Psalms 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

All they that be fat {H1879} upon earth {H776} shall eat {H398} and worship {H7812}: all they that go down {H3381} to the dust {H6083} shall bow {H3766} before {H6440} him: and none can keep alive {H2421} his own soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All who prosper on the earth will eat and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him, including him who can't keep himself alive,

Berean Standard Bible

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before Him— even those unable to preserve their lives.

American Standard Version

All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship: All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him, Even he that cannot keep his soul alive.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 22:29 stands as a profound declaration of God's universal sovereignty and the ultimate, inevitable worship He will receive from all humanity. Situated within the climactic section of Psalm 22, which transitions dramatically from a deep lament of suffering to a glorious vision of global praise, this verse portrays a future reality where every person, regardless of their earthly status or mortal condition, will acknowledge and submit to the Lord's supreme authority, recognizing their absolute dependence on Him for life itself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 22 is a remarkable messianic psalm, renowned for its dramatic shift in tone. The first twenty-one verses are a poignant lament, beginning with the agonizing cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (quoted by Jesus on the cross in [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). This section vividly describes intense suffering, humiliation, and abandonment. However, from verse 22 onwards, there is a sudden and powerful transition to praise, thanksgiving, and a sweeping prophetic vision of God's future glory and the universal recognition of His reign. Verse 29 falls squarely within this triumphant, eschatological outlook, serving as a climactic statement of the comprehensive scope of God's dominion and the worship He will receive as a result of the deliverance described earlier in the psalm. The psalm moves from the depths of individual despair to the heights of cosmic adoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, Psalm 22 reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of God's covenant faithfulness and His ultimate kingship over all nations. While the immediate historical context might involve David's own experiences of suffering and deliverance, the psalm transcends these to speak of a greater, future king and a universal kingdom. The categories of "fat upon earth" and "go down to the dust" would have been readily understood in ancient Near Eastern societies. "Fat" symbolized prosperity, health, and social standing, often associated with those who had ample resources and security. Conversely, "going down to the dust" was a common idiom for death and the grave, representing the ultimate human vulnerability and mortality. The psalm thus encompasses all strata of society and the entire human condition, from the peak of earthly success to the inevitability of death, emphasizing that none are exempt from God's ultimate claim.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 22 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Universal Worship**, emphatically stating that both the prosperous ("All they that be fat upon earth") and the humble, mortal ("all they that go down to the dust") will ultimately acknowledge and worship God. This paints a picture of comprehensive adoration, encompassing all social strata and the ultimate human condition of mortality. Secondly, the passage highlights God's **Absolute Sovereignty**, demonstrating that His rule extends over all creation and all people. No one, regardless of their earthly standing or their eventual fate, is outside His ultimate dominion, a truth echoed in passages like [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Christ"). Finally, the phrase "none can keep alive his own soul" serves as a stark reminder of **Human Mortality and Dependence**. It emphasizes that human life is not self-sustaining; our existence and ultimate destiny are entirely in God's hands, fostering humility and a recognition of divine power and grace, a theme found throughout [the wisdom literature](/proverbs/1 "Proverbs 1 - The Beginning of Wisdom") and prophetic books.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fat (Hebrew, _dāšēn_):** This word literally means "fat" or "rich," often referring to the choicest parts of sacrifices or well-fed animals. Metaphorically, as used here, it signifies those who are prosperous, wealthy, well-nourished, or living in abundance and security. The inclusion of this group emphasizes that even those who seem self-sufficient and secure in their earthly blessings will eventually come to worship God, highlighting the comprehensive nature of His future reign.
* **Go down to the dust (Hebrew, _yārad ‘āphār_):** This is a vivid and common biblical idiom for death, the grave, or the realm of the dead. It directly references the return of the human body to the earth from which it was formed, as seen in [Genesis 3:19](/genesis/3-19 "Genesis 3:19 - Return to Dust"). Its inclusion alongside "the fat upon earth" creates a merism, encompassing all humanity from the most privileged and living to the most humble and deceased, stressing that God's sovereignty extends even to the realm of mortality and beyond.
* **Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh_):** This multifaceted Hebrew term can refer to the breath, life, self, person, or inner being. In the context of "none can keep alive his own soul," it signifies one's very existence or life force. The phrase underscores human fragility and the inherent inability of any individual to preserve their own life, destiny, or spiritual vitality apart from divine intervention and sustenance. It points to absolute reliance on God for life itself and for eternal salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All [they that be] fat upon earth shall eat and worship":** This clause declares that the prosperous and powerful, those enjoying earthly abundance, will participate in a future act of worship. The act of "eating" here can signify partaking in God's provisions, enjoying fellowship with Him, or participating in a covenantal feast, all culminating in an act of adoration and submission to His reign. It signifies that worldly status offers no exemption from the call to worship.
* **"all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him":** This parallel clause extends the scope of worship to include all humanity, specifically those facing mortality and death. "Bowing before him" signifies an act of profound reverence, submission, and acknowledgment of God's supreme authority. This implies that even beyond life, in the realm of the dead, God's sovereignty will be recognized, either in willing adoration or in compelled acknowledgment.
* **"and none can keep alive his own soul":** This final clause provides the theological underpinning for the universal worship. It is a stark statement of human finitude, mortality, and utter dependence on God. No human being possesses the inherent power or self-sufficiency to preserve their own life or secure their eternal destiny. This truth humbles humanity, stripping away any pretense of self-reliance and compelling a recognition of God as the sole source of life and salvation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 22:29 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous and antithetical parallelism. The two main clauses—"All [they that be] fat upon earth shall eat and worship" and "all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him"—are parallel in structure and convey a similar message of universal submission, yet they contrast the states of the individuals. This contrast also forms a **Merism**, where two opposite or extreme parts are used to represent the whole. "The fat upon earth" (the prosperous living) and "those who go down to the dust" (the humble dead) together encompass all humanity, demonstrating the all-encompassing nature of God's dominion. The phrase "go down to the dust" is a well-known **Idiom** for death, making the abstract concept of mortality concrete and relatable. The entire verse also exhibits a sweeping, almost **Hyperbolic** universal language ("All... all... none"), emphasizing the absolute and undeniable scope of God's future reign and the worship He will receive.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the eschatological hope of God's ultimate triumph and the universal acknowledgment of His sovereignty. It reveals that God's plan extends beyond the confines of a single nation or a particular social class, encompassing all of humanity, both the living and the dead. The theological implication is profound: true life and ultimate destiny are not found in earthly prosperity or self-sufficiency, but solely in humble submission to God. The verse foreshadows a time when every knee will bow and every tongue confess God's rightful place as Lord, not merely as a forced act, but as the inevitable and just response to His divine authority and redemptive work. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's kingdom, where no corner of creation or human experience remains outside His ultimate dominion and claim to worship.

