Based on a series of sermons preached in PCC Prayer Meetings in 2023-2024
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken
Psalm 34: 15-20
Psalm 34 may be entitled “The Righteous One’s Affectionate Cry Under the Cross.” The cross for David—who penned this Psalm—was his frightening experience of being exposed to the Philistine king when he was running away from Saul. The cross for our Saviour—whose Spirit inspired this Psalm—was Calvary.
What about you? What is your cross at the moment? Whatever it may be, I trust you will find some comfort and encouragement from the few verses we are considering.
We may draw three thoughts from them.
1. the Eyes of the LORD Are upon the Righteous
This is what we read in verse 15. But note that David is not merely saying God is omniscient and sees everything. Instead, he is saying that Jehovah is watching over the righteous to protect them.
Who are the righteous? There is none righteous except the Lord Jesus Christ. But those who are united to Christ by faith are justified and accounted righteous in Him.
Do you believe the Lord Jesus died for your sins? If so, you are righteous, and the LORD’s eyes are upon you. He is watching over you with love and compassion like a father watching over his dear child.
He will not allow anything or anyone to harm you. His face is against those who do evil, especially those who may do you harm. So cast your cares upon Him, and rest in Him, for He cares for you.
2. the Ears of the LORD Are Open to the Cry of the Righteous
This is what we read in the second part of verse 15. Jehovah’s ears are open to the cry for help of the righteous. “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles” (v. 17).
The LORD has not promised to keep you free from troubles. In fact, we read in verse 19 that “many are the afflictions of the righteous.” Sometimes, the Christian has more troubles than his non-Christian friends and neighbours. Asaph notices that in Psalm 73.
God, your loving heavenly Father, has good reasons for apportioning afflictions to you. He is doing something wonderful for your soul. He is cultivating your faith. An earthly father may train his children’s decision-making skills by exposing them to challenging situations. But he is never far from them in case, they need help.
So, too, our heavenly Father. He is never far. His ears are constantly open to your cries. He will not allow things to become so dangerous as to become harmful to you. He will deliver you out of your troubles (v. 17). So don’t forget to cry out to Him when you find yourself overwhelmed and unable to cope.
As Paul reminds us, we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but we have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba Father. This cry is a cry for help.
3. the LORD Is near to the Broken-Hearted
Verse 18: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
The LORD is omnipresent, so He is near to everyone. But He is nearer to the righteous than the wicked, for His eyes are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. But of all the righteous, His is nearest, we are told, to those with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
He is especially ready to hear them and to help them.
What is a broken heart? To be broken-hearted is to be crushed by sorrow and deeply discouraged. What is it to have a contrite spirit? It is to be crushed by a sense of guilt, and there is deep humiliation, too.
Our Saviour’s heart was broken, and His spirit was contrite even as He bore our guilt to the cross. His Father was near Him to deliver Him. Not one of His bones was broken (v. 20).
And so it will be for those who are in Christ. As the Father was near His son in His hour of deep pain and sorrow, He is near you.
Take heart, therefore, dear child of God. Your heavenly Father cares. He is not only watching over you and ready to hear your cry; he is near you. He will deliver you out of your present trial. He will restore you completely.
All that is broken in you today will be mended, for He will not suffer your bones or anything to remain broken: for Christ, your Saviour, has taken your guilt upon Himself.
Conclusion
This is God’s promise to the righteous. Are you righteous? If you are, thank God for His promise. If you are not, now is the day to cry to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and cleansing. Remember that the LORD is against them that do evil and will cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. But He is a merciful God. He will hear the cries of all who come to Him in contrition and broken-heartedness. Go, therefore, to Him to taste of His goodness. Amen.
—JJ Lim