Psalms 34:17

Authorized King James Version

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Word-by-Word Analysis

צָעֲק֣וּ

H6817

The righteous cry

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

וַיהוָ֣ה

H3068

and the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

שָׁמֵ֑עַ

H8085

heareth

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וּמִכָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צָ֝רוֹתָ֗ם

H6869

them out of all their troubles

transitively, a female rival

הִצִּילָֽם׃

H5337

and delivereth

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The divine name or title here functions within worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the monarchic period, particularly David's reign (c. 1000-970 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The Israelite monarchy with its temple worship, court life, and constant military threats created the liturgical and emotional context for these prayers and praises. The ancient Israelite worship practices and court culture would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Temple archaeology and ancient musical instruments illuminate the liturgical context of Israelite worship.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about worship and praise?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?