Psalms 34:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The righteous cry {H6817}, and the LORD {H3068} heareth {H8085}, and delivereth {H5337} them out of all their troubles {H6869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

[The righteous] cried out, and ADONAI heard, and he saved them from all their troubles.

Berean Standard Bible

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.

American Standard Version

The righteous cried, and Jehovah heard, And delivered them out of all their troubles.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 34:17 offers a profound and enduring assurance that the fervent, desperate cries of God's righteous people are met with His immediate and active attention. It declares that the sovereign Lord not only hears their pleas but also intervenes powerfully to deliver them from the entirety of their struggles, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness and intimate involvement in the lives of those who seek Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 34:17 is nestled within a psalm of thanksgiving and wisdom, attributed to David following his miraculous escape from Abimelech (Achish) in Gath, as recorded in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Feigns Madness Before Achish"). The psalm opens with David's personal testimony of magnifying the Lord for His deliverance ([Psalms 34:1-3](/psalms/34-1 "Psalm 34:1-3 - David's Praise for Deliverance")), then transitions into an exhortation for others to "taste and see that the LORD is good" ([Psalms 34:8](/psalms/34-8 "Psalm 34:8 - Taste and See That the Lord is Good")). The verses immediately preceding verse 17 establish the Lord's attentive posture toward the righteous, stating, "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry" ([Psalms 34:15](/psalms/34-15 "Psalm 34:15 - God's Eyes and Ears Open to the Righteous")), and contrasting this with His judgment upon the wicked ([Psalms 34:16](/psalms/34-16 "Psalm 34:16 - The Lord's Face Against Evildoers")). Verse 17 thus serves as a direct, powerful affirmation of the active consequence of God's attentiveness, culminating in deliverance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's experience recounted in [1 Samuel 21](/1_samuel/21 "1 Samuel 21 - David Flees to Gath") was one of extreme vulnerability and desperation. Having fled from King Saul, David sought refuge among the Philistines, Israel's enemies. His act of feigning madness was a desperate, humiliating, and risky maneuver to preserve his life. In the ancient Near East, a "cry" to a deity often represented a last resort, a desperate appeal from one in dire straits, with the expectation that a powerful god would intervene on behalf of their supplicants. The concept of "righteousness" was understood not as moral perfection but as living in covenant faithfulness to God, striving to obey His commands, and maintaining a right relationship with Him. For a king or leader, divine favor and deliverance were seen as clear signs of their righteousness and God's endorsement, reinforcing their authority and the people's trust in God's active presence.

* **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 Responsiveness and Providence**, emphasizing that God is not a distant, passive observer but an intimately involved, attentive, and active deliverer in the lives of His people. Secondly, it highlights the **Efficacy and Importance of Prayer**, portraying the "cry" as a potent means by which the righteous engage with God, leading to tangible intervention. This aligns with broader biblical calls to prayer in times of distress, as seen in [Jeremiah 29:12](/jeremiah/29-12 "Jeremiah 29:12 - Calling Upon God"). Thirdly, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness and Deliverance**, promising rescue from "all their troubles," which speaks to God's comprehensive care and ultimate victory over adversity, even if the deliverance is not always immediate or in the expected form. Finally, it addresses the theme of **The Nature of the Righteous**, clarifying that God's promises are specifically for those who stand in a right relationship with Him, characterized by a posture of dependence and obedience, rather than self-sufficiency or rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cry (Hebrew, _za'aq'_):** This word signifies a desperate, urgent, and often loud appeal for help, typically in a situation of distress, oppression, or danger. It is not a casual request but an outcry born of desperation, indicating a profound need for immediate divine intervention. It conveys the intensity and earnestness of the suppliant's plea, reflecting a recognition of their own helplessness and God's ultimate power to rescue.
* **Heareth (Hebrew, _shama'_):** More than merely perceiving sound, *shama'* implies attentive listening that leads to understanding, acknowledging, and, crucially, responding or obeying. When applied to God, it means He not only registers the sound of the cry but comprehends its depth, takes it to heart, and is moved to act decisively on behalf of the one crying out. God's hearing is always active and purposeful, leading to intervention.
* **Delivereth (Hebrew, _natsal'_):** This verb means to pluck out, snatch away, rescue, or set free. It often implies a forceful or decisive intervention that removes someone from danger, difficulty, or oppression. It emphasizes God's power to extricate His people from perilous situations, highlighting His role as a rescuer who actively intervenes to bring about salvation or liberation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The righteous cry":** This phrase identifies the recipients of God's favor and intervention: "the righteous." In biblical terms, this refers not to moral perfection but to those who are in a right relationship with God, who seek Him, trust Him, and strive to live in accordance with His will. Their "cry" signifies a heartfelt, often desperate, prayer or appeal, acknowledging their dependence on God in times of trouble. It implies humility and a recognition of God's sovereignty.
* **"and the LORD heareth":** This clause reveals God's divine characteristic of attentiveness and responsiveness. The use of "LORD" (Yahweh, the covenant name of God) emphasizes His personal, relational commitment to His people. His "hearing" is not passive; it denotes an active, engaged listening that comprehends the depth of their distress and prepares for intervention. It signifies His compassionate awareness and readiness to respond to the pleas of His faithful ones.
* **"and delivereth them out of all their troubles":** This is the glorious promise and outcome of God's hearing. "Delivereth" signifies a powerful act of rescue, liberation, or salvation. The phrase "out of all their troubles" is comprehensive, suggesting that no hardship, no matter how great or overwhelming, is beyond God's capacity to overcome or provide a way through. While deliverance may not always mean the immediate removal of the trial, it guarantees God's ultimate rescue, provision, strength to endure, or spiritual victory in the midst of adversity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 34:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Synthetic Parallelism** is evident, where the second and third clauses expand upon and complete the thought of the first. "The righteous cry" sets the premise, which is then elaborated by "and the LORD heareth," and finally brought to its powerful conclusion with "and delivereth them out of all their troubles." This creates a logical progression from human supplication to divine attention and ultimate intervention. **Personification** is subtly present in the depiction of God's "hearing," which implies a conscious, empathetic, and active engagement with human suffering, moving beyond a mere sensory perception. Furthermore, the phrase "all their troubles" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance. While it might not literally mean every single minor inconvenience is instantly removed, it powerfully conveys that God's rescue is all-encompassing for the righteous in their significant trials, leaving no trouble unaddressed by His sovereign power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 34:17 stands as a cornerstone of biblical theology regarding God's active involvement in the lives of His people. It affirms His covenant faithfulness, portraying Him as a compassionate and powerful rescuer who is intimately acquainted with the sufferings of the righteous. This verse resonates with the broader biblical truth that sincere prayer from a righteous heart is not in vain but effectively moves the hand of God. It encourages unwavering trust in divine providence, reminding believers that even in the deepest despair, God's ear is open, and His arm is strong to deliver. The "righteous" are those who, by grace through faith, maintain a relationship with God, and it is to them that this profound promise of comprehensive deliverance is extended, underscoring the importance of a life aligned with God's will.

