Psalm 69:33 kjv
For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.
Psalm 69:33 nkjv
For the LORD hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners.
Psalm 69:33 niv
The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.
Psalm 69:33 esv
For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.
Psalm 69:33 nlt
For the LORD hears the cries of the needy;
he does not despise his imprisoned people.
Psalm 69 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 34:6 | This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him... | God hears the cry of the poor. |
| Ps 40:1 | I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. | God's attentive listening and response. |
| Ps 102:17 | He will regard the prayer of the destitute and not despise their plea. | God considers the prayer of the needy. |
| Ps 145:18 | The LORD is near to all who call on him... | God's nearness to those who call. |
| Prov 22:22-23 | Do not rob the poor... for the LORD will plead their cause... | God advocates for the oppressed. |
| Job 34:28 | so that they might cause the cry of the poor to come to him... | God hears the plea of the oppressed. |
| Isa 41:17 | When the poor and needy seek water... I the LORD will answer them. | God responds to the desperate cry of the poor. |
| Ps 9:18 | For the needy shall not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor perish forever. | God remembers and secures the hope of the poor. |
| Ps 22:24 | For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted... | God does not scorn the suffering. |
| Isa 49:14-16 | "But Zion said, 'The LORD has forsaken me...'" "Can a woman forget her nursing child... I will not forget you." | God's unwavering remembrance of His own. |
| Heb 13:3 | Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them... | Christian call to remember those in bonds. |
| Lam 3:31-32 | For the Lord will not cast off forever, but though he cause grief, he will have compassion. | God's ultimate compassion despite temporary grief. |
| Exod 34:6-7 | The LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger... | Declaration of God's compassionate character. |
| Ps 86:15 | But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious... | God's mercy and compassion. |
| Jas 5:11 | ...You have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. | God's compassionate nature revealed. |
| Ps 72:12-14 | For he delivers the needy when he calls... | Deliverance for the needy from the righteous King. |
| Ps 103:6 | The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. | God ensures justice for the oppressed. |
| Lk 1:52-53 | He has cast down the mighty from their thrones... He has filled the hungry with good things... | God's vindication of the lowly and needy. |
| Rom 8:38-39 | For I am sure that neither death nor life... will be able to separate us from the love of God. | God's inseparable love for His chosen. |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort... | God as the source of comfort in affliction. |
| 2 Tim 2:9 | ...for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal—but the word of God is not bound! | Perseverance despite being a prisoner for the word. |
| 1 Pet 4:19 | Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. | Entrusting oneself to God in suffering. |
| Isa 53:3-5 | He was despised and rejected by men... | The Suffering Servant (Messiah) who was despised, yet chosen. |
Psalm 69 verses
Psalm 69 33 Meaning
Psalm 69:33 declares God's inherent nature of compassion and justice towards the afflicted. It means that the LORD attentively hears and responds to the cries of those who are poor, helpless, and humble, especially those who trust in Him as their sole deliverer. Furthermore, He holds in high regard and does not scorn or abandon those who are confined, distressed, or suffer for His name's sake, viewing them as His own special care. This verse provides assurance that suffering and vulnerability, when aligned with faithfulness, draw divine attention and favor, not contempt.
Psalm 69 33 Context
Psalm 69:33 appears in a psalm of deep lament, expressing David’s profound suffering, public shame, and isolation because of his devotion to God. The psalmist is engulfed in distress, persecuted by enemies, and feels like a stranger even to his own kin. This specific verse follows a pivotal transition in the psalm: from intense imprecations and pleas for deliverance (v. 19-29) to a renewed commitment to praise and worship God (v. 30-32). It serves as the theological basis for this renewed hope and thanksgiving, declaring God’s faithful character as the guarantee of future vindication. The historical context for David often points to periods of intense opposition, such as during Absalom's rebellion, where he experienced ostracism and perceived abandonment, yet maintained his trust in God’s justice and mercy.
Psalm 69 33 Word analysis
- For (כִּי - Kî): This Hebrew particle serves as a strong connective, meaning "because" or "indeed." It introduces the foundational reason and assurance behind the Psalmist's hope and determination to praise God, despite his distress. It asserts a definite truth about God.