* [Isaiah 45:23](/isaiah/45-23 "Isaiah 45:23 - Every Knee Shall Bow")
* [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship")
* [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Universal Praise to God and the Lamb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 22:29 offers a profound and sobering perspective on life, death, and eternity, calling us to re-evaluate our priorities and posture before God. For those who are "fat upon earth" – enjoying prosperity, health, or influence – this verse serves as a vital reminder that worldly success is fleeting and does not exempt one from the ultimate call to worship God. True security and meaning are found not in what we accumulate, but in humble submission to the One who gives and takes away life. For those who contemplate their mortality, the truth that "all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him" provides both a challenge and a comfort. It challenges us to prepare for that ultimate encounter with our Creator, recognizing our complete dependence on Him for our very breath and eternal destiny. It comforts us with the assurance that God's sovereignty extends even over death, and His plan for universal worship will ultimately prevail. This verse compels us to live lives of humble devotion, recognizing that our purpose is to glorify God now, anticipating the day when all creation will join in His praise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the universal scope of worship in this verse challenge my perspective on worldly status or achievements?**
* **In what ways does the reminder of human mortality ("none can keep alive his own soul") deepen my dependence on God and shape my priorities?**
* **How should the ultimate triumph of God's sovereignty, as depicted here, shape my prayers, my evangelistic efforts, and my participation in His mission?**

### FAQ

**Does "eat and worship" imply a literal feast or something more symbolic?**

Answer: The phrase "eat and worship" likely carries both literal and symbolic weight. Literally, "eating" can refer to the provision of sustenance by God, acknowledging Him as the source of all life and blessing. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, eating together often symbolized covenant fellowship, peace, and shared life. Symbolically, it points to the spiritual nourishment and satisfaction found in a relationship with God, culminating in an act of worship. It suggests that those who are prosperous will not merely enjoy their earthly blessings but will recognize God as the provider and respond with adoration. This act of eating and worship stands in contrast to the inability of humanity to sustain its own life, emphasizing that all true sustenance, both physical and spiritual, comes from God.

**How does this verse relate to the idea of free will if all will eventually bow?**

Answer: This verse speaks to the ultimate, undeniable sovereignty of God, where every being will eventually acknowledge His authority. It doesn't necessarily negate free will in the present but points to an eschatological reality. While some will willingly "eat and worship" and "bow before Him" in faith and love now, others who resist will ultimately be compelled to acknowledge His Lordship, perhaps in judgment, or simply by the sheer undeniable reality of His reign. The New Testament echoes this in [Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow"), where every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord. This universal acknowledgment signifies God's absolute victory and the vindication of His righteous rule, whether it comes through joyful submission or compelled recognition of His unchallengeable power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 22:29 finds its most profound and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The first part of Psalm 22, with its agonizing cry of dereliction, is famously quoted by Jesus on the cross, marking Him as the ultimate suffering servant. It is precisely through His crucifixion, His descent into the dust of death, and His subsequent resurrection that the universal worship prophesied in verse 29 becomes possible. Jesus, the one who truly "went down to the dust" (even beyond, into the realm of the dead), is the very means by which all humanity—"the fat upon earth" and "those who go down to the dust"—can now genuinely "eat and worship" and "bow before Him" in redemptive faith. He is the one who, unlike any human, *did* "keep alive his own soul" through His resurrection, conquering death and offering eternal life to all who believe. His exaltation, as described in [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship"), ensures that every knee will bow to Him, and every tongue confess Him as Lord. Therefore, the universal worship envisioned in Psalm 22:29 is not merely a general homage to God, but a specific, Christ-centered adoration, made possible by His atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection, culminating in the grand cosmic chorus of praise to the [Lamb who was slain](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb Worthy of Worship").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 2:10

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

Psalms 45:12

And the daughter of Tyre [shall be there] with a gift; [even] the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

Psalms 113:7

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

Isaiah 26:19

Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Romans 14:10

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:12

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.