Psalms 22:27-31

Psalms 22:27-31

[27] All the ends  of the world  shall remember  and turn  unto the LORD:  and all the kindreds  of the nations  shall worship  before  [28] For the kingdom  is the LORD'S:  and he is the governor  among the nations.  [29] 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.  [30] A seed  shall serve  him; it shall be accounted  to the Lord  for a generation.  [31] They shall come,  and shall declare  his righteousness  unto a people  that shall be born,  that he hath done 

What does Psalms 22:27-31 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

God"s purpose for Israel was that she be a kingdom of priests by mediating the knowledge of God to all people, and by bringing all people into a relationship with God ( Exodus 19:6). David had an unhindered view of this purpose, as is clear from this expression of his concern that God"s deliverance of him would result in the Gentiles turning to Yahweh in faith. After all, Yahweh is the sovereign King who rules over all nations, not just Israel ( Psalm 22:28). All people will bow before Him, whether they are rich or dying ( Psalm 22:29). David believed his testimony of God delivering him from death would influence later generations of people to trust in the Lord. Because God has preserved this record in Scripture, it has encouraged all succeeding generations to do so. The record of God delivering Jesus Christ when He cried for salvation from death ( Hebrews 5:7) and God hearing and resurrecting Him has encouraged many more to put their confidence in David"s God. The last phrase ( Psalm 22:31), "He has performed it," is similar to our Lord"s cry, "It is finished" ( John 19:30).
This is one of the Messianic psalms (cf. Psalm 22:27-30 with Acts 2:30-31 and Philippians 2:8-11; and Philippians 2:22; Philippians 2:25 with Hebrews 2:12). VanGemeren considered it an individual lament that contains thanksgiving. [1] It became clear later, that it not only recorded actual events in the life of David, but also predicted events in the life of David"s greatest Song of Solomon , the Messiah, Jesus Christ. David probably described many of his own sufferings figuratively, but his descriptions happened literally in the sufferings, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some commentators believed that David did not experience anything like what he described in this Psalm , but that his words were totally predictive of Messiah. [2] Interestingly, there is no confession of sin or imprecation on enemies in this psalm. Our Lord"s cross sufferings were also free of these elements. [2]1
God"s people of all ages can learn from this psalm. Even though it may appear that the Lord has forgotten and forsaken us in times of extreme persecution, we can count on Him delivering us from death in answer to our prayers. Our rescue may come through the prolongation of our lives, as in David"s case, or through resurrection, as in the case of our Lord. With this assurance of deliverance, we can praise God even today, and encourage others to trust in and worship Him as well. [4]