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Psalms 22:29

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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.

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}.

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,

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.

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

Psalm 22:29 is a powerful declaration of God's universal sovereignty and the ultimate worship He will receive from all humanity. This verse is part of the climactic section of Psalm 22, which transitions from a profound lament of suffering (often seen as a prophetic picture of Christ's crucifixion) to a glorious vision of global worship and God's enduring kingdom.

Context

Psalm 22 is a remarkable messianic psalm. It begins with the agonizing cry, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (quoted by Jesus on the cross in Matthew 27:46). The first part of the psalm details intense suffering and humiliation. However, from verse 22 onwards, there is a dramatic shift to praise, thanksgiving, and a prophetic outlook on God's future glory and the universal recognition of His reign. Verse 29 falls squarely within this prophetic vision, portraying a time when all people, regardless of their earthly status, will acknowledge and worship the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Universal Worship: The verse emphatically states that "All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship" and "all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him." This highlights that both the prosperous and powerful ("fat upon earth") and the humble and dying ("go down to the dust") will ultimately acknowledge God's supreme authority. It paints a picture of comprehensive adoration, encompassing all social strata and even the ultimate human condition of mortality.
  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: This passage underscores that God's rule extends over all creation and all people. No one, regardless of their earthly standing or their eventual fate, is outside His ultimate dominion. This aligns with other prophecies of universal submission to God, such as Philippians 2:10-11, where "every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."
  • Human Mortality and Dependence: The phrase "none can keep alive his own soul" is a stark reminder of human fragility and dependence on God. It emphasizes that human life is not self-sustaining; our existence and ultimate destiny are in God's hands. This truth humbles humanity, prompting a recognition of divine power and grace.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "fat upon earth" (Hebrew: d_sh_n - דשן) metaphorically refers to those who are prosperous, wealthy, or well-fed. It signifies abundance and security, contrasting with those who are poor or suffering. The inclusion of this group emphasizes that even those who seem self-sufficient will eventually come to worship God.
  • "Go down to the dust" is a common biblical idiom for death or the grave (compare Genesis 3:19). It represents all humanity facing mortality, stressing that the reach of God's sovereignty extends even to the realm of death and beyond.
  • "Keep alive his own soul" uses the Hebrew word nephesh (נפש), which can mean soul, life, or person. The verse powerfully states that no one has the inherent ability to preserve their own life or eternal destiny, highlighting absolute reliance on God.

Practical Application

Psalm 22:29 offers a profound perspective on life and eternity. For the believer, it provides comfort and assurance that God's plan for universal worship and dominion will ultimately prevail, even amidst present suffering or injustice. It calls us to humble ourselves before God, recognizing our complete dependence on Him for life, sustenance, and salvation. This verse reminds us that worldly status or wealth offers no exemption from God's ultimate judgment or the call to worship. Instead, it urges all people to seek Him and acknowledge His supreme authority while there is still opportunity, understanding that true life and destiny are found only in Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Philippians 2:10 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • Psalms 113:7 (4 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 26:19 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Revelation 20:12 (3 votes)

    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.