Psalm 34:18 in Context
Psalm 34:18 read in its full chapter context. See the verses before and after, plus historical setting and flow of thought.
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
— Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
Where This Verse Sits
Psalm 34:18 appears in Psalms chapter 34, verse 18. David wrote this psalm after escaping from Abimelech (Achish) of Gath by pretending to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Having experienced deep humiliation and brokenness, David testified that God was closest during his darkest moments. This acrostic psalm was likely used in public worship as a teaching tool.
The Verse Itself
"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
— Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
Flow of the Passage
To grasp Psalm 34:18 fully, read it inside the surrounding paragraph. The verses before set up the argument, and the verses after show its outworking. Psalms 34 as a whole carries forward the theme of grief, and this single verse is one beat in that larger movement.
David assures us that God draws especially close to those who are hurting and humble. A broken heart attracts God's nearness, not His distance.
Cross-References
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