Psalm 34:18 is among the most quoted and popular verses in the book of Psalms. While most people love the words of Psalm 34:18, only a few know its true and deep meaning. That’s why, in this blog, let us go through this verse and uncover the powerful lessons we should learn from it.
Background of Psalm 34:18
Psalm 34:18 is part of Psalm 34, which is according to the editor, a psalm was written by King David around the time when he pretended madness before Abimelech (or Achish) to escape from his presence. In most translations, Psalm 34 is titled “The LORD Delivers the Righteous,” which is a fitting title since the entirety of this psalm talks about God’s divine intervention for His people.
Psalm 34 is also a psalm about praise and thanksgiving while focusing on God’s protection and provision, especially in times of trouble and distress.
Psalms 34:18 specifically reads in the New King James Version:
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
This verse emphasizes God’s compassion and nearness to those who are suffering emotionally or spiritually. It offers comfort to individuals experiencing grief, despair, or inner turmoil, assuring them that God is present with them and ready to offer healing and salvation.
The background of this verse reflects David’s own experiences of seeking God’s presence and finding comfort in times of distress. It highlights the intimate relationship between believers and their Creator, emphasizing God’s empathy and care for His people, especially during their moments of vulnerability.
With that, let us now explore the 10 specific lessons we can learn from Psalm 34:18.
Psalm 34:18 lessons infographic
Here’s a helpful infographic about Psalm 34:18 and it’s powerful lessons from us today:
With that, let us now go through the 10 lessons one by one:
1. The righteous are not spared from pain
Psalm 34:18 testifies to the Biblical fact that everyone experiences pain and suffering in this broken world. Bad things happen to both the righteous and the wicked.
As you can see, Psalm 34:18 challenges the common misconception that being righteous or living a faithful life will exempt individuals from experiencing suffering or hardship. Yes, living a life according to God’s will and purpose brings blessings, but it doesn’t guarantee a life free of pain.
Biblical examples
Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of righteous individuals who faced significant trials and tribulations. For instance, Job, described as a blameless and upright man, endured immense suffering and loss. Joseph faced betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment despite his righteousness. Even Jesus Himself, who was without sin, experienced profound suffering, culminating in His crucifixion.
The reality of human experience
Despite our best efforts to live according to moral principles and follow God faithfully, pain and suffering are inevitable aspects of the human experience. Illness, loss, injustice, and adversity affect both the righteous and the unrighteous alike. This reality reflects the brokenness of the world due to sin and the imperfect nature of human existence.
2. The true God is near us
The first line of Psalm 34:18 tells us:
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart.
When the Bible says, “LORD,” it refers to the personal name of God, which is YHWH, pronounced as Yahweh. King David specifically names our God, Yahweh, as Someone who is near to us when we are in trouble.
Can you just imagine that the God of this vast universe, the Supreme Ruler of all things, and the Possessor of heaven and earth, is there for us when we are in trouble? I don’t know about you but that is just an amazing fact for all of us to consider.
Notice that it is Yahweh who is near us. It is not Dagon. It is not Baal. It is not Ashteroth or any other pagan gods!
Because it is our living God, Yahweh, the Most High, who is near us, then we can be confident that we have the most powerful Being who backs us up.
3. We are not alone in our difficulties in life
A central theme of Psalm 34:18 includes the fact that we are not alone in our difficulties in life. Remember, all of us will go through life with pain and suffering. Although we are not spared from difficulties, God is definitely with us through the pain.
Do you remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God didn’t prevent them from getting thrown into the fire BUT God is certainly with them in the fire!
At times, when we are going through tough times, it’s easy to feel that we are alone. It’s easy to feel that God is not there, that God doesn’t care anymore. The truth is, the Devil wants us to think this way. He whispers in our ears the destructive lies that God is not there.
