Psalms 69:33

KJV

For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the LORD {H3068} heareth {H8085}{H8802)} the poor {H34}, and despiseth {H959}{H8804)} not his prisoners {H615}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI pays attention to the needy and doesn't scorn his captive people.

Berean Standard Bible

For the LORD listens to the needy and does not despise His captive people.

American Standard Version

For Jehovah heareth the needy, And despiseth not his prisoners.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 69:33 stands as a profound declaration of divine compassion and unwavering justice, assuring all who are afflicted that the sovereign God actively hears the cries of the humble and the oppressed, never abandoning those who find themselves in states of confinement or distress. This verse encapsulates a core biblical truth about God's intimate concern for the vulnerable, providing a beacon of hope amidst suffering and a testament to His steadfast faithfulness in the midst of human trials.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 69 is a deeply personal and intense lament, attributed to David, expressing profound suffering, betrayal, and isolation at the hands of his enemies. The psalmist pours out his anguish, pleads for divine intervention, and even pronounces imprecations against his adversaries, as seen in passages like [Psalm 69:22-28](/psalms/69-22 "Psalm 69:22-28 - David's Imprecations Against His Enemies"). Amidst this emotional turmoil and desperate plea, verse 33 marks a significant pivot. It shifts from the psalmist's personal distress and calls for vengeance to a confident affirmation of God's character and His universal commitment to justice and compassion. This declaration serves as a theological anchor, providing the foundation for the subsequent expressions of praise and future hope that conclude the psalm, anticipating God's ultimate deliverance for His people and the establishment of His kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, the "poor" (`'aniy`) were not merely those lacking material wealth, but often encompassed the vulnerable, the oppressed, and those marginalized by society or circumstance. This could include widows, orphans, resident aliens, and those unjustly treated. Prisoners (`'asir`) faced dire conditions, often without due process or hope of release, and were among the most helpless. The cultural expectation was that the powerful would exploit the weak, yet the God of Israel consistently revealed Himself as a protector and advocate for the downtrodden. This verse reflects the covenantal understanding that YHWH, unlike human rulers, identifies with and actively intervenes for those in distress, upholding justice and showing mercy, a stark contrast to the often brutal realities of the ancient world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 69 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Attentiveness to the Vulnerable**, emphasizing God's active listening and deep concern for the economically disadvantaged, the spiritually humble, and those oppressed by life's circumstances. This resonates with the consistent biblical portrayal of God's special care for the downtrodden, as exemplified in [Psalm 34:6](/psalms/34-6 "Psalm 34:6 - The Lord Hears the Afflicted"), where "this poor man cried, and the LORD heard him." Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Unfailing Care for Captives**, asserting that God does not scorn, neglect, or abandon those who are bound or imprisoned. While referring to literal confinement, "prisoners" also metaphorically includes anyone held captive by distress, persecution, or injustice. This theme is deeply rooted in Israel's history, recalling God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage in [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "Exodus 3:7 - God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed"), and foreshadows prophetic promises of liberation for captives found in [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - Proclamation of Liberty"). Finally, Psalm 69:33 offers a profound message of **Hope Amidst Suffering**, affirming that God's justice and compassion transcend human circumstances, reminding believers that even when all seems lost, God remembers His covenant people and works on their behalf.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Poor (Hebrew, _‘aniy'_):** This term is richer than mere economic destitution. While it certainly includes those lacking material resources, _‘aniy_ broadly refers to one who is afflicted, humble, oppressed, or lowly. It often denotes a state of spiritual humility and dependence on God, born out of suffering or disadvantage. The "poor" are those who have no one else to turn to, relying solely on divine intervention.
* **Heareth (Hebrew, _shama'_):** The verb _shama'_ means more than simply perceiving sound. In a theological context, it implies an active, attentive listening that leads to understanding, recognition, and often, a responsive action. When the Lord "hears," it signifies His acknowledgment of a plea, His empathy, and His readiness to intervene on behalf of the one crying out.
* **Prisoners (Hebrew, _‘asir'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bind" or "to fetter," _‘asir_ refers to one who is bound, captive, or imprisoned. This can be literal physical confinement, but in the context of the Psalms, it often extends metaphorically to those held captive by distress, oppression, sickness, or any severe restriction that limits their freedom and well-being. The phrase "his prisoners" suggests a special relationship—those whom God identifies with and considers His own, even in their bound state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the LORD heareth the poor":** This clause establishes the foundational truth of God's character. The use of "LORD" (YHWH, the covenant name of God) emphasizes His faithfulness and personal engagement with His people. His "hearing" is not passive but an active, compassionate attentiveness to the cries of the afflicted and humble. It signifies His awareness of their plight and His readiness to respond with intervention and deliverance, reflecting His covenant commitment to justice and mercy for the vulnerable.
* **"and despiseth not his prisoners":** This second clause reinforces and expands upon the first, employing a powerful negative affirmation. To "despise" (Hebrew, _bazah_) means to scorn, reject, or treat with contempt. The declaration that God "despiseth not" His prisoners means He does not abandon, neglect, or devalue those who are confined or oppressed. On the contrary, He holds them in high regard, valuing their worth and acknowledging their suffering. The possessive "his prisoners" underscores God's intimate identification with those in bondage, indicating that they are His own, cared for and remembered by Him, even in their most vulnerable state.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 69:33 powerfully employs **Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry. Specifically, it uses a form of **Synonymous Parallelism** where the second line reinforces or echoes the meaning of the first, but with a slight expansion or nuance. "The LORD heareth the poor" is mirrored by "and despiseth not his prisoners," both clauses speaking to God's compassionate engagement with the vulnerable and oppressed. The negative phrasing "despiseth not" acts as a strong affirmation, emphasizing the active nature of God's care. Additionally, the verse utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions and emotions to God (He "hears," He "despises not"). This makes God's character relatable and underscores His personal involvement in human affairs, conveying His deep empathy and commitment to justice in a way that resonates profoundly with the human experience of suffering and hope.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 69:33 stands as a profound theological statement on God's unwavering character, revealing Him as the just and compassionate sovereign who actively engages with the suffering of humanity. It underscores His covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that He does not abandon those who are brought low, whether by poverty, oppression, or literal imprisonment. This verse affirms God's identification with the vulnerable, highlighting His unique concern for those often overlooked or exploited by human systems. It is a testament to His nature as a deliverer, promising that His "hearing" is not merely passive recognition but a prelude to redemptive action on behalf of His beloved.

