The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “lament” as “crying out in grief.” I believe that the beginning of David’s Psalm that we have looked at this week in Psalm 22 falls under the category of lament. After all, David openly and honestly expressed his feelings of utter abandonment before God in this Psalm. I think one reason David felt so comfortable sharing his feelings with God is that he understood God cares about us. He sees us in our pain and questions as we lament, and He is not distant. He is with us in our lamenting and in our sorrows every step of the way.
As he began to bring Psalm 22 to a close, David recognized God’s nearness. He wrote, “Praise the Lord, all you who fear Him!” (verse 23). Next, he explained why he implored everyone who feared the Lord to praise Him, saying, “He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned His back on them, but has listened to their cries for help” (verse 24). In other words, God does not abandon us, especially when we are in need. He is near. If He were not near, He would not see our struggles and suffering or hear our cries for help. This Psalm is not the only Psalm in which David expressed God’s nearness. He wrote in Psalm 34, “The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (verses 17-18). God is not aloof, watching us without compassion and care. Instead, He is near. Not only is He near, but He also rescues us when we cry out to Him. Now, God’s rescuing does not always look how we might expect, but He does rescue. Namely, the greatest rescuing of all is His rescuing from sin and death available to all who place their faith in Him through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, on the cross. David experienced God’s nearness even in his struggles and difficulties, and that nearness is available to all who come to Him and call on Him.
Take heart today, my friend. Yours is a God who cares for you. He sees you, your joys and heartaches, and He is not far off. He is nearby because He cares. May you rest in His comfort and protection that comes from His nearness.
Not only is God near to the brokenhearted, but He also uses us, His people, to bring hope and encouragement to those who are brokenhearted. Who do you know who is facing a difficult time right now? Reach out to them today with hope. Bring them a coffee and offer to pray for them, take them a meal, or do something else that you know can provide encouragement. Let them know that they are not alone in their heartache and struggles.
“God, You are a God who rescues His people. I praise You because…”
Psalm 34:1-22
1 I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. 3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. 6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. 7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! 9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. 10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. 12 Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? 13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! 14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. 16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. 17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. 20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. 22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
©2026 Sagebrush Church
