Psalms 34:19

Commentary on Psalm 34:19

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19, King James Version

✦ Concise Takeaway

Psalm 34:19 teaches that the righteous will face real suffering, often in abundance, yet the Lord’s commitment to deliver is comprehensive, personal, and unfailing. This verse anchors modern Christian living in honest realism about hardship and deep confidence in God’s saving care.

The Text in Context

Psalm 34[i] is a thanksgiving psalm written by David “when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed” (Psalm 34 title, KJV). David had fled from Saul, sought refuge among the Philistines, feared for his life, and escaped only by feigning madness (1 Samuel 21:10–15). The psalm is therefore a reflection on fear, danger, deliverance, and the character of God.

Key surrounding verses:

• Psalm 34:4
  — “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
• Psalm 34:6
  — “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”
• Psalm 34:17
  — “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”
• Psalm 34:20
  — “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”

The psalm repeatedly emphasises two realities:

1. The righteous suffer.
2. The Lord saves.

Psalm 34:19 is the clearest and most concentrated expression of this pattern.

Exegetical Commentary

1. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous”

The verse begins with a sober acknowledgement. Afflictions are not occasional or rare; they are “many.” The righteous are not exempt from hardship. In fact, their righteousness often places them in situations of pressure, conflict, or danger.

In the Old Testament, “the righteous” refers to those who fear the Lord, trust him, and walk in his ways. David is the model here: faithful to God, yet hunted, exiled, and endangered.

This aligns with the broader biblical witness:

• Job 1:1
  — “perfect and upright,” yet afflicted.
• Psalm 73
  — the psalmist wrestles with the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous.
• 2 Timothy 3:12
  — “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

Affliction is not a sign of God’s absence. It is part of the normal experience of God’s people.

2. “But the LORD delivereth him out of them all”

The contrast is sharp and hopeful. The afflictions are many, but the deliverances are complete. The Lord does not prevent every hardship, but he rescues from every hardship.

The verb “delivereth” in Hebrew carries the sense of snatching away, pulling out, or causing escape. It is active, decisive, and personal. The Lord himself intervenes.

The phrase “out of them all” is absolute. No affliction lies outside God’s reach. No suffering is beyond his ability to redeem.

This does not mean the righteous never die, never grieve, or never experience loss. David himself suffered deeply. The promise is that every affliction will ultimately be answered by God’s saving action, whether in this life or in the resurrection.

Psalm 34:20 anticipates the greater deliverance fulfilled in Jesus Christ: “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.” This is quoted in John 19:36 to show that Jesus, the truly righteous one, was kept by God even in death.

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Theological Teaching

1. The reality of suffering for believers

Christian theology emphasises that the Christian life is marked by trials. The doctrine of providence teaches that God ordains all things, including suffering, for his glory and our good.

Afflictions are not random. They are purposeful, fatherly, and sanctifying.

2. The certainty of divine deliverance

Deliverance is God’s work, not ours. It is grounded in his covenant faithfulness. The Lord delivers “him,” meaning each individual righteous person. This is personal pastoral care from the living God.

Deliverance may take different forms:

• rescue from danger
• strength to endure
• transformation of character
• vindication
• resurrection hope

All afflictions will ultimately be answered by God’s saving action.

3. Christ as the fulfilment of the psalm

Jesus is the perfectly righteous sufferer. His afflictions were many, yet the Lord delivered him out of them all through resurrection. Believers share in his pattern: suffering now, glory later.

Meditation Guide

✦ Reflect

Sit quietly and consider the phrase: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” Acknowledge the reality of your own hardships. Name them before God. Do not minimise them.

Then meditate on the second half: “But the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Let the contrast settle in your heart. God’s deliverance is larger than your affliction.

✦ Pray

Use Psalm 34 as a prayer framework:

• Seek
  the Lord (Psalm 34:4).
• Cry
  to him honestly (Psalm 34:6).
• Trust
  his nearness (Psalm 34:18).
• Rest
  in his promise to deliver (Psalm 34:19).

✦ Apply

1. Expect hardship without losing hope.
   Christian maturity includes realism about suffering and confidence in God’s care.
2. Interpret affliction through God’s character, not through fear.
   Psalm 34 repeatedly emphasises God’s goodness, attentiveness, and saving power.
3. Look for God’s deliverance in its various forms.
   Sometimes he removes the trouble. Sometimes he strengthens you within it. Sometimes he transforms you through it.
4. Anchor your hope in Christ’s resurrection.
   Your ultimate deliverance is guaranteed because his deliverance is complete.

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[i] Psalm 34

King James Version

34 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

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.

21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.