Psalms 22:4

"But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel."

Key Reflection

The psalmist declares God's holiness against a backdrop of communal suffering and cries for help (Psalms 22:1-3). In this context, the phrase "you who inhabit the praises of Israel" would have resonated with the idea that God dwells amidst His people’s worship and devotion. For the original audience, this highlighted God's transcendent holiness as present even in their midst, despite their current distress, reinforcing the theme of divine separation from human sin while maintaining a close relationship through faith and praise.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Our fathers trusted in thee -This is a plea of the sufferer as drawn from the character which God had manifested in former times. The argument is, that he had interposed in those times when his people in trouble had called upon him; and he now pleads with God that he would manifest himself to him in the same way. The argument derives additional force also from the idea that he who now pleads was descended from them, or was of the same nation and people, and that he might call them his ancestors. As applicable to the Redeemer, the argument is that he was descended from those holy and suffering men who had trusted in God, and in whose behalf God had so often interposed.

More from Psalms 22

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