Psalm 34 20

Psalm 34:20 kjv

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Psalm 34:20 nkjv

He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.

Psalm 34:20 niv

he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Psalm 34:20 esv

He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

Psalm 34:20 nlt

For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!

Psalm 34 verses

Psalm 34 20 Meaning

Psalm 34:20 declares God's meticulous and comprehensive protection over His righteous ones. It means that God watches over and safeguards His devoted followers, preserving their entire being—symbolized by "all his bones"—so thoroughly that no essential part of them is lost or severely damaged. While initially a general promise of divine care for the faithful, its ultimate and most profound meaning is found in its prophetic fulfillment in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose bones were supernaturally preserved from being broken during His crucifixion. Thus, it signifies complete divine preservation, physically, spiritually, and eternally.

Psalm 34 20 Context

Psalm 34 is a psalm of thanksgiving, attributed to David. Its superscription notes it was written "When he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away." This refers to David's flight from King Saul, when he sought refuge with Achish, the king of Gath (1 Sam 21:10-15). To avoid being seized as an enemy, David pretended to be insane. God delivered him from this precarious situation, prompting David to write this psalm, which extols God's goodness, His deliverance of the afflicted, and His providential care for those who seek Him.

Verse 20 follows immediately from verse 19, which states, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." This sets up the idea that despite suffering, God’s care is so complete that no lasting harm, even physical, can fundamentally "break" His people. The phrase “all his bones” carries symbolic weight, representing the very core, integrity, and life of the person, within a context of David’s own miraculous physical safety.

Psalm 34 20 Word analysis

• He protects / He keeps (שֹׁמֵר - Shomer): This Hebrew word is a participle, indicating an active, ongoing, and diligent work of guarding and preserving. It conveys careful oversight and vigilant watchfulness. It suggests not a passive observation but an engaged, protective stance by God. God is consistently on guard over those who are His.

• all (כָּל - kol): This signifies totality and completeness. It means not some, or most, but every single part without exception. It emphasizes the comprehensiveness of God's protective action.

• his bones (עַצְמוֹתָיו - atz'motav): Bones represent the foundational structure of the body, symbolizing strength, vitality, and the very core or essence of a person. In ancient thought, bones were often associated with life and death, wholeness or ruin. A body with broken bones would be severely incapacitated or dead. Thus, to protect "all his bones" signifies safeguarding one's entire physical integrity and, by extension, the wholeness of one's life and being.

• not one (אֲחַת מֵהֶם - achat mehem): "Achat" means "one" and "mehem" means "of them." This phrase highlights the absolute precision and thoroughness of God's preservation. It reiterates that no single bone, no small part, no detail, will be missed in God's keeping. This underscores the complete and perfect nature of the divine safeguarding.

• will be broken (לֹא נִשְׁבָּרָה - lo nishbarah): The Hebrew verb is in the Niphal stem, indicating a passive action: "it will not be broken." This emphasizes that the protection is effectual. No force, however strong, can succeed in inflicting such fundamental damage on the one God protects. The breaking of bones signified destruction, severe injury, or humiliation. Its denial emphasizes enduring strength and victory over attempts to utterly destroy.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "He protects all his bones;": This clause introduces the active role of God as the meticulous guardian of the righteous, encompassing every facet of their being, symbolically represented by their physical framework. It sets a broad scope for God's divine care.
  • "not one of them will be broken.": This clause serves as a powerful affirmation and hyperbole. It emphasizes the perfection and unwavering effectiveness of God's protection. The specificity ("not one") guarantees the totality and invincibility of God's safeguarding, highlighting that no essential part of the righteous will suffer irreparable damage.

Psalm 34 20 Bonus section

The emphasis on "not one of them will be broken" not only speaks to physical integrity but also to the preservation of identity, spirit, and purpose. In the ancient world, to break one's bones was often a metaphor for severe defeat, humiliation, or death itself. Thus, the divine promise assures a complete triumph over such threats for the one who fears the Lord (Psa 34:9). Even when the righteous suffer "many afflictions" (Psa 34:19), God's protection is so potent that it negates ultimate breakage, ensuring that no essential component of their person is irretrievably lost. This provides a deep spiritual resilience, recognizing that external pressures or physical pain do not translate into inner destruction or a compromised faith due to God's vigilant guard.

Psalm 34 20 Commentary

Psalm 34:20 serves as a remarkable testament to God's precise and thorough care for His righteous. Initially, it reassures believers in David's time—and still today—that God’s protection is comprehensive, not allowing essential parts of their being or core identity to be destroyed even amidst intense suffering or trials. The "bones" symbolize not merely the physical skeleton but the very framework of one's existence, encompassing vitality, integrity, and essence. When God "protects all his bones," it implies His divine commitment to maintaining the wholeness and strength of His servant.

The deeper, more profound significance of this verse is unveiled in the New Testament. Its direct citation by John regarding Christ’s crucifixion (John 19:36) transforms a general promise into a specific messianic prophecy. The Roman custom was to break the legs of crucified victims to hasten death, but Jesus, already dead, had His bones supernaturally preserved. This directly fulfilled Psalm 34:20, establishing Jesus as the truly "righteous one" whose "bones" (His being, His mission, His unbroken body in sacrifice) remained intact. This also connects to the Passover lamb, whose bones were commanded not to be broken (Exod 12:46; Num 9:12), highlighting Christ as the perfect Passover Lamb sacrificed for sin.

Therefore, this verse teaches about God's intimate, personal, and meticulous care that preserves His people from utter destruction, both literally and figuratively. For the believer, it offers assurance of divine preservation even in the face of profound hardship, implying that no affliction can ultimately destroy the spiritual vitality or eternal hope that God bestows. While physical suffering may occur, God ensures that nothing essential for eternal life and divine purpose is fundamentally broken. This promise encourages unwavering trust in the Lord’s faithfulness, who meticulously oversees the destinies of His children, culminating in the complete work of salvation accomplished by the unbroken Christ.