Psalms 34:15
Psalms 34:15 in Multiple Translations
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry.
The eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their cry.
The Lord watches over those who do right, and he hears when they cry for help.
The eyes of the Lord are vpon the righteous, and his eares are open vnto their crie.
The eyes of Jehovah [are] unto the righteous, And His ears unto their cry.
The LORD’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
But they rejoiced against me, and came together: scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not.
Yahweh [MTY] carefully watches over those who act righteously; he always responds [MTY] to them when they call to him for help.
God looks after people that live the right way. And if they ask him for help, he listens to them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 34:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 34:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ס֣וּר
מֵ֭/רָע
וַ/עֲשֵׂה
ט֑וֹב
בַּקֵּ֖שׁ
שָׁל֣וֹם
וְ/רָדְפֵֽ/הוּ
ס֣וּר
çûwr
H5493
to turn aside
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
מֵ֭/רָע
raʻ
H7451
bad
Prep | Adj
וַ/עֲשֵׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
בַּקֵּ֖שׁ
bâqash
H1245
to seek
V-Piel-Impv-2ms
שָׁל֣וֹם
shâlôwm
H7965
Peace
N-ms
וְ/רָדְפֵֽ/הוּ
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 34:15
ס֣וּר
çûwr
H5493
"to turn aside"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.
Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.
מֵ֭/רָע
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Prep | Adj
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
וַ/עֲשֵׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
בַּקֵּ֖שׁ
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
V-Piel-Impv-2ms
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
שָׁל֣וֹם
shâlôwm
H7965
"Peace"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means completeness, wellness, and friendship, and is often used to describe God's relationship with humanity, as seen in the covenant with the Israelites. It encompasses physical and spiritual health, prosperity, and harmony.
Definition: This name means completeness, peace Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 209 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 15:15; Esther 2:11; Psalms 4:9.
וְ/רָדְפֵֽ/הוּ
râdaph
H7291
"to pursue"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.
Study Notes — Psalms 34:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 34:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 34:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 34:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 34:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 34:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 34:15
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 34:15
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 34:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 34:15
- Sermons on Psalms 34:15
Context — Taste and See That the LORD Is Good
13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.
14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.
16But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth. 17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Peter 3:12 | For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” |
| 2 | Psalms 34:17 | The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles. |
| 3 | Psalms 33:18 | Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion |
| 4 | Job 36:7 | He does not take His eyes off the righteous, but He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. |
| 5 | Psalms 130:2 | O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy. |
| 6 | Psalms 34:6 | This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 6:40 | Now, my God, may Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. |
| 8 | Daniel 9:17–23 | So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name.” While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain— while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision: |
| 9 | Isaiah 37:14–21 | So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to all the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all these countries and their lands. They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands. And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God. ” Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to Me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, |
Psalms 34:15 Summary
This verse, Psalms 34:15, tells us that God is always watching over and listening to people who are trying to live righteously, which means living according to God's will. It's comforting to know that God cares about us and is always ready to help us, as seen in Psalms 34:17. To experience this care, we need to trust in God and live according to His ways, as instructed in Psalms 34:13-14 and supported by verses like Proverbs 3:5-6, which remind us to trust in Him and acknowledge Him in all our ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the eyes of the LORD to be on the righteous?
It means that God is constantly watching over and caring for those who are living righteously, as seen in Psalms 34:15, and is reminiscent of His promise in Jeremiah 29:11 to have plans to prosper them.
How can we be sure God hears our cries for help?
According to Psalms 34:15 and Psalms 34:17, God's ears are inclined to the cry of the righteous, and He hears and delivers them from their troubles, giving us confidence in His love and care.
Is God only concerned with the righteous, or does He care about everyone?
While Psalms 34:15 specifically mentions the righteous, other verses like Romans 5:8 and John 3:16 show that God's love and care extend to all people, and He desires all to come to repentance and salvation.
How can we become one of the righteous that God watches over?