Yet, Psalm 34:18 reassures us that God is intimately present with us, especially in times of difficulty and distress. Regardless of the nature or severity of our struggles, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God sees, hears, and cares about our circumstances. He intimately knows us and He definitely cares for us. That’s why, you can always go through the valley of the shadow of death and know that you are not alone. Don’t you ever commit the mistake of thinking that you’re alone? No, you’re not alone. God is with you and He is just one prayer away.
God is with us
Now, here’s the most interesting fact you should never forget. Do you know the other name of Jesus Christ (whose true name is Yahshua)? We read in Matthew 1:23:
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated as “God with us.”
Wow! That is just mind-blowing! Christ’s name means “God with us.” That’s exactly what Psalm 34:18 is telling us. God is with us. To make this point really clear and real, God didn’t just say, I’m with you spiritually, but I’m with you physically by sending my Son into the world.
4. God feels our pain
Psalm 34:18 tells us that Yahweh is close to the brokenhearted. God’s presence goes deeper than just being present. God doesn’t just see our suffering, but He enters into our pain and suffering, walking alongside us in our darkest moments. The promise that “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted” speaks to the profound empathy and compassion of God. He enters into our pain and suffering, walking alongside us in our darkest moments.
Christ, who became God in the flesh, experienced what we also experienced. He perfectly knows what it is like to be a human being. We read in Hebrews 4:15-16:
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The Bible tells us that Yahshua can sympathize with our weaknesses. It means that He knows what it feels like to be brokenhearted.
Now, here’s the good news for you and me: Christ became our High Priest. He is our Advocate in God’s throne. He is compassionate, merciful, and loving. Because Christ is our High Priest, we can now “come boldly to the throne of grace.”
5. God is our comforter
Because God is near to us, He gives us the comfort that we need. Like a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings, God also gathers us under His tender arms. His presence brings comfort.
What’s so amazing is that God actually gives us the Holy Spirit, our comforter. We read in John 14:26:
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The word “helper” came from the Greek word, “paraklētos.” It means comforter and advocate. God loves us so much that He didn’t leave us alone. He has given us His Holy Spirit, His enduring power, to encourage, uplift, and motivate us.
6. God is our protector
Psalm 34:18 tells us:
18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
We can see here that God not only comforts the brokenhearted but also serves as a shield and defender for those who trust in Him. Here’s a deeper look at this Psalm 34:118 message:
Divine Protection
Psalm 34:18 reminds us that Yahweh is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. This highlights God’s role as a protector and deliverer for His people. Just as a shepherd watches over his flock and guards them from harm, God watches over His children, shielding them from dangers seen and unseen.
Physical Protection
Throughout the Bible, we see instances of God’s intervention to protect His people from physical harm. From the Israelites crossing the Red Sea to Daniel in the lions’ den, God demonstrates His power to rescue and deliver those who put their trust in Him. This serves as a reminder that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and is able to protect them from external threats.
Spiritual Protection
In addition to physical protection, God also provides spiritual protection for His children. Psalm 91:4 declares, “He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler..” God’s presence serves as a fortress of strength and security, guarding believers from spiritual attacks and temptations.
Trusting in God’s Protection
The assurance of God’s protection in Psalm 34:18 encourages believers to trust in His faithfulness and sovereignty, even in the midst of adversity. This does not mean that believers will be immune to hardship or suffering, but it does mean that God will ultimately work all things together for their good (Romans 8:28). Trusting in God’s protection enables believers to face challenges with confidence and courage, knowing that they are secure in His hands.
7. God saves us
Aside from the protection that David mentioned in Psalm 34:18, God ultimately saves us from the penalty of sin, which is death (Romans 3:23). Psalm 34:18 says, “And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”
If you look into the Hebrew word “saves” here, it is yâsha‛, which is a word related to the word yeshu’ah, which is actually where we get the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Did you see the connection there? God saves us by giving us the sacrifice of our Yahshua the Messiah. He died for our sins. The saving grace of God doesn’t just save us from our physical death, but rather it also gives us eternal life!
