Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

PSALMS 22:23KJV
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Psalms 22:23 (KJV)

What does Psalms 22:23 mean?

Psalms 22:23 calls on everyone who respects and honors the LORD to praise, glorify, and stand in awe of Him, especially those descended from Jacob and Israel. The verse is a direct invitation for the people of Israel to respond to God with worship and reverence.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be David, addressing his fellow Israelites during a time of distress but also hope. After describing suffering earlier in the psalm, David now urges those who "fear the LORD"—meaning those who deeply respect God—to join in honoring Him. The verse highlights the importance of public praise and awe for God, especially among the descendants of Jacob and Israel, tying their identity to worship.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 22:23

  • "fear" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to have deep respect or reverence, not just being afraid. Here, it refers to those who recognize God's greatness and respond with honor.
  • "praise" (הָלַל, halal): This is the root for "hallelujah" and means to boast about, celebrate, or shine a light on God's greatness.
  • "glorify" (כָּבֵד, kaved): This word carries the sense of giving weight or honor to someone, treating God as truly significant.
  • "fear" (גוּר, gur): This is a different word from the first "fear" and often means to stand in awe or be deeply moved by respect, suggesting a sense of wonder or trembling before God.

Why Psalms 22:23 matters

  • Psalms 22:23 shifts the tone from personal suffering to communal praise, showing that worship is a shared response even in hard times.
  • The verse uses two different Hebrew words for "fear," highlighting both respectful reverence and a sense of awe, which deepens the understanding of what it means to "fear the LORD."
  • By addressing "the seed of Jacob" and "the seed of Israel," the verse connects worship to the identity and history of the people, reminding them of their relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“fear” Hebrew H3373 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
  • Psalms 128:1 A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.

“fear” Hebrew H1481 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
  • Numbers 22:3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
  • Psalms 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

“glorify” Hebrew H3513 · used in 109 verses

  • Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  • 2 Samuel 6:22 And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
  • Proverbs 12:9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

“praise” Hebrew H1984 · used in 140 verses

  • Genesis 12:15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
  • Psalms 63:11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
  • Psalms 148:3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.