Proverbs 15:29

“The Lord [is] far from the wicked, etc.] Not as to his essence or powerful presence, which is everywhere, for he is God omnipresent; but with respect to his favour and good will, he is far from helping in distress, and from hearing their cries when they apply unto him in desperate circumstances; nor does he admit them to nearness and communion with him now, as he does the righteous; nor will he receive them to himself at the last day, but bid them depart from him; they are far from him and from his law, and from all righteousness; and he is far from them, and keeps them at a distance from him; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous; they draw nigh to him, and he draws nigh to them; he is…”

“far . . . wicked--in His love and favor (Psa 22:11; Psa 119:155).”

“Compare John 9:31. return to 'Top of Page'”

“15:29 The heart behind prayers determines whether God hears them.”

“far: Psa 10:1, Psa 34:16, Psa 73:27, Psa 138:6; Mat 25:46; Eph 2:12, Eph 2:13 he heareth: Pro 15:8; Psa 34:15-17, Psa 66:18, Psa 66:19, Psa 145:18, Psa 145:19; Isa 55:8, Isa 55:9; Joh 9:31; Rom 8:26, Rom 8:27; Jam 5:16-18; Pe1 3:12 Proverbs 15:30”

“29 Jahve is far from the godless; But the prayer of the righteous He heareth. Line second is a variation of 8b. God is far from the godless, viz., as Polychronius remarks, non spatii intercapedine, sed sententiae diversitate; more correctly: as to His gracious presence - חלץ מהם, He has withdrawn Himself from them, Hos 10:6, so that if they pray, their prayer reaches not to Him. The prayer of the righteous, on the contrary, He hears, He is graciously near to them, they have access to Him, He listens to their petitions; and if they are not always fulfilled according to their word, yet they are not without an answer ( Psa 145:18). Proverbs 15:30”