March 22, 2026

“The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:17–18

This psalm of David shows how different God’s ways and His kingdom are from the ways of man.

In the world, those who work hardest and perform best are often rewarded. This is not wrong, yet it is not how God’s kingdom operates. As the Lord says through Isaiah, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways… For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:8–9).

In Psalm 34, David speaks of the “saints” and the “righteous” as those whom the Lord hears and blesses. Who are these people? They are the humble, the fearful, the afflicted, those who seek the Lord and fear Him, those who desire life, and those who are broken and contrite in heart.

The Lord draws near to such people. These are His saints; these are His righteous ones. How different this is from the way of the world.

Here we see the heart of the gospel. Salvation is not for the proud. It does not come to those who approach God on their own terms, presenting their works as the reason for His favor.

“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Our Lord Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest… for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).

So who are God’s righteous ones? The Apostle Paul answers: “To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

In the world, the one who is rewarded is the one who has done the most and the best—and this is fitting in its place. But it is not the way into the City of God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

In God’s kingdom, the blessed are those who do not trust in what they have done, but who rest wholly in Him who delivers His people from all their sins, troubles, and afflictions. These are His righteous ones.