Psalm 34:17-20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 34:17

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

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 34:19-20

Psalms 34:19-20. Many are the afflictions of the righteous In the world they may have tribulation, and their afflictions and troubles may be many, (for they must not promise themselves such prosperity as will exempt them from the trial of their faith and patience;) but the Lord delivereth him out of them all That is, in due time, when it will be best for them to be so delivered. And in this they ought to think themselves happy, that God will both support them under their trials, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 34:1-22

Psalms 34:0 Thanks for deliveranceWhen he first fled from Saul to the Philistine city of Gath, David expected the Philistines would welcome him as a deserter from Israel’s army, and so provide him with refuge. But the Philistines had probably not yet heard of David’s break with Saul. They knew only that David had killed thousands of their own Philistine people; perhaps he was spying out their city in preparation for more slaughter. They decided to kill him, and David escaped only by pretending... read more

E.W. Bullinger

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 34:17

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

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

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

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 34:19-20

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 34:1-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 34:17

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 34:18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 34:19

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