Psalms34
New American Standard
1 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul will make its boast in the Lord; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
3 Exalt the Lord with me, And let’s exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord and He answered me, And rescued me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.
6 This wretched man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9 Fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no lack of anything.
10 The young lions do without and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the person who desires life And loves length of days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears are toward their cry for help.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers, To eliminate the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears And rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The afflictions of the righteous are many, But the Lord rescues him from them all.
20 He protects all his bones, Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil will bring death to the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will suffer for their guilt.
22 The Lord redeems the souls of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will suffer for their guilt.
Study
Psalms 34Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 34. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David praises God, and encourages to trust him. (1–10). He exhorts to fear. (11–22).
vv1-10
If we hope to spend eternity in praising God, it is fit that we should spend much of our time here in this work. He never said to any one, Seek ye me in vain. David's prayers helped to silence his fears; many besides him have looked unto the Lord by faith and prayer, and it has wonderfully revived and comforted them. When we look to the world, we are perplexed, and at a loss. But on looking to Christ depends our whole salvation, and all things needful thereunto do so also. This poor man, whom no man looked upon with any respect, or looked after with any concern, was yet welcome to the throne of grace; the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The holy angels minister to the saints, and stand for them against the powers of darkness. All the glory be to the Lord of the angels. By taste and sight we both make discoveries, and have enjoyment; Taste and see God's goodness; take notice of it, and take the comfort of it. He makes all truly blessed that trust in him. As to the things of the other world, they shall have grace sufficient for the support of spiritual life. And as to this life, they shall have what is necessary from the hand of God. Paul had all, and abounded, because he was content, Php 4:11–18. Those who trust to themselves, and think their own efforts sufficient for them, shall want; but they shall be fed who trust in the Lord. Those shall not want, who with quietness work, and mind their own business.
vv11-22
Let young persons set out in life with learning the fear of the Lord, if they desire true comfort here, and eternal happiness hereafter. Those will be most happy who begin the soonest to serve so good a Master. All aim to be happy. Surely this must look further than the present world; for man's life on earth consists but of few days, and those full of trouble. What man is he that would see the good of that where all bliss is perfect? Alas! few have this good in their thoughts. That religion promises best which creates watchfulness over the heart and over the tongue. It is not enough not to do hurt, we must study to be useful, and to live to some purpose; we must seek peace and pursue it; be willing to deny ourselves a great deal for peace’ sake. It is the constant practice of real believers, when in distress, to cry unto God, and it is their constant comfort that he hears them. The righteous are humbled for sin, and are low in their own eyes. Nothing is more needful to true godliness than a contrite heart, broken off from every self-confidence. In this soil every grace will flourish, and nothing can encourage such a one but the free, rich grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The righteous are taken under the special protection of the Lord, yet they have their share of crosses in this world, and there are those that hate them. Both from the mercy of Heaven, and the malice of hell, the afflictions of the righteous must be many. But whatever troubles befal them, shall not hurt their souls, for God keeps them from sinning in troubles. No man is desolate, but he whom God has forsaken.
Key Words
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
שָׁנָה: to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)
טַעַם: properly, a taste, i.e. (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate
פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
אֲבִימֶלֶךְ: Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites
גָּרַשׁ: to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
יָלַךְ: to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
בָרַךְ: to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵת: time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
Cross References
Psalms 34Peter directly quotes these verses regarding life, speech, and pursuing peace.
Supported by JFB
Peter quotes this verbatim to show that God's eyes are on the righteous and against evil.
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Fulfillment of Christ's bones not being broken on the cross, typified by the righteous man.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Christ exemplified this by speaking no guile, fulfilling the pattern of the ultimate righteous one.
Supported by JFB
The Lord dwells with the contrite spirit and the broken heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Angels minister to and encamp around those who inherit salvation and fear God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter directly echoes tasting 'that the Lord is gracious/good'.
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The phrase 'face of the Lord is against' is rooted in Pentateuchal warning formulas.
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The proper nature of boasting: glorying only in knowing and understanding the Lord.
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Elisha's vision of angelic protection illustrates the angel of the Lord encamping.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The young lions lacking and perishing matches the imagery of Psalm 34:10.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel wisdom teaching prioritizing being of a humble spirit with the lowly.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The historical background of David fleeing from Saul to Achish (Abimelech).
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Mary's Magnificat echoes the rich/lions sent away empty while the hungry are filled.
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The 'fear of the Lord' is the beginning of wisdom and instruction.
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