The Lord Is Close To The Brokenhearted

Psalm 34:18

New Living Translation

18 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

The lord is close to and Delights in the broken hearted he rescues the lost souls and those who are devastated and crushed

He’s near in honor

What is the meaning of Psalms 34 18?

The Bible is honest that this is sometimes our human experience: We feel that God is far away. But Psalm 34:18 counters this with a description of where God really is: God is near to the brokenhearted.Nov 12, 2017

What does God say about being broken hearted?

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The Good News: Though you may feel defeated, God is closer than you realize. He is always with you and can heal your heart. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”Apr 9, 2020

How did Jesus heal the brokenhearted?

God quickens and renews us by the Living Word, through and by Jesus himself, who came to heal the brokenhearted through His payment of His own blood on the Cross.May 20, 2018

What happens when you draw near to God?

It also reminds us of the responsibility we have in our relationship to God. The phrase, “draw near,” means, very simply, to approach or get close to a thing. To draw near to God, means then, to get close to God. If you get close to God, James is saying, God Himself will come to be close to you.Oct 18, 2018

Psalm 34:18 Meaning of The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted

Feb 24, 2020 by Editor in Chief

Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Explanation and Commentary of Psalm 34:18

Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with the words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Scholars debate whether this should be considered a command to be poor in spirit, or whether it is only the statement of a fact: those who happen to be poor in spirit are blessed because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.

In this Psalm, it seems clear that those who are going through trials are the ones who are crushed in spirit. In light of the promises made by the Psalmist for those who take refuge in the Lord (Ps 34:8) we can assume that he is talking about those who find trouble, not because of their unrighteousness, but because there is trouble in this world. He promises that “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;”















In the same way, Jesus gives encouragement to the “poor in spirit,” the Psalmist wants to let the righteous who are suffering know that God will be close to them and deliver them. Jesus said that to them belongs the Kingdom of Heaven.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Psalm 34:18

#1 “The Lord is close…”
In Psalm 46:1 we see that God is ever-present. Psalm 139:7 says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” This may be bad news for those who want to escape the watchful eye of God and his judgment, but for those who love Him, it is meant to be a great source of comfort.



#2 “…to the brokenhearted…”
But it is often the broken-hearted who see him best. Many a self-satisfied, self-righteous, nominal Christian has leaped to greater faith and spiritual strength by some great trial or suffering. God loves his children too much to allow us to go undisciplined away from his presence. While it is impossible to escape his presence, it is more than possible to pretend he is not there.

#3 “…and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
For salvation from hell or from trial, one has to call out to the God who is there waiting. If the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the poor in spirit, it is because of the surrender that comes when one gives up being one’s own god and living in one’s own strength. Do not wait for trouble. Surrender and follow him. “The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned” (Ps 34:22).

What Does Psalm 34:18 Mean? ►

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18(NASB)

Verse Thoughts

Our God and heavenly Father deserves our ongoing and eternal love and praise, because He has shown Himself to be a God Who cares for His people. He is the God Who delivers us out of all our difficulties. He hears those that call on His name. He delivers His people from all their fears and He comforts those that are encompassed with sadness and disappointments.

God is no respecter of persons, for He hears the cries of the poor man, and His eyes are open to the way of the righteous. He is close to those that fear His name, while His face opposes those that are quick to do evil. In His goodness and grace, the Lord delivers those that are being abused, and He helps those that are pursued by their enemies.

Down through centuries of time, the truth that is encapsulated in Psalm 34, has been a comfort and help to many of God’s hurting people, for the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, but when the righteous cry to Him for help, the Lord hears and rescues them from all their distress and troubles. Yes, the LORD is very near to the brokenhearted, and He saves those who are crushed in spirit.

The comforting words in this Psalm were written by David after he escaped from the hands of his enemies. Having been anointed of God to be Israel’s king… David was being hotly pursued by the jealous king Saul, whose loathing of David had reached boiling point.

David had to flee for his life and even sought refuge from Israel’s bitter enemies – the Philistines! But fearing that they also might try to kill him, David managed to escape by dribbling down his beard and pretending to have gone crazy in the head! And how he praised God for his miraculous escape. I will bless the Lord at all times, was David’s grateful testimony of his deliverance. I will continually bless the Lord. His praise shall always be in my mouth. My soul shall boast in the Lord and the humble will hear of it and be glad.

