Psalm 22:3
Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Yet You are holy
The phrase begins with an acknowledgment of God's holiness. The Hebrew word for "holy" is "qadosh," which signifies being set apart, pure, and sacred. In the context of ancient Israel, holiness was a central attribute of God, distinguishing Him from all other beings and deities. This acknowledgment serves as a reminder of God's perfect nature and His separation from sin. The psalmist, despite his suffering, recognizes that God's character remains unblemished and worthy of reverence. This understanding of God's holiness is foundational in conservative Christian theology, emphasizing God's moral perfection and the call for believers to pursue holiness in their own lives.

enthroned on the praises of Israel
The imagery of God being "enthroned" suggests sovereignty and kingship. The Hebrew word "yashab" can mean to sit, dwell, or remain, indicating a position of authority and permanence. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a throne was a symbol of power and rule. Here, God is depicted as reigning amidst the praises of His people, Israel. This reflects the idea that worship and adoration are not just acts of devotion but also acknowledgments of God's rightful place as King. The "praises of Israel" refer to the collective worship and adoration offered by the nation, which historically included songs, sacrifices, and prayers. This phrase underscores the importance of communal worship in the life of the believer and the church, highlighting that God is glorified and His presence is manifested when His people come together in praise. In a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a call to prioritize worship and recognize its power in affirming God's rule and presence in the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 22, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. This psalm is a prophetic and messianic psalm, often seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's suffering.

2. Israel
The nation chosen by God, representing His covenant people. In this context, Israel's praises are seen as a throne for God, highlighting the communal worship and reverence of God by His people.

3. God
The central figure of the psalm, depicted as holy and worthy of praise. His holiness is emphasized as being distinct and set apart, deserving of the worship of His people.
Teaching Points
God's Holiness
God's holiness is central to His nature. It is a reminder of His purity, righteousness, and otherness. As believers, we are called to reflect on His holiness in our worship and daily lives.

The Power of Praise
Praise is not just an act of worship but a throne for God. When we praise, we invite God's presence into our midst, acknowledging His sovereignty and majesty.

Community Worship
The collective praises of God's people create a dwelling place for Him. This emphasizes the importance of gathering together in worship, as our united voices exalt God.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Even in times of distress, as David experienced, recognizing God's holiness and enthronement through praise can bring comfort and assurance of His control over all circumstances.

Living a Life of Worship
Worship is not confined to songs or gatherings but is a lifestyle. Our actions, words, and thoughts should continually reflect God's holiness and our reverence for Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's holiness influence your personal worship and relationship with Him?

2. In what ways can you incorporate praise into your daily routine to acknowledge God's sovereignty in your life?

3. How does the concept of God being "enthroned on the praises of Israel" challenge or encourage you in your participation in communal worship?

4. Reflect on a time when praising God in difficult circumstances brought you peace or clarity. How can this experience shape your future responses to trials?

5. How can you encourage others in your community to live a life of worship that reflects God's holiness? What practical steps can you take to foster a culture of praise in your church or small group?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 99:9
This verse also speaks of God's holiness and His enthronement, reinforcing the idea that God is exalted through the praises of His people.

Isaiah 6:3
The seraphim proclaim God's holiness, echoing the theme of God's distinct and pure nature, which is central to His character and worthy of worship.

Revelation 4:8-11
The heavenly scene of worship where God's holiness is continually proclaimed, showing the eternal nature of God's holiness and the perpetual praise He receives.
A Habitation of GodH. Melvill, B. D.Psalm 22:3
The Cry of Despair Struggling with the Cry of FaithC. Short Psalm 22:1-10
A Picture of Suffering SainthoodD. Thomas, D. D.Psalm 22:1-31
A Struggle from the Gloom of Adversity to Peace and JoyW. Forsyth Psalm 22:1-31
Christ Forsaken of His FatherW. Pakenham Walsh, D. D.Psalm 22:1-31
Forsaken of God, But not FinallyS. Bridge.Psalm 22:1-31
From Darkness to Light; Or, the Song of the Early DawnC. Clemance Psalm 22:1-31
Summary of ContentsJohn Stevenson.Psalm 22:1-31
The Great Sufferer and His ReliefTalbot W. Chambers, D. D.Psalm 22:1-31
The Prophetic Image of the Prince of SufferersA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 22:1-31
The Saint Forsaken in What SenseJ. Cumming.Psalm 22:1-31
The Withdrawal of God's Sustaining Presence from the Divine SonDavid Caldwell, A. M.Psalm 22:1-31
People
David, Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Amid, Dwellest, Enthroned, Holy, Inhabit, Inhabitest, O, Praise, Praises, Seated, Sitting, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 22:3

