“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18
Time and again, David, the second king of Israel, encountered seemingly unimaginable circumstances that appeared at first contrary to the purpose God had ordained for his life. However, in those events, his trust in God was being tested. Whether having to trust God for his physical safety, emotional well-being, or spiritual welfare, David was strained.
And it’s here, in Psalm 34, that we see David pen a Psalm amid one of those trials. In this instance, David was fleeing from Saul’s attack on his life and had come through an encounter with a Philistine king. During that encounter, David’s fear for his life was so great that he “acted insanely in their hands, and scribbled on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva run down into his beard” (1 Sam. 21:13).
Previously, David had used deception to obtain food and a weapon from the priests of God. Now, he’s concealing his sanity before Achish, the king of Gath. Indeed, David had exhausted his resources as he poured out his heart to God.
Notice two observations from verse 18, which reminds David (and us) of God’s compassion for His people.
- The Lord is near the brokenhearted.
- The word brokenhearted, translated literally, means a shattered heart. In this context, it signifies a loss of hope. Previously, David said, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” Now, he’s saying, my hopes (the things my heart is set on) are shattered.
- Life offers many opportunities for our hearts to be shattered, from relationships to jobs, physical health, loss, financial hardships, and more. Indeed, if we live long enough and invest in relationships, we will endure intense trials.
- However, the critical point David elevates is not that the trials go away or never come but that the Lord is near those whose hopes are crushed–whose heart is broken.
- How many of us need to hear that today? God does not remove the pain but draws those in pain to Himself. God is with you!
- The Lord saves the crushed in spirit.
- The word, crushed, is used three times in the Old Testament. It’s used in Isaiah 57:15 about being “contrite” over sin. Psalm 90:3 translates the Hebrew word as “dust” and is concerning death.
- In the third instance, here in Psalm 34, the Hebrew word is translated as “crushed.” The context in which David uses this word presents his now “low-status position.” He has fled from Saul, he’s lied to God’s priests, and now he’s faking being insane to keep the Philistine king from killing him. He’s in what we would consider a low or place of being crushed.
- And it’s from that place of being crushed and low that David declares God saves His people.
- Have you ever been crushed emotionally or felt a low spirit? What/who do you turn to to get out of that dark time? In times of desperation, we can look to substances, relationships (spouse or children), work, or even hobbies. Indeed, these facets of life are helpful, but they are instruments in God’s hands to draw us to Himself so that we can rest in His kindness.
God, help us to remember that you are near the shattered hearts and save those with low spirits. You alone! Amen.
— August 29, 2024