The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth; literally, they cry , and the Lord heareth. "Cry," which by the ordinary rules of grammar should have for its subject the "evil-doers" of the preceding verse, must, it is obvious from the context, refer to the "righteous" of Psalms 34:15 , who are the predominant subject of the entire passage( Psalms 34:15-22 ). And delivereth them out of all their troubles (comp. Psalms 34:19 and Psalms 54:7 ). read more
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and sayeth such as be of a contrite spirit. On the value in God's sight of a broken and contrite heart, see Psalms 2:1-12 :17; and on his mercy towards the truly contrite, see Psalms 147:3 ; Isaiah 57:15 ; 69:2. He "is nigh" to such persons, he "dwells with" them, "looks to them, …. revives their heart, …. heals" them, "saves" them. read more
Many are the afflictions of the righteous (comp. Job 36:8-10 ; Acts 14:22 ; 1 Corinthians 15:19 ; 2 Timothy 3:12 ; Hebrews 11:33-38 ; Hebrews 12:5-10 , etc.). The righteous suffer afflictions because they are so imperfectly righteous. They need purging, purifying, chastening, to rid them of the dross and defilement of sin which still clings to them, and from which they are never wholly freed while they continue in the flesh. "We must through mush tribulation enter into the... read more
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. The "bones" are put for the entire frame, or body, of a man (comp. Psalms 6:2 ; Psalms 31:10 ; Psalms 32:3 ; Psalms 38:3 ; Psalms 42:10 ; Psalms 102:3 ). God "keepeth," i.e. watches over, keeps from harm, the entire persons of the righteous, letting no hurt touch them, but such as he permits and sees to be needful. In using the phrase, "not one of them is broken," the psalmist probably alludes to Exodus 12:46 and Numbers... read more
Evil shall slay the wicked . His own misconduct shall bring destruction upon the wicked man-destruction of the body in many eases ( Psalms 7:15 , Psalms 7:16 ), in all, if he persists in his wickedness, destruction of the soul. And they that hate the righteous shall be desolate ; rather, shall be held guilty (comp. Psalms 5:10 , and the comment ad loc. ). read more
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants (comp. Psalms 25:22 ; Psalms 130:8 ). Some translate, "The Lord delivers ," etc. But the LXX . have λυρώσεται . And the verb used means primarily, as Dr. Kay says, "to sever," then "to set free, release, emancipate; especially to set free by paying a price; to redeem, or ransom." And none of them that trust in him shall be desolate; rather, shall be held guilty , or shall be condemned — the same word as in the preceding... read more
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth - That is, one of the advantages or benefits of being righteous is the privilege of crying unto God, or of calling on his name, with the assurance that he will hear and deliver us. No one has ever yet fully appreciated the “privilege” of being permitted to call upon God; the privilege of prayer. There is no blessing conferred upon man in his present state superior to this; and no one can fully understand the force of the argument derived from this in... read more
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart - Margin, as in Hebrew: “to the broken of heart.” The phrase, “the Lord is nigh,” means that he is ready to hear and to help. The language is, of course, figurative. As an Omnipresent Being, God is equally near to all persons at all times; but the language is adapted to our conceptions, as we feel that one who is near us can help us, or that one who is distant from us cannot give us aid. Compare the notes at Psalms 22:11. The phrase, “them... read more
Many are the afflictions of the righteous - This is not intended to affirm that the afflictions of the righteous are more numerous or more severe than the afflictions of other men, but that they are subjected to much suffering, and to many trials. Religion does not exempt them from suffering, but it sustains them in it; it does not deliver them from all trials in this life, but it supports them in their trials, which it teaches them to consider as a preparation for the life to come. There are,... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:11-22
The secret and blessings of a happy life. "In this second part the psalmist turns to believers, addresses them, and says that it is his design to teach them the art of leading a happy and quiet life, and of being secure against enemies." I. THE SECRET OF A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL LIFE . 1 . The fear of God. ( Psalms 34:11 , Psalms 34:15 , Psalms 34:18 .) Childlike fear—compatible with trust and love. 2 . The government of the tongue. ( Psalms 34:13 .) What... read more