     1065   God, holiness of
     8608   prayer, and worship

Psalm 22:1-18

     8797   persecution, attitudes

Library
Feasting on the Sacrifice
'The meek shall eat and be satisfied.'--PSALM xxii. 26. 'The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offering for thanksgiving shall be offered in the day of his oblation.' Such was the law for Israel. And the custom of sacrificial feasts, which it embodies, was common to many lands. To such a custom my text alludes; for the Psalmist has just been speaking of 'paying his vows' (that is, sacrifices which he had vowed in the time of his trouble), and to partake of these he invites the meek. The sacrificial
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

On Turning the First Page of the Review which Follows...
On turning the first page of the review which follows, follows, "by Rowland Williams, D.D. Vice-Principal and Professor of Hebrew, St. David's College, Lampeter; Vicar of Broad Chalke, Wilts,"--we are made sensible that we are in company of a writer considerably in advance of Dr. Temple, though altogether of the same school. In fact, if Dr. Williams had not been Vice-Principal of a Theological College, and a Doctor of Divinity, one would have supposed him to be a complete infidel,--who found it convenient
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. F allen man, though alienated from the life of God, and degraded with respect to many of his propensities and pursuits, to a level with the beasts that perish, is not wholly destitute of kind and compassionate feelings towards his fellow-creatures. While self-interest does not interfere, and the bitter passions
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

My Brethren.
OUR Lord Jesus Christ calls those for whom He died and who have believed on Him "My Brethren." What a word it is! The Brethren of the Man in Glory! Brethren of Him who is at the right hand of God, the upholder and heir of all things! Pause for a moment, dear reader. Let your heart lay hold anew of this wonderful message of God's Grace; Brethren of the Lord Jesus Christ! What depths of love and grace these words contain! What heights of glory they promise to us, who were bought by His own precious
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

His Future Work
The Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work on earth the Father gave Him to do, who is now bodily present in the highest heaven, occupying the Father's throne and exercising His priesthood in behalf of His people, is also King. To Him belongeth a Kingdom and a kingly Glory. He has therefore a kingly work to do. While His past work was foretold by the Spirit of God and His priestly work foreshadowed in the Old Testament, His work as King and His glorious Kingdom to come are likewise the subjects
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

His Head is as the Most Fine Gold, his Locks as the Clusters of the Palm, Black as a Raven.
By the locks covering his head are to be understood the holy humanity which covers and conceals the Divinity. These same locks, or this humanity extended upon the cross, are like the clusters of the palm; for there, dying for men, He achieved His victory over the enemies and obtained for them the fruits of His redemption, which had been promised us through His death. Then the bud of the palm-tree opened and the church emerged from the heart of her Bridegroom. There the adorable humanity appeared
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

Note B. On the Word for Holiness.
The proper meaning of the Hebrew word for holy, kadosh, is matter of uncertainty. It may come from a root signifying to shine. (So Gesenius, Oehler, Fuerst, and formerly Delitzsch, on Heb. ii. 11.) Or from another denoting new and bright (Diestel), or an Arabic form meaning to cut, to separate. (So Delitzsch now, on Ps. xxii. 4.) Whatever the root be, the chief idea appears to be not only separate or set apart, for which the Hebrew has entirely different words, but that by which a thing that is
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

The Crucifixion.
"He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth."--Isaiah liii. 7. St. Peter makes it almost a description of a Christian, that he loves Him whom he has not seen; speaking of Christ, he says, "whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Again he speaks of "tasting that the
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Brokenness
We want to be very simple in this matter of Revival. Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts. Jesus is always victorious. In heaven they are praising Him all the time for His victory. Whatever may be our experience of failure and barrenness, He is never defeated. His power is boundless. And we, on our part, have only to get into a right relationship with Him, and we shall see His power being demonstrated in our hearts and lives and service, and His victorious life will
Roy Hession and Revel Hession—The Calvary Road