* [Psalm 102:19-20](/psalms/102-19 "Psalm 102:19-20 - The Lord Looks Down from Heaven to Hear the Groans of the Prisoners")
* [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims Freedom for the Captives")
* [James 2:5](/james/2-5 "James 2:5 - God Chooses the Poor of This World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 69:33 offers immense comfort and a profound challenge to believers today. For those who feel "poor" in spirit, financially struggling, or "imprisoned" by difficult circumstances such as anxiety, illness, or injustice, this verse serves as a powerful affirmation that God hears your deepest cries and will never abandon you. It reminds us that our worth is not diminished by our circumstances, for God values us deeply, even in our lowest states. Beyond personal solace, this verse calls us to embody God's heart for the vulnerable in our world. It compels us to actively listen to the cries of the marginalized, to advocate for the oppressed, and to extend practical compassion and justice to those who are literally or metaphorically imprisoned, recognizing that God identifies with their plight. Our trust in God's ultimate justice and deliverance should fuel our present actions, inspiring us to be agents of His love and freedom, knowing that He will ultimately bring about His righteous purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Psalm 69:33 challenge your understanding of God's priorities and character, especially concerning those who are suffering or marginalized?**
* **In what ways might you be experiencing a form of "poverty" (spiritual, emotional, or physical) or "imprisonment" today, and how does this verse offer you hope and comfort?**
* **How can we, as individuals and as a community of faith, better embody God's heart for the "poor" and "prisoners" in our local and global contexts?**

### FAQ
**Does "poor" in this verse only refer to financial poverty?**

Answer: No, the Hebrew word _‘aniy_ (poor) used here has a broader meaning than just financial destitution. While it certainly includes those who are economically disadvantaged, it more comprehensively refers to anyone who is afflicted, humble, oppressed, or brought low by circumstances. This can encompass spiritual humility, emotional distress, social marginalization, or physical suffering. It describes a state of dependence and vulnerability, where one's primary hope is in God alone. Jesus Himself spoke of the "poor in spirit" in [Matthew 5:3](/matthew/5-3 "Matthew 5:3 - Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit"), highlighting a spiritual dimension of this concept.

**How does God "hear" and "not despise" His prisoners?**

Answer: God's "hearing" is not a passive act but an active, empathetic, and responsive engagement. It means He is fully aware of their suffering, He cares deeply, and He is moved to action on their behalf. To "not despise" means He does not scorn, neglect, or abandon them; rather, He values them, remembers them, and is present with them in their confinement. This can manifest in various ways: providing comfort and strength, orchestrating circumstances for their deliverance, or raising up others to advocate for them. It underscores His unwavering presence and commitment to His people, even in their most desperate situations. Believers are also called to remember those in prison, as exhorted in [Hebrews 13:3](/hebrews/13-3 "Hebrews 13:3 - Remember Those in Prison").

**Is this verse only for the physically imprisoned?**

Answer: While the verse certainly applies to those in literal physical imprisonment, the term "prisoners" (Hebrew, _‘asir_) in the Psalms often extends metaphorically. It can refer to anyone who feels bound or confined by difficult circumstances, such as chronic illness, oppressive relationships, deep grief, addiction, or systemic injustice. The message is that God is attentive to all forms of captivity and distress, offering hope and deliverance to all who are held captive by life's hardships, not just those behind bars.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 69:33 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "poor" and "afflicted" one, who "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Jesus fully identified with the marginalized and suffering, living a life of humility and experiencing rejection and betrayal, echoing the very lament of the psalmist. His mission, as proclaimed in [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement"), was to "proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." He is the one whom the Father always hears, and through His suffering, death, and resurrection, He conquered the ultimate prison of sin and death, offering true freedom to all who believe. Furthermore, Christ identifies with those who are literally imprisoned, declaring, "I was in prison and you came to visit me" ([Matthew 25:36](/matthew/25-36 "Matthew 25:36 - I Was in Prison and You Visited Me")), making our care for them an act of service to Him. Thus, Psalm 69:33 is not merely a promise of God's general care for the afflicted, but a prophetic whisper of the Savior who would embody that care perfectly, delivering His people from every form of bondage and never despising those He came to save.

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 68:6

God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry [land].

Acts 5:18

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

Acts 5:19

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Zechariah 9:11

As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein [is] no water.

Zechariah 9:12

¶ Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare [that] I will render double unto thee;

Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.

Psalms 146:7

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: