Psalm 22 31

Psalm 22:31 kjv

They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.

Psalm 22:31 nkjv

They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, That He has done this.

Psalm 22:31 niv

They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

Psalm 22:31 esv

they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

Psalm 22:31 nlt

His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
They will hear about everything he has done.

Psalm 22 verses

Psalm 22 31 Meaning

Psalm 22:31 culminates a profound journey from deep agony to triumphant praise. It proclaims that the profound act of divine deliverance and vindication—a work prophesied through the preceding verses detailing intense suffering—will be declared throughout history. "His righteousness" refers not merely to God's attribute of justice, but specifically to His salvific action, His faithfulness, and His victorious establishment of a new reality. This glorious news is intended for "a people yet unborn," emphasizing its universal and enduring impact across all future generations. The climactic phrase, "He has done it!" serves as a declaration of ultimate accomplishment, signifying a completed, decisive work of salvation initiated by God.

Psalm 22 31 Context

Psalm 22 stands as a preeminent prophetic psalm, moving from the depth of unsparing suffering to the heights of universal praise and eternal dominion. The earlier verses describe graphic and agonizing details mirroring the crucifixion of Jesus Christ: deep cries of abandonment (Psa 22:1), relentless mockery (Psa 22:7), profound physical torment including thirst, disjointed bones, and pierced hands and feet (Psa 22:14-18). It depicts the perfect, sinless servant enduring ultimate wrath.

A dramatic shift occurs in verses 22-31, moving from individual lament to communal, triumphant declaration. The "Great Hallel" of verses 22-26 celebrates God's deliverance and inspires a promise of universal worship from "all the ends of the earth" (Psa 22:27) and "all the families of the nations" (Psa 22:27) bowing before Him because "dominion belongs to the Lord" (Psa 22:28). Psalm 22:31 serves as the climactic summation of this divine work, prophesying its enduring proclamation to all future generations, cementing the finality and efficacy of God's redemptive act through the Suffering Servant. The cultural context would have been of covenant faithfulness, where God's righteous character meant His steadfast adherence to His promises, especially deliverance and justice for His people, even through unimaginable suffering. The "people yet unborn" indicates God's redemptive plan transcends time, applying to all who would believe in the future.

Psalm 22 31 Word analysis

• "They will proclaim":
  • Original Hebrew: יָבוֹאוּ וְיַגִּידוּ (yavo'u v'yaggidu) - literally "They will come and they will declare."
  • Significance: Implies active participation and witness. It's not a passive observation but a purposeful declaration. The coming implies that the testimony arises from an encounter with or understanding of God's act. This group of declarers would be those who experience or believe in the deliverance.
• "his righteousness":
  • Original Hebrew: צִדְקָתוֹ (tzidkato) - "His righteousness," from צֶדֶק (tzedeq).
  • Significance: Beyond merely a moral attribute, "righteousness" in biblical Hebrew (tzedaqah) often refers to God's saving and delivering action. It is His vindicating act on behalf of His suffering servant (Messiah) and by extension, on behalf of those who believe. It's about God being faithful to His covenant and establishing justice and right relationship through a powerful, decisive intervention. This refers specifically to God's gracious, saving plan manifested through the work accomplished.
• "declaring to a people yet unborn":
  • Original Hebrew: לְעַם נוֹלָד (l'am nolad) - literally "to a people born" or "to a people who will be born."
  • Significance: Emphasizes the universal and perpetual nature of the declaration. The truth of God's work in this psalm is not limited to David's generation or even a specific generation; it is a timeless message to be passed down through all of human history, relevant to all who will ever exist. It highlights the eternal efficacy and outreach of God's redemptive work.
• "He has done it!":
  • Original Hebrew: כִּי עָשָׂה (ki asah) - literally "for/because He has made/done/accomplished."
  • Significance: This is the definitive, triumphant climax. The perfect tense (asah) indicates a completed action with lasting results. It signifies the successful and ultimate achievement of God's redemptive plan through the Suffering Servant. It's a shout of victory, signaling that the immense cost has been paid and the glorious outcome secured. This statement stands as the summary of God's work—a complete and final act of salvation, specifically referring to the profound work depicted throughout Psalm 22 (the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, leading to the establishment of His kingdom). This declaration finds its most powerful echo in Christ's final words on the cross: "It is finished!" (John 19:30).

Words-Group Analysis:

• "They will proclaim his righteousness": This phrase highlights the message and its source. The "they" refers to those who have witnessed or understood God's salvific act, likely the redeemed and the spiritual offspring of the Suffering Servant. The "righteousness" being proclaimed is God's character revealed in His action of delivering the Suffering One and, through Him, the world. It is the core of the Gospel message.
• "declaring to a people yet unborn": This emphasizes the mission and scope. The proclamation is for a future audience, underscoring the enduring legacy and universal reach of God's accomplished work. It points to the ongoing work of evangelism and discipleship across generations. It’s a foundational truth for Christian inheritance and mission.
• "He has done it!": This is the summary and triumphant conclusion. It's the declaration of the finality and success of God's ultimate redemptive act, leaving no room for doubt or further human effort to achieve salvation. It's God's victory.

Psalm 22 31 Bonus section

The Hebrew word כִּי (ki) at the beginning of "ki asah" can be translated as "for," "because," "that," or even introduces a direct speech/emphatic statement. In this context, "He has done it!" stands as the ultimate truth to be declared, the factual basis for the proclamation of righteousness. It's a statement of assured reality. The prophetic nature of this Psalm means it's not merely a historical account, but a divine unveiling of God's future actions, prefiguring Christ's redemptive work. This is not just a general declaration of God's acts but a very specific, future-oriented proclamation of His greatest saving act which will continue to resound through time. This profound victory is what sustains the community of faith through history, providing the ultimate hope and reason for worship. The 'people yet unborn' suggests the perpetuation of the Church and the continuous expansion of God's kingdom until all nations know Him. This vision provides impetus for global missions, demonstrating that God's plan of redemption spans millennia and is intended for humanity's entirety.

Psalm 22 31 Commentary

Psalm 22:31 concludes one of the most profoundly prophetic psalms concerning the Messiah, transitioning from unparalleled suffering to a universal triumph. This verse powerfully encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message. It asserts that those who truly comprehend and have been impacted by the magnificent work of God—manifested in the vindication and triumph of His Suffering Servant (the Messiah)—will, compelled by their witness, actively proclaim this glorious truth. The object of their proclamation is "His righteousness," which encompasses not just God's perfect moral character, but specifically His saving faithfulness and definitive act of salvation completed through the Messiah's suffering, death, and resurrection. This good news is not confined to one era but is designed for "a people yet unborn," emphasizing the timeless, intergenerational, and global scope of God's redemptive plan. The culminating declaration, "He has done it!" is an exultant shout, signifying that the decisive act of salvation, the payment for sin, and the victory over death have been fully and finally accomplished by God Himself. This resonates deeply with Jesus' cry "It is finished!" (John 19:30), signaling the completion of the Father's mission on the cross. The finished work of Christ means salvation is a gift received, not earned, and this is the enduring truth to be declared to every coming generation.

• Practical Examples:
  • Parents telling their children stories of God's deliverance in their lives.
  • Missionaries sharing the Gospel (the "He has done it!" message) with unreached peoples.
  • Churches committing to biblical literacy and theological education for youth and future leaders.
  • Testimonies of conversion shared in various settings, attributing salvation solely to Christ's finished work.