Psalms 22:27

Psalms 22:27

Verse 27 expands the vision from intimate sustenance to universal worship: “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.” In the ancient Near East, nations and distant lands often worshiped many gods; this psalm’s prophetic note envisions a time when God’s sovereignty is recognized globally. The wording “remember” and “turn unto” implies repentance, acknowledgment, and allegiance—people realizing the true God’s authority and choosing to align with Him. The royal and universal language points forward to the Messianic expectation and, in the New Testament, to the gospel going to all nations. The imagery of “worship before Thee” underscores adoration, obedience, and submission to God’s rule. The context in Psalm 22, which moves from lament to trust, frames this global turning as part of God’s deliverance and faithfulness that expands beyond Israel to all peoples.

This verse anchors a biblical arc: God’s plan is not parochial but universal. It underscores God’s kingship over all the earth and the expectation that the nations will respond in praise and submission. It foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God’s people and the expansion of worship to a multiethnic community. The language of remembrance and turning hints at repentance and renewed relationship rather than mere acknowledgment. Theologically, this aligns with God’s character as creator and savior who desires all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). It also highlights worship as a primary response to God’s saving activity, not merely as a ritual, but as a transformed life that acknowledges God’s lordship over every nation.

What would it look like today for “all the ends of the world” to remember and turn to the Lord? It starts with personal witness—neighbors, coworkers, and friends in different cultures being invited into a relationship with Jesus. It also calls churches and ministries to pursue global awareness: support missionaries, engage in cross-cultural partnerships, and practice mission as everyday life (adopting international causes, learning from other faith contexts). Worship becomes more than a Sunday event; it becomes a lifestyle that honors God before people from every nation. Practically, learn about a world region each month, pray for its people, and consider how your talents might serve unity in diversity—music, art, education, or service projects. The invitation to turn to the Lord is an invitation to participate in a worldwide family, united under God’s rule.

Cross-References: Psalm 2:8; Isaiah 45:23; Romans 15:9-12; Revelation 7:9; Colossians 1:6