The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 15:29
What does Proverbs 15:29 mean?
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Proverbs 15:29
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This verse isn't just saying God favors good people; it hints that "far from the wicked" means He's not near to hear their prayers, while He's actively listening to the righteous. It shows God's presence isn't a uniform, everywhere-at-once thing when it comes to relationship and response; it's a chosen nearness to those who seek Him.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb appears in a section contrasting the ways of the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses that highlight the importance of listening to instruction and the dangers of foolish speech. The statement about God hearing the righteous and being distant from the wicked stands as a stark consequence of their respective paths, implying that righteous living aligns with God's favor and access, while wicked living leads to His alienation.
Ever feel like your prayers are hitting a wall? This verse contrasts how God relates to the wicked and the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 draws a clear line between God's relationship with the wicked and the righteous. When it says God is "far from the wicked," it doesn't mean He's unaware of them or that His presence isn't everywhere. Instead, it speaks to His gracious and helpful presence. The wicked, by their defiance and rejection of God, position themselves outside of His favor and willingness to intervene. They essentially ask Him to "depart" (as Benson notes), and He respects that distance. For the righteous, however, God is "near." This nearness isn't about physical location, but about His readiness to hear, help, and commune with those who seek Him.
What makes a prayer 'righteous' in God's eyes? It’s not about being perfect, but about the heart behind the request.
The verse highlights that God "hears the prayer of the righteous." But what makes a prayer righteous? It's not about the perfect wording or flawless life of the one praying. The ancient commentators point out that the righteous desire to do God's will. Their prayers are aligned with His purposes. This means a righteous prayer isn't just asking for personal gain, but seeking God's wisdom, strength, and guidance to live according to His ways. It stems from a heart that is surrendered to Him, not one that is defiant or self-serving.
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tephillah · Hebrew Noun
A formal petition or request directed to God. It involves a posture of dependence, humility, and trust, acknowledging God's sovereignty and readiness to respond to His people.
This passage directly contrasts God's closeness to the righteous and His distance from the wicked, mirroring Proverbs 15:29 by stating 'The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit' while also mentioning He is 'far from the wicked.'
Psalm 66:18This verse explains why the wicked's prayers might not be heard: 'If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.' This connects to Proverbs 15:29 by implying that the wicked's sin prevents God's gracious presence, unlike the righteous.
John 9:31Jesus states, 'We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.' This powerfully echoes Proverbs 15:29, highlighting that one's relationship with God (worshiper vs. sinner) determines whether their prayers are heard.
1 Peter 3:12This verse assures that 'the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.' This parallels Proverbs 15:29 by showing God's attentive presence to the righteous and His opposition to the wicked.
ellicottProverbs 15:29: "The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."
(29) He heareth the prayer of the righteous.— For they desire above all things to do His will, and so their petitions to this effect are heard by Him.
pooleProverbs 15:29: "The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."
Is far from the wicked, to wit, when they pray to him, as the next clause explains, and therefore doth not hear nor regard them, as he is said to be nigh to the righteous, Psalm 34:18 145:18 . But this farness or nearness respecteth not God’s essence, which is every where, but his gracious and helpful presence.
This verse isn't just saying God favors good people; it hints that "far from the wicked" means He's not near to hear their prayers, while He's actively listening to the righteous. It shows God's presence isn't a uniform, everywhere-at-once thing when it comes to relationship and response; it's a chosen nearness to those who seek Him.
This proverb appears in a section contrasting the ways of the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses that highlight the importance of listening to instruction and the dangers of foolish speech. The statement about God hearing the righteous and being distant from the wicked stands as a stark consequence of their respective paths, implying that righteous living aligns with God's favor and access, while wicked living leads to His alienation.
This proverb appears in a section contrasting the ways of the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses that highlight the importance of listening to instruction and the dangers of foolish speech. The statement about God hearing the righteous and being distant from the wicked stands as a stark consequence of their respective paths, implying that righteous living aligns with God's favor and access, while wicked living leads to His alienation.
"The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous." — This verse isn't just saying God favors good people; it hints that "far from the wicked" means He's not near to hear their prayers, while He's actively listening to the righteous. It shows God's pr…
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Last reviewed October 2026