King James Version

What Does Psalms 22:29 Mean?

Psalms 22:29 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Psalms chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Psalms 22:29 · KJV


Context

27

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

28

For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

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.

30

A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

31

They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that 'none can keep alive his own soul' humble human pride?
  2. What does universal accountability before God teach about the urgency of the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אָכְל֬וּ1 of 13

shall eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֨וּ׀2 of 13

and worship

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

כָּֽל3 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דִּשְׁנֵי4 of 13

All they that be fat

H1879

fat; figuratively, rich, fertile

אֶ֗רֶץ5 of 13

upon earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְפָנָ֣יו6 of 13

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יִ֭כְרְעוּ7 of 13

shall bow

H3766

to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate

כָּל8 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יוֹרְדֵ֣י9 of 13

all they that go down

H3381

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

עָפָ֑ר10 of 13

to the dust

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ11 of 13

his own soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לֹ֣א12 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חִיָּֽה׃13 of 13

him and none can keep alive

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 22:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 22:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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