Psalm 22 (21):24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Revere the Lord! Avoid striving for your own honor, but instead honor Him. All descendants of Jacob, give Him praise. All offspring of the One whom the great will serve, exalt Him.

The Church comprises both Jews and Gentiles, inspiring them to praise, referring to one group as Jacob and Israel based on their heritage, and the other through the virtues that elevate and beautify the lineage. Therefore, it became customary to refer to converts from the Gentiles to the Law as Jews as well. The Book of Acts provides us with this understanding. For the beloved Paul, in his address to the crowd, proclaimed: ‘Men of Israel, and those who fear’ the Lord among you (Acts 13:16).

The Church comprises individuals from both Gentile and Jewish backgrounds, inviting all to praise, referring to some as Jacob and Israel in honor of their ancestors, while recognizing others as God-fearers, a designation that alone enhances their identity. Additionally, it was customary to refer to Jews who embraced the law after coming from the Gentiles in this manner. This is supported by the narratives found in the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostle, when addressing the crowd, articulated this by saying, "Men of Israel, and those who fear God in you" (Acts 13:16).

Since the Father has heard the Lord and He has triumphed over death, He inspires believers to express their gratitude. Initially, He directed the Apostles to the Gentiles, instructing them to go and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19). According to Theodoret, these Gentiles are referred to by David as those who revere the Lord, recognized for their displayed virtue. Similarly, Paul addressed them in the Acts, saying, "Israelites and those who fear God, hear" (Acts 13:16), and Peter spoke to Cornelius to affirm that "In every nation, he who fears God and does righteousness is pleasing to Him" (Acts 10:35).

Glory and reverence After reflecting on the Lord's Passion, so that the hearts of believers are not weighed down by prolonged sorrow, he moves to the third section, encouraging the faithful to glorify Him upon understanding the Lord's judgments. He unites their supplications into a collective worship, for through His Passion, salvation has come to the faithful and life to the righteous. Let us recognize how profoundly uplifting the fear of God can be. While the fear of man leads not to adoration but to criticism, the fear of God, being just and true, inspires praise, ignites love, and sets aflame the gift of grace.

By declaring, 'In the midst of the church I will sing unto Thee,' he emphasizes the significance of the assembly of the faithful. Thus, he invites all to glorify God, leading by his own example. However, recognizing that hypocrites also enter the church—as there are tares among the wheat—his message is directed specifically toward those who are devout and revere God. Although he references the seed of Jacob and Israel to reflect the broader community, many Jews do not embody the legacy of their ancestors and have become estranged. Therefore, for the sake of the true and righteous descendants of Abraham, he distinguishes them from the false, illustrating that the glory of God cannot be restored where true piety is absent.

The Apostles, along with other saints and the descendants of Jacob and Israel, the faithful followers of Christ who have transitioned from their former ways into the embrace of the Holy Church, hold a deep reverence for and honor God in relation to the Resurrection of Christ.