THE FULL ARTICLE — from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915), general editor James Orr — public domain, printed whole.

bro'-k'-n-har-ted (shabhar lebh; suntetrimmenoi ten kardian; Ps 69:20,21; Isa 61:1; Lu 4:18 the King James Version; "of a broken heart," Ps 34:18; "broken in heart," Ps 147:3): People who feel their spiritual bankruptcy and helplessness, and who long for the help and salvation of God. Such people are in the right condition to be met and blessed by God. Compare "of contrite spirit" (Ps 31:18; Isa 66:2).