For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Pet 3:12 also Psalms 34:15

The apostle’s purpose in telling us that the ears of the Lord are open to our petitions is to move us to persevere in prayer. ^[1]

• Eyes of the Lord to the righteous ^[2]
• • He is all- seeing God, nothing is hidden from His sight. God’s eyes are upon His creation. Hebrews 4:13
  • God is very active and attentive like a very observant person.
  • If eyes represent the whole person, then God as whole person very attentive to the righteous. Lk 10:23; Rev 1:7
  • One of the most important part of the body and Eyesight is a vital sense organ. Mt 6:22 See also Ps 54:7; Pr 20:12; La 4:17; Mt 11:5 pp Lk 7:22; Mt 20:33, Mk 10:51, Lk 18:41; Ac 28:27; 1Co 12:17
  • One person looking at another person can communicate even without any spoke words. God communicates to the His righteous by looking at them. Song of Solomon 4:9
  • One persons character, feeling, and emotions are reflected through eyes:
    • Malice: Ps 35:19; Pr 6:13; 10:10; 16:30
    • Haughtiness: Ps 101:5; Pr 21:4
    • anger; Mk 3:5
    • love Mk 10:21
    • Sorrow: Ps 88:9; Jn 11:33-35
    • Desire: 2Pe 2:14; 1Jn 2:16
  • God’s eyes are not simply looking on the surface level but He knows everything. He reads the human hearts. It is impossible to hide anything from God. God is aware of everything Job 34:21 See also 1Sa 16:7; Ps 94:9; 139:16; Pr 15:3; Am 9:8; Hab 1:13; Zec 3:9; 4:10; Heb 4:13
  • God’s eye for Care :: God watches over his people with care Ps 34:15 See also Dt 11:12; 1Ki 8:29; 9:3; Ps 1:6; 121:3-5; Pr 22:12; 1Pe 3:12
  • God’s eyes symbolise his assessment of human behavior. Ge 6:8 See also Ex 15:26; Jdg 2:11; 1Ki 15:5; 2Co 8:21

• Ears of the Lord – to those who prays
  • God’s ears symbolizes His attention, alertness or readiness to hear. Ps 116:1-2 See also 2Ki 19:16; 2Ch 7:15; Ne 1:6
  • God’s ear is especially alert to the poor and the oppressed, as well as to the righteous: Job 34:28; Jas 5:4, Ps 5:1; 31:2; 34:15; 88:2; 130:1-2; Da 9:18
  • God’s ear may be turned away if He refuses to someone. Ps 28:1 The refusal to turn an ear towards someone was a symbol of refusing to listen. See also Dt 1:45; La 3:56; Eze 8:18 God’s attending ear is partly dependent on human attitudes to him
  • God acts for the benefit of those who pray —to guide, guard, and deliver ^[3]
  • Prayer is the most effective practice of the righteous Eph 6:18
  • We all know with what a different feeling a parent beholds the children of strangers and his own. If his own child be in a situation of danger, his eye is upon it, to interpose in the time of need; and, if he were to hear its cry, all the tenderest feelings of his soul would be called forth, and all the efforts which he could make would be exerted for its relief. The inarticulate cry of an infant does not fall unheeded on a mother’s ear. So God hears, not the prayer only, but the sighs and groans of his people; and will fulfil the unexpressed desires of their hearts———“Even before they cry, he will answer; and whilst they are yet speaking, he will hear.” ^[4]

• Face of the Lord – against those who do evil but favor to those who do good

The main visual characteristic of a person. Facial features are recognisable as uniquely those of a particular person. The face also indicates mood and attitude. The showing or directing of the face towards someone or something may indicate regard, approval or determination, while hiding or turning away of the face indicates the opposite. ^[5]

• • God’s face as a symbol of blessing. Nu 6:25-26 See also 2Sa 21:1; 1Ch 16:11; Ps 4:6; 31:16; 67:1; 80:19; 105:4; 119:135; Eze 39:29
  • Seeking the Lord’s face means seeking his will 2Ch 7:14; Ps 27:8; Hos 5:15
  • God’s face may be turned away, hidden or set against people as a sign of opposition or removal from favour. Dt 31:17 See also Lev 17:10; 2Ch 30:9; Ps 44:24; Isa 1:15; 59:2; 64:7; Eze 14:8; 39:23; Mic 3:4; 1Pe 3:12; Ps 34:15-16
  • People represents their anger and emotions on their faces but as Christians we have to forgive and seek the face of God who acts Justly. People cannot normally see God’s face. Ex 33:20 See also Ge 32:30; Dt 34:10; Job 13:15; 19:26-27; 1Co 13:12; Rev 22:4 In the end all human beings will see God face to face. Isa 50:7 ^[6]
  • Anger excites the whole countenance of a man; love affects the eyes. ^[7]