Psalms 34:15

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 34:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous, And his ears are [open] unto their cry.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous, And his ears are [open] unto their cry.
Psalms 34:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 34

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous, And his ears are [open] unto their cry.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The eyes of the Lord [are] upon the righteous, etc.] These are the same with them that fear the Lord, and do good; not that they become righteous in the sight of God, or are justified before him, by their fear of him, and by their good works; but these are the fruits and effects of grace, showing them to be righteous persons; for it is only by the righteousness of Christ that men are righteous before God: and upon these the eyes of the Lord are; not only his eye of Providence, to watch over them, protect them, and supply them with good things, but his eye of love; with complacency and delight he looks upon them, as clothed with the righteousness of his son; and it is with pleasure he looks…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“eyes of the Lord are upon-- (Psa 32:8; Psa 33:18).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous - This is another of the ways in which the psalmist says that life will be lengthened out, or that those who desire life may find it. The Lord will be the protector of the righteous; he will watch over and defend them. See the notes at Job 36:7. And his ears are open unto their cry - That is, when in trouble and in danger. He will hear them, and will deliver them. All this seems to be stated as the result of the experience of the psalmist himself; He had found that the eyes of God had been upon him in his dangers, and that His ears had been open when he called upon Him Psalms 34:6; and now, from his own experience, he assures others that the way to…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“34:15-16 The Lord distinguishes between wise and foolish people; he shows his concern for the wise by rescuing them from trouble (34:15, 17-20), but he destroys the foolish (34:16, 21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“The: Psa 33:18; Job 36:7; Pe1 3:12 and: Psa 34:6, Psa 34:17, Psa 130:2; Ch2 6:40; Isa 37:14-21; Dan 9:17-23 Psalms 34:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification