What does Psalm 34:18 mean?

Psalm 34:18 (KJV) reads: "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." It sits in Psalms chapter 34, a piece of Hebrew prayer and praise poetry from the Old Testament, and is most often read as a verse about memorial & funeral. The meaning sharpens when you read the verses immediately around it and notice how Psalms as a whole is arguing its case.

What is the context of Psalm 34:18 in Psalms?

Psalm 34:18 belongs to Psalms 34, which fits inside Psalms's wider message as Hebrew prayer and praise poetry. Before applying the verse, read at least the paragraph it appears in so you can see who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what situation prompted the words.

Is Psalm 34:18 from the Old or New Testament?

Psalm 34:18 is from the Old Testament — specifically the book of Psalms, chapter 34. That matters because Old Testament verses are usually addressed first to ancient Israel under the Mosaic covenant, and Christians read them through the lens of Christ's fulfilment.

What translation of Psalm 34:18 is used here?

Every verse on Bible Sundays is quoted from the King James Version (KJV), the public-domain English translation first published in 1611. We use the KJV consistently so the wording you memorise on one page matches the wording on every other page of the site.

How can I memorise Psalm 34:18?

Read Psalm 34:18 aloud three times, write it out by hand once, then try to recite it from memory. Repeat morning and evening for a week. Pair it with the theme of memorial & funeral so your mind has a natural retrieval cue. Reviewing on day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 30 locks it in for the long term.

How should I apply Psalm 34:18 today?

Identify one specific situation in the next 24 hours — a conversation, a decision, a fear, a temptation around memorial & funeral — where Psalm 34:18 should change your response. Pray the verse back to God for that situation, then act on it. Application is what turns reading into obedience.

Memorial & Funeral Card Verse

Psalm 34:18 for Memorial & Funeral Cards

A free, printable, share-ready KJV card verse. Pick a theme, download as a high-resolution image, or copy the text for handwritten cards.

For Memorial & Funeral

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm 34:18

King James Versionbiblesundays.com

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Why Psalm 34:18 works for memorial & funeral cards

Comfort for the mourners — God draws near to broken hearts.

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Read Psalms 34 (KJV) →

How to use this memorial & funeral card

Pick a theme above that matches the recipient's taste — botanical for weddings and showers, midnight for solemn occasions, kraft for rustic.
Download the PNG at 1200×1500 — Pinterest-optimized and high enough resolution for printing on standard 5×7 cardstock.
Send digitally via text, email, or social, or print and pair with a handwritten note inside.
Reference the chapter — readers often want to look up the surrounding context. Tap the link above to read Psalms 34 in the KJV.

More Memorial & Funeral card verses

John 14:2-3

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself."

Psalm 23:4

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me."

Revelation 21:4

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying."

2 Timothy 4:7

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope."

John 11:25-26

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Psalm 116:15

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

See all 12 memorial & funeral card verses →