Psalms 34:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

This poor man {H6041} cried {H7121}, and the LORD {H3068} heard {H8085} him, and saved {H3467} him out of all his troubles {H6869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This poor man cried; ADONAI heard and saved him from all his troubles.

Berean Standard Bible

This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.

American Standard Version

This poor man cried, and Jehovah heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 34:6 stands as a profound testament to the Lord's attentive ear and comprehensive deliverance for those who, in humility and dependence, cry out to Him in their distress. It encapsulates the divine promise that when the afflicted and lowly call upon God, He not only hears their desperate plea but actively intervenes to rescue them from the entirety of their troubles, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness and sovereign power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 34 is an acrostic psalm, meaning each successive verse (or pair of verses in some traditions) begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This structured form often served as a mnemonic device and conveyed a sense of completeness or divine order. The psalm is a song of thanksgiving and wisdom, where David recounts his personal experience of God's deliverance and then invites others to "magnify the LORD with me" ([Psalm 34:3](/psalms/34-3 "Psalm 34:3 - Magnify the LORD")). Verse 6 serves as a pivotal personal testimony within this broader call to worship, illustrating the principle that seeking God leads to rescue, a theme echoed in the preceding verses where David sought the Lord and was delivered from all his fears ([Psalm 34:4](/psalms/34-4 "Psalm 34:4 - David Sought the LORD and Was Delivered")). The verse sets the stage for subsequent declarations of God's care for the righteous and His nearness to the brokenhearted ([Psalm 34:18](/psalms/34-18 "Psalm 34:18 - The LORD is Near to the Brokenhearted")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription attributes this psalm to David when he feigned madness before Abimelech (King Achish of Gath) and was subsequently driven away, as recounted in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Feigns Madness Before Achish"). This was a moment of extreme peril for David, fleeing from Saul and now trapped in enemy territory. His desperate act, though seemingly undignified, was a cry for survival, and he clearly perceived God's hand in his escape. The "poor man" (Hebrew: *ʿānî'*) in ancient Israelite society was not merely one who lacked financial resources, but often someone who was afflicted, oppressed, humble, and utterly dependent on God for justice and deliverance. This cultural understanding underscores the vulnerability and reliance on divine intervention that David experienced and expresses in this verse.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 34:6 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Psalms and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Responsiveness**, emphasizing that God is not a distant deity but one who actively hears and responds to the cries of His people. Secondly, the phrase "all his troubles" underscores **Comprehensive Deliverance**, portraying God's salvation as holistic, extending to every facet of human distress—physical, emotional, spiritual, and circumstantial. This comprehensive nature of God's rescue is a recurring motif, assuring believers that no trouble is too great for Him. Thirdly, the verse implicitly champions **Humility and Dependence**, as the "poor man" represents a posture of self-abasement and reliance on God rather than human strength or ingenuity. This theme is further developed throughout the psalm, inviting all who are humble to "taste and see that the LORD is good" ([Psalm 34:8](/psalms/34-8 "Psalm 34:8 - Taste and See That the LORD is Good")). Finally, the verse speaks to God's **Unwavering Faithfulness**, demonstrating His consistent character as a reliable deliverer who keeps His promises to those who seek Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **poor man (Hebrew, _ʿānî'_):** This term (עָנִי) is rich in meaning, extending beyond mere financial destitution. It primarily refers to one who is afflicted, humble, lowly, oppressed, or helpless. Crucially, it often carries the connotation of someone who, recognizing their utter dependence, turns to God for help rather than relying on their own strength or external resources. In this context, David identifies with this posture of humility and vulnerability before God.
* **cried (Hebrew, _zāʿaq'_):** The verb (זָעַק) denotes an urgent, desperate, and often loud cry for help. It is typically used in situations of deep distress, injustice, or imminent danger, signifying a plea that demands immediate attention and intervention. It is not a casual request but an impassioned appeal born of dire need.
* **heard (Hebrew, _šāmaʿ'_):** This verb (שָׁמַע) implies more than just the physical perception of sound. In a theological context, "to hear" God means to listen attentively, understand, and, most importantly, to act in response. When God "hears" a cry, it signifies His compassionate attentiveness and His readiness to intervene on behalf of the one crying out.
* **saved (Hebrew, _yāšaʿ'_):** The verb (יָשַׁע) means to deliver, rescue, liberate, or bring salvation. It conveys the idea of a powerful intervention that brings one out of danger, oppression, or a perilous situation into safety and freedom. Here, it highlights God's active and effective power to bring about a complete deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This poor man cried":** David identifies himself with the archetypal "poor man"—one who is afflicted, humble, and utterly dependent on God. His "cry" (zāʿaq) was not a quiet prayer but an urgent, desperate appeal born of extreme distress, as he faced mortal danger from King Achish. This highlights the posture of humility and desperation that precedes divine intervention.
* **"and the LORD heard [him]":** This clause emphasizes God's divine attentiveness and responsiveness. The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh, the covenant name of God) underscores His personal commitment and faithfulness to His people. God's "hearing" is not passive; it signifies His active engagement, compassionate understanding, and readiness to act on behalf of the one who cries out to Him.
* **"and saved him out of all his troubles":** This is the glorious outcome of God's attentive hearing. The word "saved" (yāšaʿ) denotes a complete and powerful deliverance. Crucially, "all his troubles" signifies the comprehensive nature of God's rescue. It implies that God's salvation is not partial but holistic, encompassing every form of distress—physical, emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial—that the individual faced. This speaks to God's absolute sovereignty and sufficiency in the face of any adversity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Personal Testimony** is central, as David recounts his specific experience, making the abstract concept of God's deliverance tangible and relatable. The phrase "This poor man" functions as a form of **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where David uses a general archetype (the humble, afflicted one) to represent himself, thereby universalizing his experience and inviting others to identify with it. The use of "all his troubles" is a powerful instance of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, underscoring the totality and comprehensiveness of God's deliverance, assuring the reader that no trouble is beyond God's saving power. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Cause-and-Effect Relationship** or **Parallelism** established: the act of crying out (cause) leads directly to God hearing and saving (effect), reinforcing the direct link between desperate prayer and divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 34:6 resonates deeply with core biblical truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity. It underscores the profound theological concept of God's immanence—His active presence and involvement in the lives of His creation, particularly those who seek Him. This verse affirms God as the ultimate Deliverer, whose power is not limited by the scope or severity of human suffering. It highlights the efficacy of prayer, demonstrating that humble, desperate cries do not go unheard but activate God's compassionate intervention. The "poor man" motif connects to the broader biblical emphasis on humility as a prerequisite for divine favor, reminding us that true strength is found in acknowledging our weakness and dependence on God. This truth is foundational to the covenant relationship, where God promises to be a refuge and strength for His people in times of trouble.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry and the LORD Hears")
* [Psalm 50:15](/psalms/50-15 "Psalm 50:15 - Call Upon Me in the Day of Trouble")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Gives Grace to the Humble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 34:6 offers profound encouragement and a clear directive for believers facing adversity in any form. It reminds us that our access to God is not contingent upon our status, strength, or self-sufficiency, but rather on our willingness to acknowledge our need and cry out to Him. In a world that often values self-reliance, this verse calls us to embrace a posture of humble dependence, recognizing that our greatest strength lies in our weakness when it drives us to God. It assures us that no trouble is too small to bring before the Lord, nor too great for Him to handle. When we feel overwhelmed, isolated, or utterly helpless, this verse invites us to unleash our most desperate cries, trusting that the same God who heard David will hear us and deliver us from "all our troubles," not necessarily by removing them instantly, but by sustaining us through them or bringing us out of them in His perfect timing and way. This promise cultivates a deep sense of peace and unwavering trust in God's comprehensive care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific "troubles" or areas of distress do I need to cry out to the LORD today?**
* **How does my understanding of the "poor man" in this verse challenge my own tendencies towards self-reliance or pride?**
* **Can I recall a time when I cried out to God in desperation and experienced His deliverance? How does that memory strengthen my faith now?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more consistent and urgent prayer life, especially when facing difficulties?**

