Psalms 34:15-22

15-22. These closing words are devoted to an earnest digest of the moral government of God in redeeming the humble and contrite, and punishing the wicked.

Broken heart… contrite spirit Comp. Psa 51:17 ; 1 Samuel 16:7.

Saveth Besides the national salvation of the covenant people, the Old Testament rises often to the New Testament apprehension of the salvation of individuals, whether Jew or Gentile, of a given class, in the text denominated those of a “contrite spirit.” Thus, also, it speaks of the “meek,” (Psalms 76:9;) the “humble,” (Psalms 22:29;) the “upright,” (Proverbs 28:18;) but not of the “wicked.” Psalms 18:41.

Keepeth his bones Compare Matthew 10:30.

Redeemeth The word first occurs Genesis 48:16, where it marks an advance in christological terminology, as the words “righteousness,” “believed,” “reckoned,” or imputed, do in Genesis 15:5. Jehovah is the Redeemer, but as under the law the redeemer must be a kinsman of the redeemed, (see Leviticus 25:24-25; Ruth 2:20; Ruth 4:1-8,) so Jehovah here assumes that relation, and in this idea the doctrine of the incarnation finds its Old Testament germ. See Job 19:25; Hebrews 2:14-18.

Shall be desolate Better, Shall be guilty; so, also, in Psalms 34:21. They shall not be classed with, and hence not treated as, the guilty. See on Psalms 26:9.