Psalms 34:20

20 Resh keeping all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.

Psalms 34:20 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 34:20

He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken.
] This is literally true of Christ, in whom the type of the passover lamb had its accomplishment, and this passage also; see ( Exodus 12:46 ) ( John 19:31-36 ) ; and seems better to agree with him than with any of his members, since the bones of many of them have been broken by one accident or another; and especially many of the martyrs of Jesus have had all their bones broken upon the rack or wheel; wherefore, to understand these words of them might tend to create uneasiness and despondency in the minds of such who by any means have their bones broken; as if they were not righteous persons, this promise not being fulfilled in them: and to interpret this of the Lord's keeping the bones of his people in the grave, and in the resurrection putting them together again; this is no other than what will be done to the wicked; it seems therefore best to understand the whole of Christ; and it looks as if this passage was had in view as fulfilled in ( John 19:36 ) ; since a Scripture is referred to; but if it is interpreted of the righteous in general, it must be with a limitation; as that their bones are all kept by the Lord, and not one is broken without his knowledge and will; and that they are not broken finally, but restored again perfect and whole in the resurrection, and so will continue to all eternity: the phrase, without entering into particulars, may in general design the care of Providence over the righteous; with this compare ( Matthew 10:29 Matthew 10:30 ) .

Psalms 34:20 In-Context

18 Tzaddi The LORD is near unto those that are of a broken heart and saves such as are of a contrite spirit.
19 Koph Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD shall deliver him out of them all,
20 Resh keeping all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.
21 Schin Evil shall slay the wicked; and those that hate the righteous shall be declared guilty.
22 Tau The LORD ransoms the soul of his slaves, and none of those that trust in him shall be declared guilty.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010