Psalm 34:18

Commentary on Psalm 34:18 (NKJV)

Psalm 34:18 (NKJV): “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

Context and Insights from Psalm 34

Psalm 34 is a psalm of David, written when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. This psalm is a song of thanksgiving and praise to God for His deliverance and protection. It is an acrostic poem, with each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 34:18 specifically highlights God’s compassion and closeness to those who are suffering and repentant. The verse reassures believers that God is intimately aware of their pain and is ready to save those who are humble and contrite in spirit.

Theological Teaching from Psalm 34:18

Psalm 34:18 teaches several key theological principles:

God’s Immanence and Compassion: The verse underscores the immanence of God, meaning that He is present and active within His creation. God’s nearness to the broken hearted reflects His compassionate nature and His willingness to be involved in the lives of His people.
Repentance and Humility: The reference to a “contrite spirit” emphasises the importance of repentance and humility. True repentance involves a heartfelt sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. This verse assures believers that God responds to genuine repentance with salvation and restoration.
Salvation and Deliverance: The promise that God “saves such as have a contrite spirit” points to the doctrine of salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This verse can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate salvation brought by Christ, who heals the broken hearted and saves those crushed in spirit.
Comfort in Suffering: For modern Christian living, Psalm 34:18 offers comfort and hope to those experiencing suffering and hardship. It reassures believers that God is close to them in their pain and that He will deliver them. This aligns with God’s sovereignty and His care for His people.

Application to Modern Christian Living

Psalm 34:18 can be applied to modern Christian living in several ways:

Encouragement in Trials: Believers can find encouragement in knowing that God is near during times of distress and that He is attentive to their cries for help.
Call to Repentance: The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a humble and repentant heart before God.
Assurance of God’s Presence: Christians can be assured of God’s constant presence and His readiness to save and restore them, regardless of their circumstances.