* [Psalm 50:15](/psalms/50-15 "Psalm 50:15 - Call Upon Me in the Day of Trouble")
* [Isaiah 65:24](/isaiah/65-24 "Isaiah 65:24 - Before They Call, I Will Answer")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the believer today, Psalms 34:17 serves as an anchor of hope and a powerful impetus for prayer. In a world often filled with anxiety, distress, and overwhelming challenges, this verse reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. It invites us to approach God with absolute confidence, knowing that our heartfelt cries are not only heard but actively heeded by the omnipotent Lord of the universe. This should transform our prayer lives, moving us from hesitant whispers to bold outcries, trusting in His compassionate and powerful intervention. While God's deliverance may manifest in diverse ways—physical rescue, emotional healing, spiritual strength to endure, or guiding us through the trial to a deeper faith—we can rest assured that He will ultimately bring us through "all their troubles." This verse also challenges us to examine our own lives: are we striving for righteousness, living in a way that aligns with God's will and honors His name? For it is to the righteous, those who seek Him and walk in His ways, that this promise is specifically given, encouraging a continuous pursuit of holiness and dependence on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the assurance that "the LORD heareth" impact my confidence in prayer during times of deep trouble?**
* **In what ways have I experienced God's "deliverance" from my troubles, even if it wasn't the immediate removal of the difficulty?**
* **What does it mean for me to be considered "righteous" in the context of this verse, and how does that understanding shape my daily walk with God?**
* **How might I cultivate a more desperate and sincere "cry" to the Lord, recognizing my complete dependence on Him?**

### FAQ
**Who are "the righteous" mentioned in this verse, and does this mean only perfect people receive God's help?**

Answer: "The righteous" in biblical terms does not refer to moral perfection or sinlessness, but rather to those who have a right relationship with God, who seek Him, trust Him, and strive to live in obedience to His commands. It describes a posture of the heart and a direction of life, characterized by faith and a desire to please God, even amidst imperfections and struggles. Therefore, this verse does not imply that only flawless individuals receive God's help; rather, it assures those who genuinely turn to God in faith and repentance that their cries will be heard and answered. God's grace extends to all who humble themselves and call upon Him, as seen in passages like [Psalm 34:18](/psalms/34-18 "The Lord is Near to the Brokenhearted and Saves the Crushed in Spirit"), which states, "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

**Does "delivereth them out of all their troubles" mean God will remove every single difficulty from my life instantly?**

Answer: While God certainly has the power to remove all troubles instantly, the promise of "delivereth them out of all their troubles" in Psalms 34:17 should be understood comprehensively, but not necessarily as an immediate or always physical removal of every single hardship. God's deliverance can manifest in various ways: physical rescue, emotional healing, spiritual strength to endure, wisdom to navigate challenges, or even ultimate salvation from the root causes of suffering (sin and death). It assures that no trouble is too great for God to overcome, and He will ultimately bring His righteous ones through every trial, providing what is needed for their ultimate good and His glory. This aligns with the New Testament understanding that while Christians face tribulation in the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "In the World You Will Have Tribulation")), they are promised divine peace and ultimate victory through Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 34:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "righteous" who cry out are perfectly embodied in Christ, who, though sinless, cried out to God in His earthly life, particularly in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Christ's Prayers and Obedience")). His cries were heard, not necessarily by immediate removal of His suffering, but by God's empowering presence and ultimate vindication through resurrection. For believers, our righteousness is not our own but is imputed to us through faith in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Therefore, when we, as those made righteous in Christ, cry out, the Father hears us because we are "in Christ." Jesus is the ultimate Deliverer, who by His death and resurrection has delivered us from the greatest troubles of sin, death, and the power of the devil ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Deliverance from Death and Fear")). He is our advocate and intercessor at the right hand of God, continually presenting our prayers to the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession for Believers")), ensuring that our cries are always heard and that God's comprehensive deliverance is applied to our lives, both now and eternally.

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

Psalms 145:18

The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Psalms 145:20

The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

Isaiah 65:24

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Psalms 34:19

Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalms 34:6

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

Psalms 91:15

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Psalms 34:15

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