Psalms 69:34

Authorized King James Version

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Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

Original Language Analysis

יְֽ֭הַלְלוּהוּ praise H1984
יְֽ֭הַלְלוּהוּ praise
Strong's: H1984
Word #: 1 of 7
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
שָׁמַ֣יִם Let the heaven H8064
שָׁמַ֣יִם Let the heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 2 of 7
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וָאָ֑רֶץ and earth H776
וָאָ֑רֶץ and earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 3 of 7
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יַ֝מִּ֗ים him the seas H3220
יַ֝מִּ֗ים him the seas
Strong's: H3220
Word #: 4 of 7
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וְֽכָל H3605
וְֽכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רֹמֵ֥שׂ and every thing that moveth H7430
רֹמֵ֥שׂ and every thing that moveth
Strong's: H7430
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm
בָּֽם׃ H0
בָּֽם׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 7

Analysis & Commentary

For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners. This verse provides theological foundation for the encouragement just offered (verse 33). "The LORD heareth the poor" (כִּי־שֹׁמֵעַ אֶל־אֶבְיוֹנִים יְהוָה/ki-shomea el-evyonim YHWH) declares God's attentiveness to the needy, afflicted, and vulnerable. Evyonim (poor/needy) emphasizes material and social poverty. God isn't deaf to their cries but actively listens and responds.

"Despiseth not his prisoners" (וְאֶת־אֲסִירָיו לֹא בָזָה/ve'et-assirav lo vazah) declares God doesn't scorn, reject, or treat with contempt those imprisoned—whether literal captives or metaphorically those bound by suffering, oppression, or sin. "His prisoners" (אֲסִירָיו/assirav) indicates covenant relationship—they belong to God even in bondage. God doesn't abandon His people to their captivity but remains committed to their deliverance.

This theme pervades Scripture. God heard Israel's cry from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 2:24, 3:7). He brings prisoners out of darkness (Psalm 107:10-14). Christ came "to preach deliverance to the captives" (Luke 4:18, quoting Isaiah 61:1). The gospel is fundamentally message of liberation—God hears the enslaved and delivers them.

Historical Context

Israel's foundational narrative was liberation from bondage. The exodus demonstrated that Yahweh hears enslaved people's cries and intervenes powerfully to deliver (Exodus 2:23-25, 3:7-10). This shaped Israel's identity: they were the people God heard and rescued. Every subsequent deliverance referenced this original liberation.

"Prisoners" could be literal (those in dungeons, exile, or foreign captivity) or metaphorical (those bound by sin, oppression, or affliction). Throughout biblical history, God's people experienced both. David himself knew literal imprisonment and pursued status (1 Samuel 23-24). Israel faced exile in Babylon. Yet God repeatedly demonstrated He neither forgets nor despises His imprisoned people.

Jesus applied Isaiah 61:1-2 to His ministry: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me... to preach deliverance to the captives... to set at liberty them that are bruised" (Luke 4:18). His death and resurrection accomplished ultimate liberation from sin's bondage (Romans 6:6-7, 17-18, 8:2).

Questions for Reflection