Psalms34

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¹ I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

² I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

³ Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

⁵ Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

⁶ This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

⁹ Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.

¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

¹¹ Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

¹² Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

¹³ keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.

¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;

¹⁶ but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

²⁰ he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

²¹ Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

²² The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

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Psalms 34

Public-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

DavidH1732Hebrew

דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse

changedH8138Hebrew

שָׁנָה: to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)

behaviorH2940Hebrew

טַעַם: properly, a taste, i.e. (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate

beforeH6440Hebrew

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.)

AbimelechH40Hebrew

אֲבִימֶלֶךְ: Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites

drove him outH1644Hebrew

גָּרַשׁ: to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce

went awayH3212Hebrew

יָלַךְ: to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)

blessH1288Hebrew

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)

allH3605Hebrew

כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

timesH6256Hebrew

עֵת: time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.

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