailty and suffering. This holiness is not static; it is dynamically engaged as God makes His dwelling, or is "enthroned," within the genuine praises of His people, Israel. This means that sincere adoration by God's covenant community becomes the very atmosphere where His sovereign presence is manifest. The verse underscores that God's character is independent of human circumstance or emotion, providing a firm foundation for faith even when all feels lost. It offers a powerful reminder that amidst trial, acknowledging God's unchangeable holiness and offering Him praise shifts perspective, inviting His tangible presence and reign.

• Example: When facing deep anxiety or suffering, a Christian might consciously shift from dwelling on their problem to declaring God's attributes, recalling His holiness and sovereignty through worship and prayer, inviting His peace to reign.
• Example: A community enduring collective hardship might find renewed strength not by ignoring their pain, but by coming together in corporate worship, praising God in the midst of their brokenness, and experiencing His presence enthroned in their praise.