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Deuteronomy 11:12
A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy Godare always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf ofthem whose heartis perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Psalm 11:4
The LORDis in his holy temple, the LORD'S throneis in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

his ears.

2 Chronicles 7:15
Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayerthat is made in this place.

Psalm 65:2
O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Proverbs 15:8,29
The sacrifice of the wickedis an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the uprightis his delight…

but.

Leviticus 17:10
And whatsoever manthere be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

Leviticus 20:3,6
And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name…

Leviticus 26:17
And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

against.

and His ears are inclined to their prayer
This part of the verse highlights God's responsiveness to the prayers of the righteous. The concept of God hearing prayers is a recurring theme in the Bible, indicating His willingness to engage with His people (Psalm 66:19-20). The phrase "inclined to their prayer" suggests an active listening, implying that God not only hears but is also ready to respond. This assurance is rooted in the covenant promises where God commits to being attentive to the cries of His people (Exodus 2:24). It underscores the importance of prayer as a means of communication with God and a demonstration of faith.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
This phrase serves as a warning and a contrast to the previous assurances given to the righteous. The "face of the Lord" symbolizes His presence and favor, and when it is "against" someone, it indicates disapproval and judgment (Leviticus 20:3). Those who do evil are those who reject God's commandments and live in sin. This reflects the biblical principle of divine justice, where God opposes the proud and punishes wickedness (Proverbs 3:34). The imagery of God's face being against evildoers serves as a deterrent, reminding believers of the consequences of sin and the importance of living a life pleasing to God.

• God’s watchfulness is personal and continuous.Proverbs 15:3 declares, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good,” and2 Chronicles 16:9 adds that His eyes “roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.”

• Being counted “righteous” is first about standing made possible through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), then about a daily walk that aims to please Him (Psalm 34:15).

• For believers, this verse promises more than mere surveillance; it is the steady, protective gaze of a Father who sees every threat, every need, every act of faithfulness (Psalm 121:4).

• The same God who sees also listens attentively.Psalm 34:17 echoes, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.”

• Scripture links answered prayer with righteousness of life: “The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail” (James 5:16). This is not earned favor but relational intimacy; when hearts seek His will,1 John 5:14 assures that “He hears us.”

• Conversely, cherished sin dulls heaven’s ear (Psalm 66:18). Turning from sin and walking in the light (1 John 1:7) keeps the communication line clear.

• God’s “face” represents His personal presence and favor. When sin is cherished, that favor turns to active opposition.Psalm 34:16 warns, “But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to sever their memory from the earth.”

•Isaiah 59:2 explains the barrier: “Your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

• This is sober encouragement to walk in repentance.Proverbs 2:22 notes that persistent wickedness ends in being “cut off from the land.” Divine justice is real, and mercy must not be presumed upon (Romans 2:4–5).

1 Peter 3:12 draws a sharp line: God’s attentive eyes and listening ears belong to the righteous, while His resolute face sets itself against evildoers. In Christ we are made righteous and invited to live righteously—confident of His watchful care and responsive to His loving correction.

Open unto their prayers.--Rather,are towards their prayer--i.e.,directed towards it. Here, as in1Peter 2:3, the Prayer Book version has influenced our translation.

Against them that do evil.--There is no difference in the Greek between this preposition and that just rendered "over."But the countenance of the Lord is over them that do evil things. Hemarks what they are doing. This is sufficient comfort when men injure us (1Peter 2:23); sufficient warning not to injure in return. It is instructive now to turn and see the circumstances in which this lovely Psalm was composed. The moment was one of David's extremest peril among an infuriated heathen population. The danger and dread he was in are shown in Psalms 56. Yet nothing can be brighter and more serene than Psalms 34. He had obtained life and days; and it was all through confidence in God on the one hand, and inoffensive self-submission on the other. Had he used violence--"shown spirit," as we say--like the "young lions," he would have come worse off. It seems to be for this cause that St. Peter deemed the Psalm so appropriate to his readers, misjudged and suspiciously watched (Psalm 56:5-6) by unbelievers, who only waited the opportunity to shed their blood (Psalm 56:1-2). But the striking change is that, whereas David's trust in Jehovah was a trust simply in the Eternal Being without distinction of Persons, St. Peter bids the Hebrews of Asia read that Psalm into an act of faith in Jesus. We shall see the same thing in1Peter 3:15, as we saw it in1Peter 2:3. The force of the change will be felt by any one who reads through that Psalm, substituting (like the Rheims version) "our Lord" for "the Lord." . . .