Devine Scripture

Psalms 22:3

What does Psalms 22:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 22:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 22:3 means

Despite his overwhelming sense of abandonment, the psalmist pivots to affirm God's essential character: His holiness. He acknowledges God's unique attribute of dwelling amidst and being honored by the praises of His people, Israel. This declaration is not a contradiction of his suffering but a foundational truth he clings to, indicating that his present experience does not diminish God's unchanging nature. It reveals a deep theological conviction powering his persistence in prayer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But you are holy, O you who are seated among the praises of Israel.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Thou <FI>art<Fi> holy, Sitting--the Praise of Israel.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And thou art holy, thou that dwellest amid the praises of Israel.

Context

Following his desperate cries in verses 1 and 2, this verse marks a crucial theological shift. The psalmist moves from expressing his personal anguish to affirming God's immutable character. This declaration of God's holiness and His receptiveness to Israel's praises serves as a necessary theological anchor before he further elaborates on his own suffering and God's past faithfulness.

v.2O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest not; And in the night season, and am not silent.

v.3This passage

v.4Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 4:8

    And the four living creatures, having each one of them six wings, are full of eyes round about and within: and they have no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, isthe Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.

  • Psalms 99:9

    Exalt ye Jehovah our God, And worship at his holy hill; For Jehovah our God is holy.

  • Psalms 50:23

    Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; And to him that ordereth his way aright Will I show the salvation of God.

  • Psalms 145:17

    Jehovah is righteous in all his ways, And gracious in all his works.

  • Deuteronomy 10:21

    He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

  • Isaiah 6:3

    And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

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