“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NIV).
My new read was different from most of my nonfiction books. Written by a psychotherapist, it had been recommended to me by my husband early in our marriage, but it took me 18 years to finally read it. When I did, it felt like a cross between therapy and intense research. With each page, I was learning more about myself.
Eventually I was struck by a single, numerical list: 20 needs that should be fulfilled in the life of every child. If unmet, these needs have the potential to create wounds in unsuspecting adults.
I held my breath as I read through the list of needs: safety, validation, guidance, and many others. Those needs had not been met in my childhood with my single mother and absent, alcoholic father.
It all felt so overwhelming. I was a 42-year-old woman attempting to process wounds I was still discovering.
But God was not surprised.
He already knew His children would incur wounds in this life. He knew what we eventually discover: In a broken world, with broken people, sometimes we will get cut. I believe this is why God inspired the psalmist to pen the words of Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
The psalmist was specifically referring to the exiles of Israel, but these words are also applicable to all believers. God has concern for every brokenhearted individual.
In Psalm 147:3, God reminds us that His power is unlimited. He is mighty enough to heal all wounds no matter when or how they occurred in our lives. He is the Great Physician, able to reach into our pasts and heal our souls.
The verse says, “He heals,” meaning this healing is ongoing. It is not a one-time deal but rather a supernatural act that can recur in the lives of the brokenhearted. For as much and as long as we need healing, God’s compassionate care is available to us.
The Hebrew word for “brokenhearted” is defined in relation to the inner person, encompassing the mind, will, and emotions. Thus, the psalmist reminds us that God is capable of healing all types of wounds — physical, mental, and emotional.
God takes the time to tenderly bandage the wounded places in our lives so we can be made whole. This level of tender care communicates several truths about Him:
God cares about our broken hearts.
God’s healing power is infinite.
God loves His children deeply.
God can heal all wounds.
I have seen these truths in my own life. God has taken the little girl who grew up in a broken, dysfunctional home, and He is making her whole. God, my heavenly Father, is teaching me how to look to Him to meet every unmet need from my childhood.
In Him, there is safety, validation, and guidance. In Him, all our needs are met.
Dear God, thank You for Your tender care for the brokenhearted. Help me to trust and believe that You are able to heal every place in my life where I have been wounded. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your story has the potential to encourage someone, strengthen their faith, and point them to Jesus. But how do you know which stories to tell — and how to share them well? Our free resource, “Before You Tell That Story: Five Questions Every Writer and Speaker Should Ask,” written by Ruth Schwenk, Director of COMPEL Pro, will help you steward your story with wisdom, confidence, and purpose through a simple, biblical framework you can start using right away. Download your free copy today, and discover how God can use your story to make an eternal impact.
Kia has a heart to help women exchange their father wounds for the love of God. To delve deeper into this topic and discover several FREE resources for you, take the 10-question “father wound” quiz here. For more on this devotion, join Kia on her YouTube channel.
In case you're curious, the book that Kia references in today's devotion is called Healing the Child Within: Discovery and Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families by Dr. Charles Whitfield. Proverbs 31 Ministries does not endorse this book, as it is a secular resource and some of its content may not align with what we hold to be true as a ministry. If you choose to check it out, please use your discretion.
Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (NIV).
How are you encouraged by the truth that God heals all wounds? Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Kia Stephens. All rights reserved.
What We Believe
If your life feels too overwhelming, click here for our care and counseling resources.
Join the Conversation