saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Christ’s declaration isn’t just about naming God, but revealing His character and attributes – His very "name" – to those He calls brothers. And He won't just praise God in isolation, but as the leader of a heavenly choir, singing in the very heart of the believing community.
saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author of Hebrews is demonstrating that Jesus, in his humanity, is not ashamed to call believers his brothers. To prove this, he quotes Psalm 22:22, portraying Jesus as speaking these words to God. This psalm, often recognized for its prophetic description of the Messiah's suffering and eventual triumph, shows Jesus declaring God's name to his spiritual brothers and singing God's praise in the midst of the community.
Jesus isn't just a teacher; he's on a mission to reveal who God truly is to us.
Revealing the Father
When Jesus says, "I will declare Your name to my brothers," he's not just sharing information. He’s making God known – His character, His love, His plan. Think of it like this: Jesus is the ultimate interpreter, bridging the gap between the infinite Creator and us, His finite creation. He reveals God not just in words, but in His very being and actions. This declaration is personal; it’s about knowing God as a Father, a concept Jesus powerfully unpacks throughout his ministry, especially after his resurrection when he declared to Mary, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (John 20:17). This intimate knowledge is foundational to our relationship with God.
Jesus doesn't just praise God alone; he invites us into the chorus with Him.
Praising Together
Jesus' promise to "sing praise" in the "midst of the congregation" is a beautiful picture of corporate worship. He positions Himself as the leader, the precentor, of God’s praise. This isn't just about individual devotion; it's about a community united in adoring the Father. The "congregation" here refers to God's people, the Church, where Christ is the central figure. He initiated this communal praise even on the night he was betrayed, singing with his disciples (Matthew 26:30). This highlights a profound truth: our worship is not meant to be solitary but communal, with Christ Himself leading us in heartfelt praise.
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The title "brothers" Jesus uses for us reveals a radical intimacy and shared identity.
Family Reimagined
Calling believers "brothers" is a profound statement from Jesus. It signifies that He, in His humanity, identifies with us completely. He is not ashamed to call us His family. This isn't just a casual term; it speaks to a deep, relational connection. As Hebrews 2:11 points out, both Jesus and those He calls brothers come from the same Father. He is the Firstborn, the Elder Brother, who leads us into relationship with God. This shared identity means we are united with Him and with each other, heirs together in God’s family.
Understand the original words
ekklēsia · Greek Noun
A gathering of the people of God for worship and assembly; in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), it often refers to the covenant community of Israel.
The author of Hebrews uses this verse from Psalm 22, a passage deeply connected to the suffering and eventual triumph of Christ, to emphasize Jesus' intimate relationship with believers, whom he joyfully calls 'brothers'.
c. 1000 BC
David Composes Psalm 22
Traditionally attributed to King David, Psalm 22 captures a sufferer's lament and anticipation of deliverance, later interpreted as a Messianic prophecy.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem profoundly impacted Jewish identity and worship, shaping the context for future Messianic hopes.
c. 400 BC
Collection of the Psalms
The Psalms were compiled into a collection, solidifying their place in Jewish worship and making prophetic texts like Psalm 22 readily available.
c. 250 BC
Septuagint Translation
The Hebrew Scriptures, including the Psalms, were translated into Greek, making them accessible to a wider audience and influencing early Christian interpretation.
AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus quotes the opening words of Psalm 22 from the cross, vividly demonstrating the psalm's Messianic significance and its connection to his suffering.
AD 64-67
Writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 22:22 to powerfully illustrate Christ's solidarity with believers, whom he calls 'brothers,' despite his divine nature.
This verse is a direct quotation from Psalm 22:22, highlighting Jesus' identification with believers as His 'brothers' and His role in leading worship.
John 20:17Jesus tells Mary Magdalene, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' This directly echoes the idea of shared relationship and brotherhood mentioned in Hebrews 2:12.
Matthew 26:30After the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn. This passage shows Jesus leading his 'brothers' in praise, fulfilling the promise in Hebrews 2:12.
Romans 8:29This verse speaks of God's purpose to make believers 'conformed to the image of his Son,' reinforcing the deep spiritual brotherhood Jesus shares with those He calls His own.
wesleyHebrews 2:12: "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee."
2:12 I will declare thy name to my brethren - Christ declares the name of God, gracious and merciful, plenteous in goodness and truth, to all who believe, that they also may praise him. In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee - As the precentor of the choir. This he did literally, in the midst of his apostles, on the night before his passion. And as it means…
ellicottHebrews 2:12: "Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee."
(12) I will declare thy name . . . . —The quotation is taken (with very slight variation) from the 22nd verse of Psalms 22 ( Psalm 22:22 )—a Psalm remarkable for its close connection with the narratives of the Passion of our Lord. Whether the inscription which speaks of David as author is correct, or whether (from the difficulty of discovering any period in David’s history…
Christ’s declaration isn’t just about naming God, but revealing His character and attributes – His very "name" – to those He calls brothers. And He won't just praise God in isolation, but as the leader of a heavenly choir, singing in the very heart of the believing community.
The author of Hebrews is demonstrating that Jesus, in his humanity, is not ashamed to call believers his brothers. To prove this, he quotes Psalm 22:22, portraying Jesus as speaking these words to God. This psalm, often recognized for its prophetic description of the Messiah's suffering and eventual triumph, shows Jesus declaring God's name to his spiritual brothers and singing God's praise in the midst of the community.
The author of Hebrews is demonstrating that Jesus, in his humanity, is not ashamed to call believers his brothers. To prove this, he quotes Psalm 22:22, portraying Jesus as speaking these words to God. This psalm, often recognized for its prophetic description of the Messiah's suffering and eventual triumph, shows Jesus declaring God's name to his spiritual brothers and singing God's praise in the midst of the community.
"saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”" — Christ’s declaration isn’t just about *naming* God, but revealing His character and attributes – His very "name" – to those He calls brothers. And He won't just praise God in isolation, but as the le…
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Last reviewed October 2026