How does Psalm 34:15 connect with 1 Peter 3:12? Verses in Focus • Psalm 34:15: “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” • 1 Peter 3:12: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Shared Imagery, Shared Assurance • Both passages use identical language—“eyes of the LORD” and “ears … open”—to picture God’s constant, personal attention toward His people. • The righteous are never off God’s radar; He both sees and listens. • The New Testament quotation confirms that this Old Testament promise still stands for believers in Christ. Unity Across Covenants • Peter cites Psalm 34 directly, showing that the God of David is the same God revealed in Christ (Hebrews 13:8). • Moral standards and blessings carried from the Law and Prophets remain intact in the age of grace: righteousness invites God’s favor; evil invites His opposition. • Other consistent voices: – Proverbs 15:29: “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.” – James 5:16: “The prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces results.” What Counts as “Righteous” • In Psalm 34, “righteous” refers to those who fear the LORD, refrain from deceit, and pursue peace (Psalm 34:11–14). • Peter applies the same ethic to Christians: turn from evil, do good, seek peace (1 Peter 3:10–11). • New-covenant righteousness centers on faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9) that manifests in holy living (1 Peter 1:15–16). Answering the Question Directly • 1 Peter 3:12 connects to Psalm 34:15 by repeating its promise verbatim, proving that God’s attentive care for the righteous is timeless. • Peter anchors Christian hope for answered prayer and divine protection in the very psalm David wrote, bridging Israel’s hymnbook to the church’s daily life. Implications for Us Today • Confidence: God’s eyes and ears remain fixed on those who trust Him. • Motivation: Pursue practical righteousness so nothing hinders prayer (1 Peter 3:7). • Sobriety: God actively resists evil; repentance is urgent (Psalm 66:18; Acts 3:19). |
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