Psalm 34:18

I pulled a scrap of folded paper out of my jacket pocket and read this verse I had written: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18. Hmm, I didn’t remember when or why I saved it, so I crumpled it up and threw it into the wastepaper basket.

And then I immediately retrieved it.

I suddenly remembered how God works. He wouldn’t have given me that verse, and I wouldn’t have saved it for no reason. I tucked it away in my purse and forgot about it.

Psalm 34:18- 2 lit candle lanterns on a beach at sunset

The Lord is Close to the Brokenhearted

Fast forward and I’m sitting in a funeral for a close neighbor who passed away very unexpectedly. Broken-hearted people were all around me. No matter how hard I tried to “keep it together”, the tears kept up a steady pace.

Crushed in Spirit

This was our fourth funeral in four months. This was the third unexpected and difficult loss. I remembered the words on my scrap of paper. I needed God to be close by and rescue my broken-hearted and crushed spirit.

My deep sadness at these funerals was from experiencing a sense of loss.

I sometimes tell God “it’s not fair.” It seems wrong that evil people abound and the truly meek and lovely human beings leave this earth at what seems to us as “too early.”

I believe God’s timing is always perfect and when he tells me he is close to us at these times, but how can I really feel Him nearby? How does he rescue us?

God Speaks to Us Through His Word

I began digging for truths to experience how he comes close to us in those moments and for the ways he can save my spirit. I knew if I could hear his voice, I could discover his peace.

Bible Verses for the Weary and Brokenhearted

  • He never leaves us but is quietly by our side, day and night. His presence is continual. He is always leading us and following us; there is no escaping him. His hand guides us, his strength continually supports us. (Psalm 139: 5, 7, 10)
  • He’s waiting for us, always willing to listen. He can hear you. Ask him for the help you need- rest, calm, peace, a quiet mind, or to soothe your hurt.  The Lord is close to all who call on him. (Psalm 145:18)
  • He is holding you in his arms!  “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.” Deuteronomy 33:27a.
  • Jesus knows your hurt; he has felt the pain and emotions of your deep sorrow- “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death.” Matthew 26:38 He truly understands how you are feeling and wants to give you strength and comfort.
  • God is your safe place and the source of your strength, always ready to help you. Always. ( Psalm 46:1)
  • He wants you to feel him near so you will not be afraid or become discouraged. He will strengthen you and help you. (Isaiah 41:10)

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

  • He gives you inner strength through the Holy Spirit living within you.  You can be empowered through the glorious, unlimited resources of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 3:16)
  • When we are too weak to even speak, the Holy Spirit joins with us to pray to our Father for us. (Romans 8:26)
  • Tears are OK. Sometimes they are the only prayers we have. Seeing Lazarus’s mourners deeply moved Jesus, and he wept when he arrived at his tomb. (John 11:35)
  • Give all your worries and cares to God. Put them into his hands. He loves you and wants to give you the rest you need. (1 Peter 5:7)

The Peace of God

  • Turn your worries and needs into prayers, tell him your concerns. He promises peace to guard your heart and your mind that exceeds anything we can understand. (Philippians 4:6-7)
  • God knows the pain and suffering in our lives. It grieves him too. He does not sit on his throne throwing thunderbolts of death and despair onto his people. That is incompatible with his character. “For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” Lamentations 3:33

Bible Verses about Being Broken

  • Instead, God lovingly gives us encouragement and comfort to help us through our brokenness and our crushed spirits. It is an everlasting comfort, available 24/7. (2 Thessalonians 2:16 )
  • God promises to be our source of courage and help and to lean in close to us when we are hurting.  “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18.

Read through the above verses slowly- ask God to show himself to you in all the ways he promises. It has helped me lately to even speak them out loud.

He also sends comfort through music and song lyrics that speak to his love and care.  A caring community of friends and family can help us battle loneliness and sadness. The prayers of God’s people are powerful. Ask for them.

When our hearts are breaking and we need rescuing (for whatever reason!), God wants to be our place of refuge and strength. He walks by our side throughout our whole lives. He wants his presence to heal our hearts. Talk to him, even if it to just say his name.

He’s listening.

Blessings,

AnnMarie

All Scripture is taken from the NIV unless specified otherwise.

Would you like a printable version of Bible Verses for the Brokenhearted? Click on the image below! It is also available in my Resource Library under “Bible Verses.”

Bible verses for the broken hearted- page of Bible verses on letter document, small garland of blue and green flowers in upper left corner; dark aqua border

4 thoughts on “Psalm 34:18”

  1. I am heartbroken and need Gods love and intervention to cope with my current life circumstances. I need to feel his love and guidance to get through.

    1. I am so sorry, Chris, to hear of your broken heart. I am praying for you right now and will add you to my daily prayer list. I thank God that you have come to the perfect place to be comforted and find peace- to Him. He has been in your “shoes”, He has felt despair and pain. He desperately wants you to feel His love and guidance in your life today. Tell Him everything, listen for His responses. He sees you and hears you! Here is a printable version of some of the Bible verses from the post; they are His promises to you which He will never break! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ul3vvKAAxfaKTVkRKazDH9FKJNs3_LDN/view?usp=sharing God bless you Chris!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top