To become one of the righteous, we must put our faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in Romans 3:22, and live according to God's will, as guided by verses like Psalms 34:13-14, which instruct us to turn away from evil and do good.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate my trust in God's watching care over my life, as described in Psalms 34:15?
- How do I respond when I feel like God is not hearing my cries for help, and what can I learn from Psalms 34:15 and Psalms 34:17 about His character?
- In what ways can I seek to live righteously, as mentioned in Psalms 34:15, and turn away from evil, as instructed in Psalms 34:14?
- What are some practical ways I can seek peace and pursue it, as instructed in Psalms 34:14, and how does this relate to God's care over me?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 34:15
The eyes of the Lord [are] upon the righteous,.... These are the same with them that fear the Lord, and do good; not that they become righteous in the sight of God, or are justified before him, by
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The righteous. "The righteous" here answer to "them that fear Him," and "that hope in His mercy" (Psalms 33:18).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 34:15
This is added to prove his last assertion, to wit, that the practice of these duties, ,14, is the true and best, and indeed the only, way to see that good proposed and promised ; both because such righteous persons, howsoever they may meet with affronts and injuries from men, are under the special care and favour of God, in this verse; and those who do the evils there forbidden shall find to their cost that God is their enemy, .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 34:15
Psalms 34:15 The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.Ver. 15. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous] He seeth and weigheth the wrongs they sustain for peace sake, and they shall be no losers thereby; provided that their pursuit of peace proceed from the filial fear of God, which David here professeth to teach, Psalms 34:11. God’ s eyes are intent, his ears attent, to these righteous ones. Palam, clam (as Aben Ezra here), openly, secretly, he wilt right them and recompense them. Should not God see, as well as hear, saith another, his children should want many things. We apprehend not all our own wants, and so cannot pray for relief of all. He (of his own accord without any monitor) is wont to aid us. And his ears are open to their cry] Heb. are to their cry. Or, as St Peter hath it, His ears are into their prayers; to show, that though their prayers are so faint and feeble that they cannot enter into the ears of the Lord of hosts, yet that he will bow down and incline his ears unto, nay, into their prayers, their breathings, Lamentations 3:56.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 34:15
(15) The eyes.—A verse quoted in 1 Peter 3:12. (See New Testament Commentary). This psalm had a deep hold on the national mind. With the expression, “his ears to their cry,” we may compare the phrase, “to have a person's ear.”
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 34:15
15. With the first line cp. Psalms 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: cp. my cry for help was in his ears (Psalms 18:6).
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 34:15
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous - This is another of the ways in which the psalmist says that life will be lengthened out, or that those who desire life may find it.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 34:15
15-22. These closing words are devoted to an earnest digest of the moral government of God in redeeming the humble and contrite, and punishing the wicked. Broken heart… contrite spirit—Comp. Psalms 51:17; 1 Samuel 16:7.
Sermons on Psalms 34:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 2 by Richard Wurmbrand | This sermon emphasizes the importance of giving and listening, drawing from the story of St. Louis and the significance of prayer amidst distractions. It highlights the value of li |
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(Om Orientation) Our Weapons Faith - Part 2 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the idea that young people should not be despised but should set an example for believers in various aspects of their lives. The speaker ackno |
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1'st Sermon of the Church by James Booker | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their own spiritual journey and the lessons they have learned from studying the scriptures. They draw parallels between the current state of |
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The Eyes of the Lord Upon by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes that the eyes of the Lord are always watching over those whose hearts are upright towards Him, as illustrated in 2 Chronicles 16:9. He reflects on King Asa's f |
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Accusing God of Child Neglect! by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the misconception of accusing God of child neglect, emphasizing that God communicates with His children through probing questions that reveal our innermos |
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1 Peter 3:12 by John Gill | John Gill expounds on 1 Peter 3:12, emphasizing that the Lord's eyes are always upon the righteous, not just in the sight of men but through the righteousness of Christ. He reassur |
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1 Peter 3:13 by John Gill | John Gill expounds on 1 Peter 3:13, emphasizing that no one can truly harm those who follow God and do good. He reassures believers that God, Christ, angels, and even the law canno |