John Calvin Commentary Psalms 34:19

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all." — Psalms 34:19 (ASV)

Many are the afflictions of the righteous. The Psalmist here anticipates the thought that often arises in the mind: “How can it be that God cares for the righteous, who are continually harassed by so many calamities and trials? For what purpose does the protection of God serve, unless those who are peaceably inclined enjoy peace and repose? And what is more unreasonable than that those who cause trouble to no one should themselves be tormented and afflicted in all variety of ways?”

Therefore, so that the temptations by which we are continually assailed do not shake our belief in the providence of God, we should remember this important lesson. Although God governs the righteous and provides for their safety, they are still subject and exposed to many miseries. This is so that, being tested by such trials, they may demonstrate their invincible constancy and experience all the more that God is their deliverer.

If they were exempted from every kind of trial, their faith would languish; they would cease to call upon God, and their piety would remain hidden and unknown. It is, therefore, necessary that they should be tested by various trials, and especially so that they may acknowledge that they have been wonderfully preserved by God amid numberless deaths.

If this were to happen rarely, it might appear to be fortuitous, or the result of chance. But when innumerable and interminable evils come upon them in succession, the grace of God cannot be unknown, as He always stretches forth His hand to them. David, therefore, admonishes the faithful never to lose their courage, whatever evils may threaten them, since God, who can as easily deliver them a thousand times as once from death, will never disappoint their expectation.

What he adds concerning their bones, significantly illustrates the truth of this doctrine and teaches us that those who are protected by God will be free from all danger. He therefore declares that God will take care that not one of their bones will be broken; in which sense Christ also says that

“the very hairs of our head are all numbered,” (Luke 12:7).