Bible Commentary

The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 18. nigh &c.] Cp. Psa 119:151; Isa 50:8; and the contrast, Psa 10:1. The broken in heart and crushed in spirit are those who have been broken down and crushed by sorrow and suffering … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:18”

[The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 17. They cried, and Jehovah heard; And rescued them out of all their distresses. We may understand a subject from the verb, they who cried cried, as in Psa 34:5, i.e., when any cried: or with LXX and Vulg. supply … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:17”

The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 16. The face of the Lord means the manifestation of His Presence, either as here in wrath (cp. Psa 9:3), or as in Num 6:25, in blessing. See Oehler’s O.T. Theology, 57. Comp. “The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:16”

The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry. 15. With the first line cp. Psa 33:18. More literally, toward the righteous, as R.V. renders here but not there, though the prepositions are the same. his ears &c.] Lit., his cars are toward their cry for help: … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:15”

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 14. The first line recurs in Psa 37:27. Comp. the character of Job, the ideal righteous man (Job 1:1; Job 1:8; Job 2:3); and Job 28:28; Pro 16:17. pursue it ] Do not be discouraged if it should need prolonged effort to overtake it. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:14”

Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 13. Keep ] Guard. Cp. Pro 13:3 (R.V.); Pro 21:23; Psa 39:1; Jas 3:2 ff. guile ] Deceit. Cp. Psa 35:20; Psa 36:3. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Keep thy tongue from evil – From speaking wrong things. Always give utterance … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:13”

What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good? 12. The challenge with its answer in Psa 34:13-14 is a vivid and forcible equivalent for Whosoever desires let him &c. Cp. Psa 25:12. life ] Not mere existence, but life worthy of the name (Psa 16:11; Psa 30:5); … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:12”

Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 11. the fear of the Lord ] Including both the devout reverence which is essential to a right relation of man to God, and the conduct which it demands. The phrase is characteristic of Proverbs, occurring in that book almost … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:11”

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing]. 10. The young lions ] Best understood literally, not as a metaphor for the rich (LXX , though possibly from a different reading), or powerful oppressors (Psa 35:17). The sense is that the strongest beasts … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:10”

O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him. 9. saints ] Not the word commonly so rendered, e.g. in Psa 30:4; Psa 31:23; but as in Psa 16:3, holy ones: those whose character corresponds to their calling as members of the holy nation (Exo 19:6; Lev … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 34:9”