Psalm 34: The Righteous Cry
Psalm 34:17 - The closer we draw to God the closer He will be to us.
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.”
Psalms 34:17 NASB1995
David once again repeats a familiar message: The righteous cry out and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. David keeps repeating this theme of entreaty/deliverance because he saw what the Lord did for him and he wants others to know. Here’s the Charles Spurgeon Exposition from Precept Austin:
EXPOSITION
Ver. 17. The righteous cry. Like Israel in Egypt, they cry out under the heavy yoke of oppression, both of sin, temptation, care, and grief. And the Lord heareth; he is like the night watchman, who no sooner hears the alarm bell than he flies to relieve those who need him. And delivereth them out of all their troubles. No net of trouble can so hold us that the Lord cannot free us. Our afflictions may be numerous and complicated, but prayer can set us free from them all, for the Lord will show himself strong on our behalf.
Spurgeon also has this advice to the village preacher as hints for his sermon (also found on Precept Austin):
Ver. 17. Afflictions and their threefold blessing.
1. They make us pray.
2. They bring us the Lord's hearing ear.
3. They afford room for joyful experience of deliverance.
Troubles and afflictions are blessings? First, they lead us to prayer, usually urgently offered. These prayers are heard by the Lord. Deliverance leads to joy and thanksgiving. But regardless of the outcome, we should give thanks in all circumstances.
There is also another good commentary on Precept Austin from Warren Wiersbe, which ties into the next verse in Psalm 34 as well as verse 17. The commentary led me to find an image of colors that can be seen in oil or other similar mediums (the photo above):
A little girl and her mother were walking down a sidewalk after a rainstorm. Someone had spilled some automobile oil on the pavement. Seeing that, the little girl said, "Mommy, look at all of the smashed rainbows!"
Maybe your rainbows have been smashed, and you have a broken heart. Perhaps you don't feel close to God because of your heartache. What can you do to be near to Him? First, keep in mind that nearness is likeness. "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart" (Psalm 34:18). The more we are like God, the nearer we are to Him. How close can you get to God? You can get as close to Him as you want. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. Remember that God knows the meaning of a broken heart. Jesus Christ literally experienced one. He was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53:3). Let your experiences make you more like Jesus, and He will draw near to you.
Second, remember that God gives grace to the humble. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). David also said, "A broken and a contrite heart--these, O God, You will not despise" (Ps. 51:17).
Our Lord came "to heal the brokenhearted" (Luke 4:18). Do you have a broken heart that needs healed? Here's the simple secret: Give the Lord all the pieces, and He will heal you.
Everyone has experienced dashed hopes and smashed plans. Take comfort in knowing that your Lord heals the broken heart. Are you getting over a crushing experience? The Lord understands what you are going through. Draw near to Him with a humble spirit and give Him the broken pieces of your heart.
This is a good segue into the next devotional, which examines Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is near to the brokenhearted (one of the most famous verses from this Psalm).
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - I pray, once again, for healing of my left eye. It is often hard to write and get these messages put together. I know that the situation is not dire, but I bring you this trouble and ask for your mercy, compassion and healing. Draw close to me Lord! Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Precept Austin was accessed on 09/02/2025 to review commentary for Psalm 34:17