Psalm 34 read carefully

In my last post I mentioned the importance of watching the pronouns the Psalmist uses when he writes. Psalm 34 is a great example. If you are reading haphazardly you may miss this:

17 When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.

21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.


In this passage we see that the righteous are spoken of once in the plural (them) and once in the singular (him). The singular use is a prophecy. It is telling us that when Jesus is afflicted the Lord will deliver him and not one of his bones will be broken. This is exactly how John read the Psalms here when he wrote his gospel (chapter 19):

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness— his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth— that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken."

I hope this encourages you to read carefully and meditate on the Word.

Blessings,

TG