Psalms 34:18
Jehovah is nigh to those that are of a broken heart, and saveth them that are of a contrite spirit.
View all translations →Psalm 34 is the song of one who has tasted Jehovah's deliverance in the very heat of trial, and verse 18 is its tender heart: the LORD does not stand far off when His own are crushed, but draws closest precisely there. The psalm is prophetically the voice of Christ Himself, gathering "the excellent of the earth" who walk by faith with Him, and it teaches the saint that praise is to be "at all times," not only when things flow softly.
Christ Himself is the great Speaker of this psalm, and those gathered to Him are the humble who hear Him gladly.
J. N. DarbyIt is this One who speaks in Ps. 34. He is passing through the times in which He accomplished the will of God, and during which He attached to Himself those who, according to Ps. 16, were the excellent of the earth — the saints who, however feebly, were walking in the path of faith into which He in grace had entered.
The verse does not picture proud strength but a heart bent low under sorrow, finding Jehovah Himself as its nearest friend.
J. N. DarbyIn the midst of trouble the soul is seen humble and subdued in spirit. He has sought Jehovah and he found Him a ready friend… The saint's heart was tried, exercised; difficulty and wrong pressed upon it, and his will did not rise up in pride and anger, but he lays his matter with confidence on the kindness of Jehovah, and He interests Himself in him. It is not high and sovereign providence making things flow for outward blessing… but the gracious interest of Jehovah in his tried heart. This is much nearer, the interest greater, the link more sweet and stronger.
Beyond general government, God stoops with personal nearness to those whose hearts are broken.
J. N. DarbyNot only is it true that God is not mocked… but He also watches over and directly governs His children… "The eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous, his ears open to their cry." Not only that, but "nigh to them that are of broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
The breaking is twofold — sorrow over the world outside and over what we discover inside.
Hamilton SmithIf our hearts are broken by all that is around, and our spirits contrite by reason of what we find in ourselves, we shall discover that it is still true that "the Lord is nigh to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit."
David himself learned this in painful self-knowledge:
H. L. RossierDavid's experience at the court of Achish had been deeply humiliating, for the dignity which God had conferred upon him had been compromised by his behavior. His heart was broken and his spirit overwhelmed because of this, but under this discipline he had learned to know himself and to know the Lord in a more intimate way, and what more could he desire?
To the broken heart God answers, "I am near."
Michael VogelsangIf the Lord sees such a broken heart, He says to such: "I am near." The disciples on their way to Emmaus asked the Lord: "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent"… Is there not the same desire in our hearts, to ask: "Lord, abide with us, be near to us." This verse shows that the attitude of a broken heart has the assurance of His nearness.
The contrite spirit is given a way out — not always the easy one, but always His.
Michael VogelsangIf in such a situation we really have a contrite spirit before the Lord then He will save us, He will show us the way… The Lord will show us a way. This may not be the easy way — but we will have the certainty that it is His way.
The world says people die of a broken heart; God teaches the saint to live with one — and to live happily.
MagazinesWhen our heart with its perverse or idolatrous inclinations, lusts, designs, and plans, has been broken practically, God can reveal unto us His own heart of grace, love, and tender sympathy… But God teaches us to "live with a broken heart," aye, and live very happy with it too. A broken will enables us to serve the Lord, but a broken heart makes us serve Him "after His own heart," — in spirit and in truth.
- Christ speaks first. The voice of this psalm is Christ's own, and He gathers the tried and humble around Him as the "excellent of the earth."
- Nearness, not distance. A broken heart is not what drives God away; it is the very condition that draws Him intimately near — closer than outward providence ever could.
- Twofold breaking. Hearts are broken by the evil pressing from outside and the failure discovered within; both bring us within reach of His promise.
- Sure salvation. The contrite spirit is shown a way out — His way, not always the easy one, but never shut up to despair.
- Live with it. A broken will lets us serve God; a broken heart lets us serve Him after His own heart, in spirit and in truth.