The Eyes Of The Lord Watch Over The Righteous

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. Psalm 34:15

How do you feel knowing the Lord keeps His eyes and ears open to those who do right? That means God watches out for those who have accepted Jesus into our lives.

The introduction of Psalm 34 says that David pretended to be insane before Abimelech. So Abimelech sent him away. David took that occasion to offer praises to the Lord.

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. And I will boast only in the Lord; Psalm 34:1-2

He didn’t just praise God alone. No, David invited those with him to exalt God too. Likewise, all who read what the Psalmist wrote can consider it an invitation to join him.

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3

David not only praised the Lord, but he prayed to Him as well. He believed by faith that God would answer his prayer, so he shared that testimony with others. And he observed their joy.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:4-5

He knew the Lord focused his eyes on him. Therefore, David didn’t hesitate to take his needs to the Lord. Even in his desperate straits, David shamelessly offered his petitions to God.

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. Psalm 34:6

What’s Your Favorite Food?

Not to change the subject, but do you have a favorite food? I’m talking about something you like so much that you invite others to try it. Tapioca pudding ranks high on the list of my favorites.

My wife is a connoisseur of coleslaw. At picnics or covered dish meals, she would always ask if I had tried the coleslaw. Now it’s like a game to see which of us would first ask.

David had a favorite flavor that he asked people around him to try. He wanted folks to taste something better than food, though. His suggestion pointed towards the Lord.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

The phrase “taste and see that the Lord is good” invites us to experience God’s goodness firsthand. You taste something because you want to personally experience its flavor.

The Psalmist directed us to get to know God and trust in Him. The Lord watches over us with His eyes and loves us more than we could ever imagine.

David reached out by telling others to “taste and see” the Lord’s goodness. We should follow his example and invite our circle of friends to experience God’s goodness. He continued by saying.

Fear the Lord, you, his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Psalm 34:9

Did you notice who he addressed in that verse? He spoke to godly people. To fear the Lord means having a deep respect, reverence, and awe for God’s power and authority.

How Lord Treats Those He Fixes His Eyes On

When Christians fear the Lord, David said God will fulfill their needs. The next verse says those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

A non-Christian on the other hand, will experience the other fear. They will bow before the throne of God when He judges them. God, though, wants everyone to have a healthy fear of Him.

Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord. Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Psalm 34:11-12

What do you think gets people into more trouble than anything else? From experience, I know the answer to that question. Maybe you do, too. Definitely, the words we speak.

So, David asked the rectorial question, “Does anyone want to live a long and prosperous life?” Of course, everyone does. In the next verse he told us how.

Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Psalm 34:13-14

When you stop to think about it, we can’t please God if we lie or, say or do evil. David laid out the simplest way to keep from doing them. Just turn from evil and do good, plus one other thing.

Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Psalm 34:14

Where do we search for peace? Too many people search for it in the wrong places. We can only find it in Jesus. Let’s look at some of the verses in the Bible about peace.

Biblical Verses About Peace

Jesus said, God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

The eyes of the Lord watch over us, and His ears listen intently to our cries for help. Continually seek his peace and do good because God will turn away from those who do evil.

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. Psalm 34:16

We can appreciate biblical warnings like that because they help us constantly examine our hearts. But we’ll close with two verses of encouragement from the end of this Psalm.

The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:19
But the Lord will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22

Lord, thank you for keeping your eyes upon us. Don’t ever let us get to the place where you turn your face away from us.