Psalms 22:22

¶ I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

I will declare {H5608} thy name {H8034} unto my brethren {H251}: in the midst {H8432} of the congregation {H6951} will I praise {H1984} thee.

I will proclaim your name to my kinsmen; right there in the assembly I will praise you:

I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; I will praise You in the assembly.

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: In the midst of the assembly will I praise thee.

Context

Psalms 22 is a profound Messianic Psalm that begins with the anguished cry of one deeply suffering ("My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?") and transitions dramatically to triumphant praise and declarations of God's faithfulness. Verse 22 marks a pivotal moment in this shift, as the speaker, having experienced deliverance, vows to publicly declare God's nature. While penned by King David, this psalm is widely understood to prophesy the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, making His subsequent praise and proclamation of God's name the ultimate fulfillment.

Key Themes

  • Public Proclamation of God's Character: The phrase "declare thy name" signifies more than just uttering a word; it means to make known God's entire character, His attributes, power, and faithfulness. This is not a private act but a public testimony of His goodness and deliverance.
  • Communal Worship and Praise: The commitment to praise "in the midst of the congregation" highlights the importance of corporate worship. It underscores that the declaration of God's glory is a shared experience, strengthening the community of faith and inviting others to join in adoration.
  • Messianic Fulfillment: This verse is directly quoted in the New Testament (specifically in Hebrews 2:12) and applied to Jesus Christ. It portrays Jesus, after His resurrection and triumph over death, declaring God's name to His "brethren" (His disciples and all who believe in Him), leading them in worship and praise to the Father.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "name" here is shem (שֵׁם), which in biblical thought encompasses a person's entire character, reputation, and authority. To "declare God's name" is to reveal His very being—His holiness, love, justice, and mercy—to others.
  • "Congregation" translates from the Hebrew qahal (קָהָל), which refers to an assembly or gathering, often specifically for religious purposes. This emphasizes the communal and formal aspect of the worship and testimony.

Practical Application

  • Our Call to Declare God's Name: Just as Christ declared the Father's name, believers are called to make known God's character and works to those around them. This involves sharing the Gospel, testifying to His goodness, and living lives that reflect His nature.
  • Value of Corporate Worship: This verse underscores the importance of gathering together as believers. Public worship is not merely an individual exercise but a collective declaration of God's worth, encouraging and strengthening the entire body of Christ.
  • Praise Amidst or After Suffering: The context of Psalm 22 teaches us that even after profound suffering and trials, there is a place for triumphant praise. Our declarations of God's faithfulness can be most powerful when they come from a place of having experienced His deliverance, much like the psalmist and ultimately, Christ Himself.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 2:11

    For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

  • Hebrews 2:12

    Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

  • Romans 8:29

    ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

  • Psalms 40:9

    I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.

  • Psalms 40:10

    I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

  • Psalms 71:18

    Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come.

  • Psalms 71:19

    Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high, who hast done great things: O God, who [is] like unto thee!
← Back