8. God gives us hope
Do you believe what Psalm 34:18 really says? Because you don’t, you can actually just get your pen and slash out this verse from your Bible. However, if you truly believe this verse, then Psalm 34:18 can be an incredible source of hope for all believers!
Life can be filled with so many problems and difficulties. What’s more, life can be so unpredictable. As long as we are in our human form, we will surely get sick and ultimately die. Between now and the day of our death, we know the suffering and sorrow we must go through. If you don’t have God in your life, you can easily lose hope and give up.
Nevertheless, Psalm 34:18 is a promise of God for all of us. He knows that suffering is a normal part of life. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when. It is just a matter of time before we once again go through life’s troubles.
Thankfully, God promises us through King David that if we go through trials, God is with us. He is near to those who are brokenhearted. He is near to those who are suffering. He is there to comfort and guide us.
God is like the anchor of a ship in the middle of a storm. He provides stability and assurance in our life. The message of Psalm 34:18 extends beyond temporary comfort; it points to the hope of redemption and restoration in Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him. This provides believers with a hope that transcends the trials and tribulations of this present life, anchoring their souls in the assurance of God’s ultimate victory over sin and death.
9. Go to God instead of running away from Him
Problems in life can either bring us closer or farther from God. When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they chose to run away from God. Instead of asking for forgiveness, they tried to hide their sin.
The same is true today. A lot of people today get discouraged and feel that living God’s way of life is pointless. So, when they go through suffering, they simply abandon their faith and live in any way they want to.
However, that should not be the case for us. When we are suffering, the more we should get close to God. Will your life improve if you run away from God? Of course not! So, why run away from God when you can run towards Him and obtain the hope, comfort, and grace that we all need?
Psalm 34:18 doesn’t just tell us that God is near to us when we have problems, but we must also draw near to God. We read in James 4:7-8:
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Although God will draw near to us, He can’t force us to also draw near to Him. It should be our choice. It should be a conscious decision to go and stay near Yahweh.
10. We must be humble before God
Being heartbroken in the Bible refers to a state of deep emotional pain, sorrow, or distress. The term “brokenhearted” is often used metaphorically to describe the intense grief or sadness experienced as a result of various circumstances, such as loss, betrayal, disappointment, or failure. In times like these, when we are at our lowest point God will draw near to us.
However, brokenhearted also has a different meaning in the Bible. It could also mean being humble before God. Notice the relationship between a broken and contrite spirit with humility:
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
Psalms 51:17
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
A broken and contrite heart is something that God looks for from His people. Then in Isaiah 57:15, we read:
For thus says the High and Lofty One
Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
To revive the spirit of the humble,
And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
A contrite heart is something that is humbled by a deep sense of remorse and repentance. Because of our recognition of our own weaknesses, we turn to God for strength. We recognize our nothingness without God.
Thus, it is a must that we should be humble before God. Although we are made of dust, God still chose to love us to the point that He gave His only beloved Son just to give us the opportunity to receive eternal life.
If you are filled with pride, God will not be near to you because you yourself will push him away. When you are prideful, you won’t see the need to call on God. You will want your own way, which actually prevents you from developing a stronger and closer relationship with God.
Thus, Psalm 34:18 also reminds us to be humble — to have a contrite and broken heart. That’s when God can truly be close to us!
Apply the Lessons from Psalm 34:18
Psalm 34:18 is truly a wonderful and powerful verse that we all should consider. It teaches us not just about God’s love but also His protection, mercy, and will for us. Of course, all the lessons we have discussed in this blog would be nothing if you don’t apply them. So, be sure to put them in practice and you’ll surely become more courageous, faithful, and enduring even in the darkest time of your life!
I love to hear from you. Do you have other lessons that you want to add to our list? If so, please leave a comment below. If you find this blog helpful, please consider partnering with us.
About the Author
Joshua Infantado is the founder of the Becoming Christians website and the Becoming Christians Academy, an online course. Since 2013, he has been writing Christian articles, and he launched his own YouTube channel. Joshua is deeply passionate about sharing the Word of God and supporting people in their Christian journey.
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