Psalms 34:18

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Images for Psalms 34:18

Psalms 34:18 in Other Translations

KJV
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
ESV
18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
NLT
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
MSG
18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
CSB
18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.

Psalms 34:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 34:18

The Lord [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart
Who are pressed and bore down with afflictions, by the sorrow of heart under which their spirits are broken, ( Proverbs 15:13 ) ; or with a sense of sin, and sorrow for it, for which their hearts smite them, and they are wounded by it, and broken with it: to these the Lord is "nigh"; not in a general way only, as he is to all men, being God omnipresent, but in a special manner; he comes and manifests himself to them in a gracious way, pours in the oil and wine of his love, and binds up their broken hearts; yea, comes and dwells with them: he does not pass by them and neglect them, much less make the breach worse; he does not break the bruised reeds, but he heals their breaches;

and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit;
not in a legal, but in an evangelical way; who are humbled under a sense of sin, and melted down in true repentance, under a view of the love and grace of God; and are poor and mean in their own eyes: to these the Lord has respect; the sacrifices of a broken and contrite spirit are not despised by him, but accepted through faith in Christ; and such he saves with an everlasting salvation in him.

Psalms 34:18 In-Context

16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Related Articles

Cross References 2

  • 1. Deuteronomy 4:7; Psalms 119:151; Psalms 145:18; Isaiah 50:8
  • 2. Psalms 51:17; Psalms 109:16; Psalms 147:3; Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 57:15
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