Psalms 69:33

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 69:33 offers a powerful declaration of God's unwavering compassion and justice, assuring us that He attends to the needs of the vulnerable and does not abandon those in distress.

Context

This verse is a beacon of hope within Psalm 69, a deeply personal lament of David, who expresses profound suffering, betrayal, and isolation. Despite his intense anguish and pleas for deliverance from his enemies, the psalmist shifts from complaint and imprecation (as seen in Psalm 69:22-28) to a confident affirmation of God's character. It serves as a foundation for the praise and future hope expressed in the concluding verses of the psalm, anticipating God's ultimate intervention for His people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Attentiveness to the Poor: The phrase "the LORD heareth the poor" highlights God's active listening and deep concern for the economically disadvantaged, the spiritually humble, and those oppressed by life's circumstances. This echoes a consistent biblical theme of God's special care for the downtrodden, as seen in Psalm 34:6 where "this poor man cried, and the LORD heard him."
  • God's Unfailing Care for Prisoners: To "despiseth not his prisoners" means God does not scorn, neglect, or abandon those who are captive. This can refer to literal imprisonment, but also to anyone held captive by distress, persecution, or injustice. It assures believers that even in their lowest, most restricted states, God is present and deeply values them. This resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God's deliverance of captives, such as the Israelites from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:7) and the prophetic promise of freedom for captives.
  • Hope Amidst Suffering: This verse provides immense encouragement, affirming that God's justice and compassion are not limited by human circumstances. It reminds us that even when all seems lost, God remembers His covenant people and works on their behalf.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "poor" here, 'aniy, often denotes not just financial poverty but also affliction, humility, and oppression. It describes one who is brought low. "Prisoners," or 'asir, refers to those bound or fettered, emphasizing a state of confinement or severe restriction.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 69:33 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering presence and care. If you feel "poor" in spirit, financially struggling, or "imprisoned" by difficult circumstances, this verse affirms that God hears your cry and will not abandon you. It also calls us to embody God's heart for the vulnerable, extending compassion and practical help to those who are marginalized, oppressed, or unjustly confined, recognizing that God identifies with their plight. It inspires us to trust in God's ultimate justice and deliverance, even when circumstances seem bleak, knowing that God will never leave or forsake His own.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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:

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