The Lord is Close to the Broken Hearted
April 27, 2021
Commentary
David shifts from praise to instruction (vv. 11-14). His topic is the fear of the Lord (v. 11). Why? Because the fear of the Lord is the secret to a long and good life (v. 12). Our speech is a good indicator of whether or not we fear the Lord (v. 13) which is why David warns us to keep our tongues from evil and our lips from deceit. A second indicator is our actions (v. 14), so we ought to turn from evil and do good, to seek peace and chase after it. David may have been looking back on his foolish speech and actions during his time in Gath when he wrote these instructions to us.
The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous and he so thoroughly thwarts those who do evil, and they are forgotten.Omnipresent is a big word that means God sees what we do, and He hears what we say (vv. 15-16). This is a comforting truth to everyone who is doing and saying the things that please the Lord, but it is a very discomforting truth to those who are displeasing Him. God never ignores the deeds of men in this life.
When the people pray the Lord listens (v. 17), and He rescues those who are discouraged (v. 18). The Lord’s people may suffer a lot, but He will always deliver them (v. 19) Not one of their bones will be broke (v. 20). David says, “I am living proof of this fact.” He was a broken man, and it was only the Lord who could deliver him. On the other hand, those who have hatred and cause hurt to those who live righteously will one day find themselves forsaken, wretched and alone (v. 21). In summary the psalmist states that the Lord will redeem His servants (v. 22). In other words, no one who trusts in Him will be lost. With great price and great power, the Lord Jesus has rescued the redeemed from the bonds of Satan.
Application
I should be comforted or frightened by the thought that God sees everything I do and hears everything I say. When my children were small, I use to tell them that they may do things I can’t see or will ever know about but the most important person in the whole world will see them and that is God. We never fool God regardless of our age because He is omnipresent.
Psalms 34:11–22 (NET)
11 Come children. Listen to me. I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord.
12 Do you want to really live? Would you love to live a long, happy life?
13 Then make sure you don’t speak evil words or use deceptive speech.
14 Turn away from evil and do what is right. Strive for peace and promote it.
15 The Lord pays attention to the godly and hears their cry for help.
16 But the Lord opposes evildoers and wipes out all memory of them from the earth.
17 The godly cry out and the Lord hears; he saves them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.
19 The godly face many dangers, but the Lord saves them from each one of them.
20 He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.
21 Evil people self-destruct; those who hate the godly are punished.
22 The Lord rescues his servants; all who take shelter in him escape punishment.
It is Not Where God is But Where He is Not
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