- the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, frequently translated as LORD in all capital letters. This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent, and unchanging nature, particularly emphasizing His covenant faithfulness and power in relation to His people. It points to God's relational commitment.
- hears (שֹׁמֵעַ - shomeaʿ): Derived from the root 'shama' (שָׁמַע), which means not just to perceive sound, but to listen attentively, to understand, and crucially, to respond or act upon what is heard. God's "hearing" is active and effective, signifying His readiness to intervene on behalf of the afflicted.
- the needy (אֶבְיוֹנִים - ʾevyonim): This plural noun refers to the poor, destitute, downtrodden, and humble. In biblical usage, "needy" often encompasses not only material poverty but also a spiritual posture of dependence, vulnerability, and lack of worldly influence, placing all hope in God. They are often victims of injustice.
- And does not (וְלֹא - wǝloʾ): A direct and strong negation, asserting a definitive aspect of God's character. It signifies God's unequivocal position or action regarding His "prisoners."
- despise (בָּזָה - bazah): To hold in contempt, to scorn, treat as worthless or insignificant, to disdain. It is the opposite of valuing or cherishing. The phrase emphasizes God's esteem and care for those who are suffering, in stark contrast to how society or adversaries might view them.
- His prisoners (אֲסִירָיו - ʾasirayw): From the root 'asar' (אָסַר), meaning "to bind," "to imprison." This refers to those who are literally confined in prison, but more broadly in this context, it includes those who are constrained, limited, or in bondage due to suffering, persecution, or the very circumstances of their faithfulness to God. The possessive suffix "His" is vital; it highlights a special, intimate relationship where these suffering individuals are personally owned and cherished by the LORD, differentiating them from other captives or prisoners.
- "For the LORD hears the needy": This phrase affirms God's active engagement with and concern for those who are humble, without recourse, and who rely entirely upon Him. His hearing is an act of merciful intervention, promising relief and justice to the truly helpless. It resonates deeply with the prophetic tradition of God as the champion of the vulnerable.
- "And does not despise His prisoners": This declares God's steadfast loyalty and unwavering affection for His suffering servants. They are not abandoned or considered worthless when they are in distress or confined—especially if their confinement or hardship is related to their devotion to Him. Instead, God uniquely owns them ("His") and holds them in high esteem, promising them ultimate vindication and release. This stands as a counter-cultural truth, where worldly powers often despise and discard those whom God values.
Psalm 69 33 Bonus section
The "needy" (ʾevyonim) often carry a spiritual nuance, denoting not just material lack but a profound dependence on God, acknowledging one's own insufficiency before Him. This humble spirit attracts God's attention. Similarly, "His prisoners" speaks to a divine ownership that transcends human power structures; even when outwardly bound, these individuals belong to God. This truth finds echoes in Christian experience where believers face trials, knowing their true freedom and identity are in Christ, despite external circumstances. While not a direct Messianic prophecy, this verse’s themes resonate with Christ's suffering, where, though despised by men (Isa 53:3), God did not despise His ultimate "Prisoner" for humanity's sake, but heard His cries and raised Him from the dead. This passage highlights that genuine worship emerges from an understanding of God's unshakeable character in caring for His own.
Psalm 69 33 Commentary
Psalm 69:33 stands as a profound declaration of divine compassion, providing a theological anchor for believers in distress. It underpins the Psalmist’s shift from anguished petition to resolute praise. The verse posits that God's attentive "hearing" of the "needy"—those humble, vulnerable, and trusting in Him—is not passive but signifies active response and intervention. Crucially, God "does not despise His prisoners," referring not just to those literally incarcerated but broadly to those constrained by hardship or suffering, particularly for their faith. The term "His" emphasizes a deeply personal, covenantal bond: those whom the world might scorn, God cherishes as His own. This verse offers immense comfort, assuring that suffering endured for righteousness' sake draws divine favor rather than abandonment, culminating in God's vindication of His people. This principle motivates perseverance through adversity.