Psalms

Psalms 34: The LORD is near the brokenhearted

Begin in prayer

Before we hear David call the humble to praise, let us bring our own need before the Lord. Let us seek the goodness of Christ and ask God to teach broken hearts His fear.

Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them.

Hosea 14:9

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the good LORD hears His people, teaches them peace and remains near when their hearts are broken. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

After David pretended to be insane before Abimelech and was driven away, he calls the humble to join his praise of the LORD. He had sought God and been heard, so he invites others to taste His goodness and take refuge in Him. Those who fear and seek the LORD lack no good thing, even though strong young lions go hungry. David then teaches the fear of God through guarding speech, turning from evil, doing good and pursuing peace. The LORD hears the righteous and draws near to broken hearts, while His face opposes evildoers. Many afflictions remain for the righteous, yet God delivers and redeems His servants, and none taking refuge in Him will be condemned.

As you read Psalms 34, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The good LORD hears the afflicted, teaches His fear, and redeems everyone who takes refuge in Him.

The title remembers David's humiliating escape, while his song gives the LORD the praise for hearing a poor man's cry. His testimony invites the humble into shared worship and calls them to experience God's goodness by taking refuge in Him. The angel's encampment pictures guarding care around those who fear the LORD, whose provision reaches beyond the strength pictured by hungry lions. David teaches this fear as a way of life, beginning with a truthful tongue and continuing into active pursuit of peace. First Peter 3 verses 10 to 12 repeat these commands and God's attention to the righteous as instruction for Christians. The warning remains that God's face opposes evildoers, cutting their memory from the earth, and that hatred of the righteous ends in condemnation. God's nearness belongs with broken hearts, and His deliverance comes through the many afflictions His people face. His protection of the righteous man's bones finds an echo in John 19 verses 33 to 36, when Jesus' bones remain unbroken. The final promise belongs to all who take refuge in the LORD, whose redemption means that condemnation will never be their end.

How does Psalm 34 show us that the good LORD hears the afflicted, teaches His fear, and redeems everyone who takes refuge in Him?

The good LORD hears those who seek Him.

David praises the God who answered a poor man's cry. He invites others to taste that goodness through taking refuge in the LORD. Even the strength of young lions cannot supply the care given to those who fear Him.

The LORD teaches His people to pursue peace.

The fear of God reaches the words a person speaks. David joins guarding the tongue to turning from evil, doing good and pursuing peace. The LORD watches the righteous and hears their cry while opposing those who practise evil.

The LORD redeems His servants through their afflictions.

The righteous face many troubles, and broken hearts are places where God draws near. He promises deliverance and guards the life of His servant. Evil brings the wicked to death and condemnation, while none taking refuge in the LORD will be condemned.

Memorise

Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what trouble am I keeping from Jesus instead of seeking refuge in Him?

David invites us, “Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good.” His goodness is the refuge of a poor man who cried and was heard. The psalm ends with redemption and freedom from condemnation for those who take shelter in Him.

Our sin has earned condemnation before this holy God. Jesus bore that punishment for His people and died in their place. He rose again. No further offering is needed for His people's forgiveness, because His saving work has fully secured their peace with God. His finished work gives guilty people a refuge they could never earn.

Turn from sin and trust Jesus. Jesus receives the guilty with forgiveness whenever they come to Him in repentant faith. Bring Him your broken heart and ask Him to teach you truthful speech and the pursuit of peace. His people still face many afflictions, and the redeeming Lord remains near to sustain them through every one.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the good LORD hears His people, teaches them peace and remains near when their hearts are broken. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for hearing the afflicted and redeeming those who take refuge in Him. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.

John 6:39

Good and merciful Lord, thank You for hearing the poor and drawing near to broken hearts. Please bring us to trust Jesus and find refuge from condemnation through His finished work. Guard our tongues, turn us from evil and teach us to pursue peace. Sustain Your afflicted people through this week. Amen.