They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done [this].
They shall come {H935}, and shall declare {H5046} his righteousness {H6666} unto a people {H5971} that shall be born {H3205}, that he hath done {H6213} this.
They will come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he is the one who did it.
They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn— all that He has done.
They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done it.
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Psalms 78:6
That the generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children: -
Psalms 86:9
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. -
Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. -
Psalms 102:18
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD. -
Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: -
Isaiah 44:5
One shall say, I [am] the LORD'S; and another shall call [himself] by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe [with] his hand unto the LORD, and surname [himself] by the name of Israel. -
2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Psalm 22:31 concludes a profoundly prophetic psalm, often referred to as the "Psalm of the Cross," which begins with the anguished cry of the suffering Messiah and transitions into a triumphant vision of God's universal reign and salvation.
Context
This verse is the culmination of Psalm 22, a psalm that starts with the agonizing words, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1), strikingly echoed by Jesus on the cross. The psalm vividly portrays the physical and emotional torment of the Messiah, including details like the piercing of hands and feet (Psalm 22:16), but then shifts dramatically to a declaration of God's deliverance and future worldwide worship. Verse 31 looks forward to the lasting impact of this divine work.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "declare" (יַגִּידוּ - yaggidu) implies making known, reporting, or recounting. It suggests a powerful, intentional proclamation of God's saving acts, not just a casual mention. The phrase "he hath done" (עָשָׂה - 'asah) is a strong verb indicating a completed action, emphasizing the finality and effectiveness of God's work.
Practical Application
Psalm 22:31 encourages believers to faithfully transmit the message of God's saving work to future generations. We are called to be those who "declare his righteousness," sharing the story of Christ's sacrifice and victory. It reminds us that the Gospel is not just for us but for "a people that shall be born," emphasizing the urgency and importance of evangelism and discipleship across time. It assures us that God's great work of salvation is eternally effective and will continue to impact lives until the end of time.