Psalms 34:15

KJV

The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

KJV (with Strong's)

The eyes {H5869} of the LORD {H3068} are upon the righteous {H6662}, and his ears {H241} are open unto their cry {H7775}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The eyes of ADONAI watch over the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.

Berean Standard Bible

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

American Standard Version

The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous, And his ears are open unto their cry.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 34:15 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering and active attentiveness to those who live in right relationship with Him. It assures believers of the Lord's constant, vigilant watch over their lives and His compassionate readiness to hear and respond to their earnest pleas, providing deep comfort, security, and encouragement in every circumstance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 34 is an alphabetic acrostic psalm, though imperfectly preserved, attributed to David. It is a psalm of thanksgiving and wisdom, likely composed after David's escape from Abimelech (Achish) in Gath, as recounted in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David's Escape from Gath"). The psalm begins with David's personal testimony of deliverance and then transitions into an exhortation for others to "magnify the LORD with me" ([Psalms 34:3](/psalms/34-3 "Psalms 34:3 - Exhortation to Praise")). Verses 11-14 provide direct instruction on how to live a righteous life—"Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it" ([Psalms 34:14](/psalms/34-14 "Psalms 34:14 - Call to Righteous Living")). Verse 15 then serves as the divine promise and blessing that accompanies such a life, contrasting sharply with the fate of the wicked described in [Psalms 34:16](/psalms/34-16 "Psalms 34:16 - The Lord's Face Against Evildoers"). This immediate literary context highlights that God's attentive care is a direct consequence of living according to His will.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, a king and a man intimately familiar with both divine favor and desperate need, this psalm reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a benevolent ruler's responsibility to his loyal subjects. Just as an earthly king would be attentive to the petitions of his faithful people, so too is the divine King, Yahweh, infinitely more so. The anthropomorphic language of God having "eyes" and "ears" was a common and effective way for ancient peoples to conceptualize God's omniscience (seeing all) and omnipresence (being everywhere), and His active engagement in human affairs. The "cry" (Hebrew: _shav'ah_) was a culturally understood form of urgent petition, often made in times of distress or injustice, signifying a direct appeal to a higher authority for intervention. This cultural backdrop emphasizes the immediacy and sincerity of the interaction between the worshiper and God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 34 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Protection**, emphasizing God's active and vigilant care over His people, assuring them that they are never outside His watchful gaze. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Prayer and Petition**, affirming the efficacy and accessibility of prayer for the righteous, demonstrating God's compassionate responsiveness to their earnest pleas. Thirdly, it speaks to the theme of **Righteousness and Covenant Relationship**, defining the specific recipients of God's special favor—those who strive to live in accordance with His will and are in a covenant relationship with Him. This theme is further developed in the psalm's exhortations to "fear the LORD" ([Psalms 34:9](/psalms/34-9 "Psalms 34:9 - Fearing the Lord")) and "keep thy tongue from evil" ([Psalms 34:13](/psalms/34-13 "Psalms 34:13 - Guarding the Tongue")), establishing the conditions for experiencing this divine attentiveness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eyes (Hebrew, _'einei'_):** This term, when applied to God, signifies far more than mere passive observation. It denotes active, purposeful, and favorable attention. It implies a watchful gaze that encompasses intimate knowledge, providential care, protective oversight, and a discerning awareness of every detail concerning the righteous. God's "eyes" are not simply seeing, but seeing with intent to bless and intervene.
* **Righteous (Hebrew, _tsaddiqim'_):** In the biblical context, "righteous" does not imply sinless perfection, but rather a state of being in right relationship with God, characterized by integrity, moral uprightness, and a sincere effort to live in accordance with His revealed will and covenant commands. It describes those who are justified by faith and who consistently strive for obedience, walking in humility and seeking to honor God in their lives.
* **Cry (Hebrew, _shav'ah'_):** This word conveys a deep, urgent, and often desperate plea for help, typically uttered in distress, affliction, or a state of profound need. It is not a casual request but an earnest, heartfelt appeal that arises from a place of vulnerability and reliance on divine intervention. The use of this word emphasizes the sincerity and intensity of the prayers that God promises to hear.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous":** This clause establishes God's constant, vigilant, and favorable observation of those who are in right standing with Him. It signifies His intimate knowledge of their circumstances, His protective oversight, and His active care. It is a declaration of divine presence and a promise that the righteous are never out of His sight or beyond His concern. This watchfulness implies not just awareness, but also a predisposition to act on their behalf.
* **"and his ears are open unto their cry":** This second clause complements the first, assuring the righteous of God's compassionate readiness and accessibility to hear their prayers, especially those uttered in distress or urgent need. "Ears open" denotes an active receptiveness and willingness to listen, understand, and respond. It is a powerful affirmation of the efficacy of prayer and God's commitment to intervene on behalf of His faithful people when they call upon Him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently used, attributing human physical senses—"eyes" and "ears"—to God. This makes the abstract concept of God's omniscience, omnipresence, and active engagement more relatable and comprehensible to human understanding, emphasizing His personal and intimate involvement in the lives of His people. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second clause ("and his ears are open unto their cry") reiterates and reinforces the idea presented in the first clause ("The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous"). Both clauses convey the same core message of divine attentiveness and responsiveness, but from slightly different perspectives, thereby intensifying the assurance. Furthermore, there is an implied **Merism** in the combination of "eyes" and "ears," representing the totality of God's sensory perception and comprehensive engagement with the righteous, indicating that no aspect of their lives or pleas goes unnoticed by Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 34:15 is a cornerstone verse that beautifully articulates God's character as both sovereign and intimately involved. It speaks to His omniscience and omnipresence, affirming that no detail of the righteous person's life escapes His notice. More profoundly, it reveals His compassion and faithfulness, demonstrating that His awareness is coupled with a readiness to respond to the pleas of His people. This divine attentiveness is not arbitrary but is specifically directed towards "the righteous," underscoring the biblical principle that a right relationship with God, characterized by faith and obedience, is foundational to experiencing His favor and intervention. This verse offers immense comfort, assuring believers that their prayers are not uttered into a void but are received by a loving and responsive Father who actively cares for their well-being.

