Psalm 34:15-22

The Voice

¹⁵ For the Eternal watches over the righteous,
    and His ears are attuned to their prayers. He is always listening.
¹⁶ But He will punish evildoers,
    and nothing they do will last. They will soon be forgotten.
¹⁷ When the upright need help and cry to the Eternal, He hears their cries
    and rescues them from all of their troubles.
¹⁸ When someone is hurting or brokenhearted, the Eternal moves in close
    and revives him in his pain.

¹⁹ Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—
    they may often seem overwhelmed—
    but the Eternal rescues the righteous from what oppresses them.
²⁰ He will protect all of their bones;
    not even one bone will be broken.
²¹ Evil moves in and ultimately murders the wicked;
    the enemies of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Eternal will liberate His servants;
    those who seek refuge in Him will never be condemned.