God Saves & Exalts the Humble & Contrite at Heart

I share a plethora of biblical verses, which state that God has compassion and mercy for those who are broken in spirit and humble at heart, since it is these kinds of individuals that God delights in and saves.

“Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.” 2 Kings 22:19

“When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: ‘Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak.’” 2 Chronicles 12:7

“Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed.” 2 Chronicles 12:12

“You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.” Psalm 18:27

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

“For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:16-19  

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15

“The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.” Psalm 147:6

“He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” Proverbs 3:34

“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:2

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.” Zephaniah 2:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30  

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” Luke 1:52

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:6, 10

“‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5-6

Further Reading

John Calvin and Particular Redemption (https://www.samshmnthelogy.net/post/john-calvin-and-particular-redemption)