* [1 Peter 3:12](/1_peter/3-12 "1 Peter 3:12 - The Lord's Eyes and Ears on the Righteous")
* [Proverbs 15:29](/proverbs/15-29 "Proverbs 15:29 - God Hears the Righteous")
* [Psalm 145:18](/psalms/145-18 "Psalm 145:18-19 - The Lord is Near to Those Who Call")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 34:15 offers profound and enduring encouragement for believers navigating the complexities of life. Knowing that the "eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous" provides a deep sense of security and comfort, reminding us that even in our most isolated moments or deepest struggles, we are never unseen or forgotten by God. This truth should inspire a confident trust in His omnipresent care and providential guidance. Furthermore, the assurance that "his ears are open unto their cry" transforms our approach to prayer, moving it from a mere ritual to a vibrant, confident conversation with a God who genuinely listens and responds. This verse motivates us to cultivate a life of righteousness, not as a means to earn God's favor, but as a natural outflow of our relationship with Him, knowing that such a life aligns us with His will and positions us to experience His direct, compassionate intervention. It calls us to live with integrity, knowing that our every sincere plea reaches the very throne of grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the assurance of God's constant watchfulness ("eyes... upon the righteous") comfort you in times of difficulty or uncertainty?**
* **What does it mean practically to be "righteous" in a way that God's ears are open to your cry? Is it about perfection, or something else?**
* **How might this verse deepen your confidence and persistence in prayer, especially when answers seem delayed or different from what you expect?**

### FAQ
**Does "righteous" in this verse imply sinless perfection, or is it attainable for ordinary believers?**

Answer: The term "righteous" (Hebrew: _tsaddiqim_) in the biblical context does not denote sinless perfection, which is unattainable for humanity apart from Christ. Rather, it refers to those who are in a right covenant relationship with God, who have been justified by faith, and who earnestly strive to live in accordance with His will and commands. It describes a disposition of the heart that seeks to honor God, walk in integrity, and repent when falling short. For the Old Testament believer, this meant adhering to the Law and the covenant; for the New Testament believer, it means being made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ and then living out that new identity by the power of the Holy Spirit. God's eyes are upon those who genuinely seek Him and His ways, not those who are flawless.

**What if I am righteous, but my prayers don't seem to be answered or my suffering continues?**

Answer: This verse is a promise of God's attentiveness, not a guarantee of immediate or specific outcomes according to our desires. God's "ears are open" means He hears and understands, but His response is always according to His perfect wisdom, timing, and sovereign plan, which may differ from our expectations. The righteous throughout Scripture, including David himself, experienced periods of intense suffering even while God's eyes were upon them (e.g., [Psalm 22:1-2](/psalms/22-1 "Psalm 22:1-2 - My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?")). In such times, God's attentiveness provides comfort, strength, and the assurance of His presence, even if the trial is not immediately removed. His ultimate answer may be to sustain us through the trial, refine our character, or reveal a deeper purpose, rather than simply removing the difficulty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 34:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfectly righteous One, the only human being whose life was lived in absolute conformity to God's will, making Him the supreme object of the Father's watchful "eyes" and the one whose "cry" was always heard. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only perfectly embodied righteousness but also became the means by which sinful humanity can be declared righteous before God ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Now, through faith in Him, believers are clothed in His righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")), granting them the very access to God's attentive "eyes" and "ears" that was promised to the Old Testament righteous. Jesus Himself serves as our great High Priest and Advocate, interceding for us at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"); [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")). Thus, the promise of Psalms 34:15 is not merely a general principle but a living reality for all who are in Christ, whose prayers are now heard and whose lives are continually under the watchful, loving gaze of a Father who sees them through the perfect righteousness of His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

Psalms 34:17

[The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalms 33:18

Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Job 36:7

He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings [are they] on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.

Psalms 34:6

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalms 130:2

Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

2 Chronicles 6:40

Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and [let] thine ears [be] attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place.