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I. THAT GOD IS SPECIALLY INTERESTED IN THE EXISTENCE OF MAN ON THIS EARTH (vers. 15, 16).

1. Man is His offspring.

2. Man is His suffering offspring.

II. THAT GOD IS MAINLY CONCERNED WITH THE MORAL DISTINCTIONS OF MEN ON THIS EARTH.

1. Two classes of moral character are represented in the verses, and they are spoken of —

(1)  As "wicked," and "righteous."

(2)  As those that "trust in Him" and those that "hate the righteous."

(3)  As those that "do evil," and those that are "His servants." His servants are represented as broken in heart and contrite in spirit.

2. He sees all the other distinctions amongst men, physical, intellectual, social, political, religious. But these moral distinctions interest Him most, they are more affecting to His heart, more vital to the happiness of His creatures, more fundamental to the weal of His universe.

III. THAT GOD EVERMORE TREATS MEN ACCORDING TO THE MORAL CHARACTER WHICH THEY SUSTAIN ON THIS EARTH.

1. Look at His conduct towards the righteous.

(1)  He superintends them; His "eyes" and His "ears" are towards them. He keeps a vigilant watch over them.

(2)  He hears them. No mother's ears are half so quick to catch the cries of a suffering child as His ears to catch the cries of His afflicted people.

(3)  He is nigh them. Not in a mere local or physical sense, but in the sense of tenderest sympathy and regard.

(4)  He saves them. Deep, tender, and constant is His interest in them.

2. Look at His conduct towards the wicked.

(1)  He is against them for their ruin (ver. 16).

(2)  He allows their sin to destroy them (ver. 21).

(Homilist.)

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KJV: The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

WEB: Yahweh's eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.