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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:1-22

Life's experiences turned to manifold uses. £ There is no sufficient reason for severing this psalm from the detail of history to which its title refers; and it is much to be wished that its writer had uniformly turned his own experience to a use as wise as that which he here urges upon others. £ But David's pen might be golden, though sometimes his spirit was leaden; and we may study with great advantage the ideal of life which he sets before us, learning from his experience how we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:11-22

The second, didactic, part of the psalm here begins. The writer assumes the role of the teacher, and, addressing his readers as "sons," undertakes to "teach them the fear of the Lord" ( Psalms 34:11 ), or, in other words, to point out to them in what true religion consists. This he does in two remarkable verses ( Psalms 34:13 , Psalms 34:14 ); after which he proceeds, in the remainder of the psalm, to give reasons which may incline them to the practice of it ( Psalms 34:15-22 ). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:19

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 34:20

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 34:18

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 34:19

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 34:20

He keepeth all his bones - That is, he preserves or guards the righteous.Not one of them is broken - Perhaps there is a direct and immediate allusion here to what the psalmist had himself experienced. In His dangers God had preserved him, so that he had escaped without a broken bone. But the statement is more general, and is designed to convey a truth in respect to the usual and proper effect of religion, or to denote the advantage, in reference to personal safety in the dangers of this life,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 34:18

Psalms 34:18. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart Ready to hear and succour them; though, by the course of his providence toward them, he may sometimes seem to themselves and others to stand afar off. “God is near to all men; for in him they live: but he is near to the broken in heart, in a peculiar sense, as he is ever ready and able to help them; as men are much more capable of assisting those they value, when present with them than when absent from them; from which this... read more

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