### FAQ

**Who is "this poor man" in Psalm 34:6, and what does the term imply for us today?**

Answer: "This poor man" primarily refers to King David himself, recounting his desperate situation and miraculous escape from King Achish (as detailed in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Feigns Madness Before Achish")). However, the Hebrew word *ʿānî'* (עָנִי) signifies more than just financial poverty; it denotes someone who is afflicted, humble, lowly, and utterly dependent on God. For us today, "this poor man" serves as a representative figure for anyone who acknowledges their helplessness and turns to God in humility and desperation. It implies that God is attentive to the cries of all who humble themselves and recognize their need for Him, regardless of their social or economic standing.

**Does God truly save us out of "all" our troubles, or does this verse promise a life free of problems?**

Answer: This verse does not promise a life entirely free of problems or suffering. The phrase "all his troubles" speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's deliverance, meaning He is capable of saving us from *every kind* of trouble we face, whether spiritual, emotional, physical, or circumstantial. God's salvation can involve direct removal from a difficult situation, but it also encompasses His sustaining presence *through* the trouble, His provision of strength, wisdom, and peace in the midst of adversity, and ultimately, His eternal deliverance from the root causes of all suffering: sin and death. The promise is that no trouble is beyond His power or outside the scope of His care, and He will bring us through them for His glory and our good, as seen in passages like [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 34:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "poor man," not in material destitution (though He embraced humility, having "no place to lay His head" in [Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus Has No Place to Lay His Head")), but in His perfect humility, obedience, and utter dependence on the Father. Jesus, in His earthly ministry and particularly in Gethsemane and on the cross, "cried" out to God in desperate anguish ([Hebrews 5:7](/hebrews/5-7 "Hebrews 5:7 - Jesus' Prayers and Cries")). The Father "heard" Him, not by removing His suffering, but by sustaining Him through it and ultimately raising Him from the dead, thereby saving Him from the "troubles" of sin, death, and the grave. Through His resurrection, Christ secured the definitive "salvation out of all our troubles"—the ultimate deliverance from the power of sin, the sting of death, and the dominion of evil. Now, as our compassionate High Priest, Jesus Himself hears our cries and intercedes for us ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")), inviting all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest and comprehensive deliverance ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, offering eternal salvation from our greatest trouble ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 34:17

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

Psalms 34:19

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

Psalms 3:4

¶ I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psalms 10:17

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

Psalms 66:16

Come [and] hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Psalms 66:20

Blessed [be] God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

2 Samuel 22:1

¶ And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day [that] the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul: