Psalms 34:17-18
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the verse promises deliverance from "all their troubles," the context highlights that the "righteous" here aren't those who never struggle, but those who actively "cry out" to God, signifying a reliance on Him even amidst their difficulties. This isn't about a life free from problems, but about the intimate relationship where God hears and rescues those who turn to Him in their distress.
This verse, proclaiming God's attentiveness to the cries of the righteous, follows descriptions of seeking God's wisdom and avoiding evil. It's part of a larger exhortation to trust in the Lord, highlighting that while the righteous face many afflictions, God is their deliverer from them all.
Ever felt like your prayers are just whispers lost in the wind? This verse reminds us that God pays attention to the cries of those who strive to live right.
The verse starts with "When the righteous cry for help." This isn't just any cry; it's the earnest plea of those who are living in accordance with God's ways, even when they stumble.
Who are the "righteous" here?
Scholars note that the word "righteous" might not be explicitly in the oldest Hebrew texts of this specific verse, but it's present in many ancient translations and strongly implied by the context of Psalm 34. It refers to those who are devoted to God, who trust Him, and who genuinely seek to follow His commands. Their cry isn't one of arrogance, but of humble dependence.
The Urgency of the Cry
This cry signifies a deep distress, a heartfelt reaching out in times of trouble. It's not a passive wish but an active plea, often born from the many afflictions the righteous face in this world, as noted in the commentaries. It's the sound of a soul in need, turning to the only One who can truly help.
It's one thing for God to hear; it's another for Him to actively deliver. This verse assures us of both His attentiveness and His power.
The promise is clear: "the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."
God Hears
The commentaries highlight that God's hearing is not passive or indifferent. It's an attentive, engaged listening. For the righteous, this means their pleas do not go unnoticed. This privilege of prayer, of being able to call on God with the assurance of being heard, is presented as an immense blessing.
God Delivers
Deliverance is the powerful outcome. The verse promises not just relief from some troubles, but from all their troubles. While this doesn't always mean immediate or complete removal of hardship in this earthly life, it points to God's ultimate power to rescue. This can manifest in various ways:
Understand the original words
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective
Those who are in a right relationship with God by faith, characterized by obedience to His commands and adherence to His moral standard. It denotes a person whose life aligns with God's justice and covenant requirements.
natsal · Hebrew Verb
To rescue, liberate, or save from distress, danger, or oppression. It signifies God's active intervention to bring His people out of perilous circumstances.
tsarah · Hebrew Noun
A state of internal distress, physical hardship, or adversity that tests one’s faith. Biblically, these trials are often allowed by God to produce endurance and reliance upon Him.
shabar (lev) · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Psalm 34, particularly verse 17, resonates deeply when understood against the backdrop of David's own life. His desperate situation, as detailed in the psalm's traditional setting of escaping King Achish, provides a powerful human example of crying out to God in trouble and experiencing His deliverance.
c. 1000 BC
David's Reign as King
David establishes himself as a significant figure in Israelite history, known for both his military leadership and his struggles.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Escape from Achish
According to the psalm's superscription, David feigned madness to escape King Achish of Gath, a pivotal moment of personal distress and deliverance.
c. 1000 BC
Psalms Composition
Psalms, including Psalm 34, are composed, reflecting the life, faith, and struggles of David and other Israelites.
c. 950 BC
Temple Construction Begins
Solomon begins the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, a focal point for Israelite worship and prayer.
This passage directly echoes the Psalmist's assurance, stating that God will surely hear the cries of His 'elect' (those who are righteous and belong to Him) who cry out day and night.
Jeremiah 29:12This verse offers a similar promise from God: when His people seek Him and call on Him, He will listen and be found by them, highlighting the efficacy of prayer from those who follow Him.
John 16:33While Jesus acknowledges that His followers will face troubles in the world, He immediately follows with the powerful reassurance: 'take heart; I have overcome the world,' offering a parallel to God's deliverance promised in the psalm.
Romans 8:28This verse, like the psalm, speaks to the ultimate good that comes from God for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, assuring that even troubles work together for their benefit and salvation.
1 Peter 3:12This passage directly quotes and affirms the psalm's central message, stating that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer, emphasizing God's attentive care for those who do good.
cambridgePsalms 34:17: "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
17 . They cried, and Jehovah heard; And rescued them out of all their distresses. We may understand a subject from the verb, they who cried cried , as in Psalm 34:5 , i.e., when any cried: or with LXX and Vulg. supply the righteous . (Had the LXX this reading, or did they merely insert the word from Psalm 34:15 ?) It is however possible that Psalm 34:15-16 should be transposed, and then the r…
clarkePsalms 34:17: "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
The righteous cry - There is no word in the present Hebrew text for righteous; but all the versions preserve it. I suppose it was lost through its similitude to the word צעקו tsaaku, they cry צעקו צדיקים tsaaku tsaddikim, the righteous cry.
While the verse promises deliverance from "all their troubles," the context highlights that the "righteous" here aren't those who never struggle, but those who actively "cry out" to God, signifying a reliance on Him even amidst their difficulties. This isn't about a life free from problems, but about the intimate relationship where God hears and rescues those who turn to Him in their distress.
This verse, proclaiming God's attentiveness to the cries of the righteous, follows descriptions of seeking God's wisdom and avoiding evil. It's part of a larger exhortation to trust in the Lord, highlighting that while the righteous face many afflictions, God is their deliverer from them all.
"When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." — While the verse promises deliverance from "all their troubles," the context highlights that the "righteous" here aren't those who never struggle, but those who actively "cry out" to God, signifying a…
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A metaphorical state of deep grief, humility, or spiritual distress resulting from sin or heavy trial. It is the condition of one who recognizes their total dependence on God.
daka' ruach · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
A state of being humbled, abased, or spiritually devastated. It signifies a person who has reached the end of their own strength and is fully receptive to God's intervention.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Exile
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, leading to the exile of many Israelites, a period of profound national trouble.
538 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great allows the exiled Israelites to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple, marking a return from deep distress.
