The Nearness of God in Brokenness: A Reflection on Psalm 34:18

At 5 Alone Threads, our mission is to “Dress with Purpose”—to create apparel that not only represents faith but opens hearts to the hope of the Gospel. One verse that profoundly speaks to the character of God, especially in times of sorrow and suffering, is Psalm 34:18.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

This verse isn’t just poetic comfort—it’s theological truth. It is a window into the mercy of God, the tenderness of Christ, and the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. Let's dive deep into what this verse teaches us through the lens of sound doctrine and trusted voices in the Reformed tradition.

The Context of Psalm 34: Affliction and Deliverance

Psalm 34 was written by David during a time of intense distress, as he fled from Saul and feigned madness before Abimelech. Despite his fear and uncertainty, David composed a song of praise. This sets the framework for the promise in verse 18: God's nearness is not merely a future hope—it is a present reality for those who are brokenhearted.

John MacArthur notes that the phrase “brokenhearted” refers to those “who are truly repentant and humbled by their sin and circumstances.” It’s not emotional instability that draws the Lord near, but spiritual poverty—the realization of our deep need for Him.

What Does It Mean to Be "Brokenhearted"?

The Hebrew word for "brokenhearted" (נִשְׁבְּרֵי־לֵב, nishberei-lev) implies deep emotional and spiritual shattering. It's the condition of a soul aware of its inability to fix itself. In Reformed theology, this is closely related to contrition—a broken and contrite heart, which God will not despise (Psalm 51:17).

Voddie Baucham emphasizes the weight of this verse when he speaks about the centrality of the Gospel in counseling those who suffer. “If we point people to their own strength or wisdom, we rob them. But if we point them to Christ, we give them everything.” The nearness of God is not therapeutic—it is redemptive.

The God Who Draws Near

In our modern culture, the phrase "God is near" is often sentimentalized. But Psalm 34:18 reminds us that God's nearness is not a mood—it is a covenant promise. For the Christian, it is fulfilled most fully in Christ.

The Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, “Christ’s blood is the key that unlocks God’s heart.” In Jesus, we see the ultimate expression of Psalm 34:18. He came for the broken, He touched the lepers, He wept with the grieving, and He bore the wrath that crushed Him for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5).

Application: A Call to the Crushed

If you are feeling crushed in spirit—under the weight of sin, grief, anxiety, or affliction—this verse is for you. It doesn't promise immediate relief or emotional escape, but it promises something greater: the nearness of the Lord.

MacArthur reminds us, “God is most present in our suffering. He is not distant or detached. He draws close to sanctify us through it.”

And Voddie Baucham challenges us: “God does not exist to make us comfortable—He exists to make us holy.”

How This Shapes Our Faith and Fashion

At 5 Alone Threads, verses like Psalm 34:18 don’t just influence our designs—they shape our identity. We wear Scripture not just as art, but as armor. We stand on promises like this one because they speak to every believer walking through sorrow, weakness, or repentance.

When you wear something that proclaims God's nearness to the brokenhearted, you’re offering silent encouragement to someone else. You’re showing that Christ meets us not in our strength, but in our surrender.

Closing Encouragement

Psalm 34:18 is a powerful reminder that God’s grace flows deepest in our weakness. Whether you are in a season of brokenness or walking with someone who is, let this verse root your hope not in change of circumstance but in the unchanging presence of the Lord.

Wear it. Believe it. Share it. He is near.

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Sources

• Biblical References (ESV)

  1. Isaiah 40:8 – "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

  2. James 4:14 – "For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

  3. Psalm 103:15-16 – "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more."

  4. Matthew 24:35 – "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

  Reformed Theological Influence

  1. John MacArthur – His teachings on the sufficiency, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture, particularly from The MacArthur Study Bible and The Battle for the Beginning, align with the theme of God's eternal Word.

  2. John Piper – His statement "We are to be Bible-saturated people" reflects his consistent emphasis on Scripture’s authority, found in sermons and writings like A Peculiar Glory and Desiring God.

  3. Sola Scriptura (The Reformers) – The concept that Scripture alone is the final authority is foundational in Reformed theology and was emphasized in the works of Martin Luther, John Calvin, and modern theologians like R.C. Sproul.