The Death of Jesus
"And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, He calleth Elijah. And one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink, saying, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to take Him down. And Jesus
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Letter Xlv (Circa A. D. 1140) to the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary.
To the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary. Bernard states that the Festival of the Conception was new; that it rested on no legitimate foundation; and that it should not have been instituted without consulting the Apostolic See, to whose opinion he submits. 1. It is well known that among all the Churches of France that of Lyons is first in importance, whether we regard the dignity of its See, its praiseworthy regulations, or its honourable zeal for learning. Where was there ever the vigour
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Trials of the Christian
AFFLICTION--ITS NATURE AND BENEFITS. The school of the cross is the school of light; it discovers the world's vanity, baseness, and wickedness, and lets us see more of God's mind. Out of dark afflictions comes a spiritual light. In times of affliction, we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God. The end of affliction is the discovery of sin; and of that, to bring us to a Saviour. Doth not God ofttimes even take occasion, by the hardest of things that come upon us, to visit
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
When geologists began to ask whether changes in the earth's structure might be explained by causes still in operation, they did not disprove the possibility of great convulsions, but they lessened necessity for imagining them. So, if a theologian has his eyes opened to the Divine energy as continuous and omnipresent, he lessens the sharp contrast of epochs in Revelation, but need not assume that the stream has never varied in its flow. Devotion raises time present into the sacredness of the past;
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Judas' Betrayal and Peter's Denial Foretold.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 21-25, 31-35; ^B Mark XIV. 18-21, 27-31; ^C Luke XXII. 21-23, 31-38; ^D John XIII. 21-38. ^b 18 And ^d 21 When Jesus had thus said, ^b as they sat and were eating, ^d he was troubled in the spirit, and ^b Jesus ^d testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ^b even he that eateth with me. ^c 21 But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. [The foreknowledge of Judas' crime
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Johannine Writings
BY the Johannine writings are meant the Apocalypse and the fourth gospel, as well as the three catholic epistles to which the name of John is traditionally attached. It is not possible to enter here into a review of the critical questions connected with them, and especially into the question of their authorship. The most recent criticism, while it seems to bring the traditional authorship into greater uncertainty, approaches more nearly than was once common to the position of tradition in another
James Denney—The Death of Christ

The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case and Condition Cleared up to Us.
The believer is oft complaining of darkness concerning his case and condition, so as he cannot tell what to say of himself, or what judgment to pass on himself, and he knoweth not how to win to a distinct and clear discovery of his state and condition. Now, it is truth alone, and the Truth, that can satisfy them as to this. The question then is, how they shall make use of, and apply themselves to this truth, to the end they may get the truth of their condition discovered to them. But first let us
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end.
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Of his Cross what Shall I Speak, what Say? this Extremest Kind of Death...
9. Of His cross what shall I speak, what say? This extremest kind of death He chose, that not any kind of death might make His Martyrs afraid. The doctrine He shewed in His life as Man, the example of patience He demonstrated in His Cross. There, you have the work, that He was crucified; example of the work, the Cross; reward of the work, Resurrection. He shewed us in the Cross what we ought to endure, He shewed in the Resurrection what we have to hope. Just like a consummate task-master in the matches
St. Augustine—On the Creeds

Messiah Suffering and Wounded for Us
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ..... He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. W hen our Lord was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and conversed with Him. Had we been informed of the interview only, we should probably have desired to know the subject of their conversation, as we might reasonably suppose it turned upon very interesting and important
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Growth in Grace
'But grow in grace.' 2 Pet 3:38. True grace is progressive, of a spreading and growing nature. It is with grace as with light; first, there is the crepusculum, or daybreak; then it shines brighter to the full meridian. A good Christian is like the crocodile. Quamdiu vivet crescit; he has never done growing. The saints are not only compared to stars for their light, but to trees for their growth. Isa 61:1, and Hos 14:4. A good Christian is not like Hezekiah's sun that went backwards, nor Joshua's
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
God's procedure when imitable forms a peculiar argument for duty. That is made known for many reasons; among which must stand this,--that it may be observed and followed as an example. That, being perfect, is a safe and necessary pattern to follow. The law of God proclaims what he wills men as well as angels to do. The purposes of God show what he has resolved to have accomplished. The constitutions of his moral subjects intimate that he has provided that his will shall be voluntarily accomplished
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

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