Unpacking Psalm 22:28: The Lord Rules All

Context and Flow of Psalm 22

Psalm 22 begins as a cry of deep suffering but gradually turns toward trust and worldwide worship.

The psalm opens with Jesus’ own words on the cross - 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' - and describes intense pain, rejection, and danger, yet it doesn’t stay in despair. By verse 27, the tone shifts dramatically: 'All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord,' showing that the suffering leads to global hope and healing. This sets the stage for verse 28’s bold claim: no matter how bad things get, God is still the true ruler of every nation.

That final declaration - 'For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations' - is not merely a theological idea. It answers the psalm’s pain by lifting our eyes from suffering to God’s lasting authority.

Poetic Power in Psalm 22:28

The phrase 'For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations' uses a poetic technique called synthetic parallelism, where the second line builds on and deepens the first.

The first line declares that royalty and authority truly belong to God alone, not human rulers. The second line then adds action - He actively governs all nations, near and far.

God’s rule isn’t just stated - it’s strengthened by the way the verse echoes and expands its own truth.

This is not merely poetic flair. It serves as a powerful reminder that God’s reign is both rightful and real. Even when evil seems to win, this verse - and the whole psalm - affirms that God is still in charge. The shift from suffering in the early verses to global worship in verses 27 and 28 shows that pain is not the end of the story.

God's Rule Over All Nations

The truth that 'kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations' is not just a comfort in hard times. It reveals who God truly is: the one true King over everyone, everywhere.

This means no leader, no government, no power on earth stands above Him. Even when evil seems strong, this verse reminds us that God is still in charge, working all things under His loving rule.

And when we see Jesus, who prayed for God’s kingdom to come, we see this truth in action - He is the King who suffered, rose, and now reigns, drawing every nation to worship Him.

Psalm 22:28 and the Kingdom That Fills the Earth

This vision of God’s global rule in Psalm 22:28 is not merely poetic. It is fulfilled in the New Testament, where Jesus, the suffering King, is called 'King of kings and Lord of lords' in Revelation 19:16, showing His authority now extends over every nation and power.

The same Jesus quoted Psalm 22 on the cross (Matthew 27:46), and after His resurrection, He told His followers that 'all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me' (Matthew 28:18), directly echoing Psalm 22:28’s claim of divine kingship over all.

When we live like God is truly King, our choices reflect His justice, mercy, and hope - even in small, everyday moments.

So when we face fear, injustice, or uncertainty, we can act with courage and kindness - like speaking up for someone treated unfairly, forgiving someone who hurt us, or choosing honesty at work - because we trust that God is still in charge and His kingdom of peace will win in the end.

Application