Psalms 22:29
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֨וּ׀
and worship
H7812
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֨וּ׀
and worship
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
2 of 13
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְפָנָ֣יו
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֣יו
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יִ֭כְרְעוּ
shall bow
H3766
יִ֭כְרְעוּ
shall bow
Strong's:
H3766
Word #:
7 of 13
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יוֹרְדֵ֣י
all they that go down
H3381
יוֹרְדֵ֣י
all they that go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
9 of 13
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
עָפָ֑ר
to the dust
H6083
עָפָ֑ר
to the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
10 of 13
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ
his own soul
H5315
וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ
his own soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Psalms 45:12And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.Philippians 2:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;Isaiah 26:19Thy 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.Psalms 113:7He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;Isaiah 45:23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Historical Context
This verse democratizes worship—rich and poor, powerful and weak, all stand equally before God. Ancient cultures often viewed the wealthy as divinely favored, but Scripture consistently levels such distinctions before God's throne.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that 'none can keep alive his own soul' humble human pride?
- What does universal accountability before God teach about the urgency of the gospel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Universal worship includes both 'they that be fat' (prosperous/powerful) and 'they that go down to the dust' (dying/humble)—all humanity will bow before God. The phrase 'none can keep alive his own soul' asserts human inability to self-save. Reformed theology emphasizes total depravity and absolute dependence on divine grace: no human effort, wealth, or power can secure eternal life. Only God preserves souls, and only through Christ's atoning work.