Psalms – Chapter 22

Old Testament • 6 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 22 of Psalms begins: "A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing." David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 6 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and God's mercy and forgiveness. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.

2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:

3He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.

4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.

5Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebreateth me, how goodly is it!

6And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.

Important Verses in Psalms 22

“A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.”

Psalms 22:1

“And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days. ”

Psalms 22:6

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 22 of 150 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 6 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on David, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing." The chapter ends with: "And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of…" Read against its original backdrop, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Psalms around Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the psalmist voices praise, lament, thanksgiving, or petition before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1431). Here, the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize justice and care for the poor as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Psalms Chapter 22 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The passage calls believers to grasp that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him.

Let Psalms Chapter 22 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 22 about?

Psalms 22 contains 6 verses. It opens with "A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing." and closes with "And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of…". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 22?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 22?

This chapter mentions David.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

Isaiah 55Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Samuel 2Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Kings 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World🙏Divine Mercy Chaplet🙏Act of Contrition

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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