A thread of hope and praise weaves its way through these verses, as David makes a declaration of God’s grace and loving-kindness to those that call on His name, and are humble in heart. And although the Lord does not always keep His children away from their troubles and trials, His grace is always sufficient.

The Lord is willing and able to draw close to all of His people.. as they go through life’s various difficulties and dangers. He will not break a bruised reed.. nor will He quench a smoking flax. He is always close to the broken-hearted and He is the Saviour of those whose spirits are crushed down. He came, in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bind up the wounds of those in pain and to offer salvation to those that trust in Him.

He is the good Shepherd of His people; the Rock of our salvation, and a stronghold in time of trouble… and He travels with each one of His people through the valley of the shadow of death, and no one who puts their faith in Him will ever be disappointed.

In His goodness and grace, God the Father sent Jesus, His dearly beloved Son to preach good tidings of great joy to those that are meek. He came to bind up the broken-hearted; to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of prison-gates to them that are bound by sin and death. And a day is also coming when He will proclaim the favourable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God as He gives comfort to those who mourn and wipes away every tear.

In His loving-kindness and great mercy, our faithful God has given us His written word.. which testifies of His goodness and grace towards His people and declares the eternal truth of the glorious gospel of grace – that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, will be saved.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are near to the broken-hearted and close to all who are crushed in spirit. Thank You for the testimony of the saints, that You are a faithful God, Whose mercies are new every morning. How we praise You, for You are a witness to Your Word – that You are a God, Who not only saves but keeps and helps and comforts and provides for all who are called by Your name – thank You in Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/psalm-34-18

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

—Psalm 34:18

Related Topics: Lord, Circumstances, Hardship, Pain, People, Rescue, All Topics…

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

While many of us are richly blessed spiritually and physically, many of God’s people face hardship and difficulty. You may be one of those in difficult circumstances. Please remember that God has not abandoned you. Jesus is the great reminder that God cares and involves himself with the broken, forgotten, and downtrodden. Please know as well, that tens of thousands are praying for you today in the prayer that follows.

My Prayer…

O God, please be with those whose lives are difficult and filled with pain and sadness. Please minister in personal and mighty ways to every believer with a crushed spirit. Dear Father, please rekindle the hope of every discouraged Christian. Empower them as they hold on to their faith. Pour out your Spirit with power, strengthening each weary and burdened heart. Help each one of your children hold onto his or her faith, finding a renewed sense of hope in your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today’s Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.

What does Psalm 34:18 mean?

In this verse David writes how God understands our feelings and helps us bear the burden of sorrow. In contrast to pagan deities, or the unfeeling universe of atheism, the biblical God deeply cares for our pain. When Jesus knew His friend Lazarus had died, He went to the home of Lazarus’s grieving sisters and comforted them. When He saw Mary’s tears, “he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (John 11:33). When He approached Lazarus’s tomb, He wept (John 11:35) and was “deeply moved again” (John 11:38). Jesus experienced all of this, though He knew all along He would raise His friend from death (John 11:11).

Hebrews 4:15 assures us that Jesus, our Great High Priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses. That includes both the meaning of human suffering and the struggle against sin. He was tempted like any other man but remained sinless. Knowing that He understands and cares, we can “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

It has been quipped that “prayer is the place burdens change shoulders.” Our Lord’s shoulders can bear our burdens when we are brokenhearted and our spirits are crushed (Matthew 11:28–30; 1 Peter 5:7).

Context Summary

Psalm 34:15–22 contrasts what the Lord does for those who fear Him against what happens to the wicked. God watches over the righteous and answers their cry for help. He delivers the righteous from their troubles and draws near to them. He protects the righteous and redeems them. On the other hand, He opposes the wicked and condemns them. While David certainly experienced victories in his life, he also understood that God’s love and provision have an eternal perspective (Romans 8:28–30). Verse 20 includes a reference which the Gospel of John ties to Jesus’ role as Messiah.

Chapter Summary

David praises the Lord for delivering him from the Philistines, and he invites others to join him in singing joyfully to the Lord. He extols the virtue of fearing the Lord and remembering His goodness. He encourages the Lord’s people to respect God and offers wisdom leading to a long and blessed life. At the end of this psalm David emphasizes the distinction the Lord draws between the wicked and the righteous. He cares for the righteous and will not condemn them, but He condemns the wicked