Proverbs 15:29

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(29) He heareth the prayer of the righteous.—For they desire above all things to do His will, and so their petitions to this effect are heard by Him.

Benson Commentary

Proverbs 15:29. The Lord is far from the wicked — They set him at defiance, and therefore he sets himself at a distance from them; they say to the Almighty, Depart from us, and he accordingly does depart, and is far from them; he does not manifest himself to them, has no communion with them, will not hear them when they cry to him, nor help them, no, not in the time of their need; and they shall be for ever banished from his presence, and he will behold them afar off to all eternity; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous — He will draw near to those in a way of mercy, who draw near to him in a way of duty; he hears and accepts their prayers, and will grant an answer of peace; he is nigh to them, even a present help, in all that which they call upon him for.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:29. God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance. 30. How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ! 31. Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life. 32. Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body. 33. The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Compare John 9:31.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

29. far … wicked—in His love and favor (Ps 22:11; 119:155).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Is far from the wicked, to wit, when they pray to him, as the next clause explains, and therefore doth not hear nor regard them, as he is said to be

nigh to the righteous, Psalm 34:18 145:18. But this farness or nearness respecteth not God’s essence, which is every where, but his gracious and helpful presence.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The Lord is far from the wicked,.... Not as to his essence or powerful presence, which is everywhere, for he is God omnipresent; but with respect to his favour and good will, he is far from helping in distress, and from hearing their cries when they apply unto him in desperate circumstances; nor does he admit them to nearness and communion with him now, as he does the righteous; nor will he receive them to himself at the last day, but bid them depart from him; they are far from him and from his law, and from all righteousness; and he is far from them, and keeps them at a distance from him;

but he heareth the prayer of the righteous; they draw nigh to him, and he draws nigh to them; he is nigh to all that call upon him in truth; and there is none like them that has God so nigh them as they have; his eyes are upon them, and his ears are open to their cries; he is a God hearing and answering their prayers, and bestows upon them the favours they ask for, and stand in need of.

Geneva Study Bible

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

29. Comp. John 9:31.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 29. - The Lord is far from the wicked. The maxim is similar to that in ver. 8 and John 9:31, "We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth." God is said to be "far" in the sense of not listening, not regarding with favour (comp. Psalm 10:1). His attention to the righteous is seen in Psalm 145:18, 19. The LXX. introduces here Proverbs 16:8, 9. Proverbs 15:29

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

29 Jahve is far from the godless;

     But the prayer of the righteous He heareth.

Line second is a variation of 8b. God is far from the godless, viz., as Polychronius remarks, non spatii intercapedine, sed sententiae diversitate; more correctly: as to His gracious presence - חלץ מהם, He has withdrawn Himself from them, Hosea 10:6, so that if they pray, their prayer reaches not to Him. The prayer of the righteous, on the contrary, He hears, He is graciously near to them, they have access to Him, He listens to their petitions; and if they are not always fulfilled according to their word, yet they are not without an answer (Psalm 145:18).