I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Psalms 34 is a powerful song of thanksgiving and instruction, penned by David after his harrowing escape from the Philistine city of Gath (1_Samuel 21:10-22:1). To avoid capture by King Achish, David feigned madness, an act that, by God's grace, secured his release. This psalm, born from a moment of intense vulnerability, is an acrostic poem, with most verses beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The New Testament also draws from this Psalm, with 1_Peter 2:3 alluding to verse 8, 1_Peter 3:10-12 quoting verses 12-16, and 1_John 19:36 referencing verse 20. Psalms 34 offers timeless lessons on praise, trust, and the unwavering protection God offers to those who seek Him.
A Constant Vow of Praise (Psalms 34:1-3)
David begins by declaring his steadfast commitment to praise the Lord “at all times” (Psalms 34:1). This isn’t a fair-weather praise, reserved only for moments of ease and prosperity. Instead, it's a conscious decision to magnify God regardless of circumstance. David's "boast" is in the Lord (Psalms 34:2), echoing Paul's sentiment that true boasting comes from knowing God (2_Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 6:14). He invites others to join him in magnifying God's name, urging them to "make Him appear as big as He truly is." This collective worship amplifies the joy and encourages fellow believers.
Delivered from Fear (Psalms 34:4-7)
Reflecting on his escape from Gath, David testifies that he "sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalms 34:4). The world is filled with fear-inducing situations, but David demonstrates that turning to God in prayer is the antidote. Those who look to Him will be radiant, their faces never covered with shame (Psalms 34:5). Even in weakness, when we feel like a "poor man" crying out (Psalms 34:6), God hears and saves. The "angel of the Lord," often understood as the pre-incarnate Christ, encamps around those who fear Him, offering divine protection (Psalms 34:7).
Taste and See (Psalms 34:8-10)
David extends an invitation: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalms 34:8). This isn't a superficial invitation, but a call to deeply experience God's goodness. Everything good in our lives originates from Him (James 1:17), and we can trust Him to provide what only He can. Even strong young lions may lack food, but those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing (Psalms 34:10). Seeking God, prioritizing His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33), positions us to receive the goodness He knows we need, regardless of the trials we face.
The Path to a Good Life (Psalms 34:11-14)
David turns to instruction, inviting his listeners to learn the "fear of the Lord" (Psalms 34:11). He poses the question: "Who is the man who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?" (Psalms 34:12). The answer lies in guarding one's tongue from evil and lips from speaking deceit (Psalms 34:13), turning away from evil and doing good, seeking peace and pursuing it (Psalms 34:14). The formula is simple: if God is good (Psalms 34:8), and we desire to experience good (Psalms 34:12), then we must do what is good (Psalms 34:14).
God's Watchful Eye (Psalms 34:15-18)
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry (Psalms 34:15). He is attentive to those who trust Him and submit to His kingdom agenda. He delivers them from their troubles and is near to the brokenhearted, saving those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:17-18). Conversely, God sets His face against those who do evil, blotting out their memory from the earth (Psalms 34:16). God is always paying attention, but how would you prefer Him to take notice of you?
Afflictions and Deliverance (Psalms 34:19-22)
David acknowledges that the righteous face many afflictions (Psalms 34:19). In fact, becoming a Christian can sometimes feel like placing a target on your back. But the Lord delivers us from them all! He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken (Psalms 34:20). While this can be seen as hyperbole, emphasizing God's protective power, it also foreshadows the Messiah. The Passover lamb was to be prepared without breaking any bones (Exodus 12:46), and Jesus' bones were not broken during His crucifixion (John 19:33-36), fulfilling this prophetic picture. David concludes with a powerful promise: those who hate the righteous will be condemned (Psalms 34:21), but those who take refuge in Him will not be condemned (Psalms 34:22). Placing ourselves under God's protection is the safest place in the universe.
Psalms 34 reminds us that even in moments of fear and uncertainty, we can find refuge in God's goodness. By consistently praising Him, trusting in His protection, and pursuing a life of righteousness, we can experience the fullness of His grace and deliverance.
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Psalms 34 is a powerful song of thanksgiving and instruction, penned by David after his harrowing escape from the Philistine city of Gath (1_Samuel 21:10-22:1). To avoid capture by King Achish, David feigned madness, an act that, by God's grace, secured his release. This psalm, born from a moment of intense vulnerability, is an acrostic poem, with most verses beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The New Testament also draws from this Psalm, with 1_Peter 2:3 alluding to verse 8, 1_Peter 3:10-12 quoting verses 12-16, and 1_John 19:36 referencing verse 20. Psalms 34 offers timeless lessons on praise, trust, and the unwavering protection God offers to those who seek Him.
A Constant Vow of Praise (Psalms 34:1-3)
David begins by declaring his steadfast commitment to praise the Lord “at all times” (Psalms 34:1). This isn’t a fair-weather praise, reserved only for moments of ease and prosperity. Instead, it's a conscious decision to magnify God regardless of circumstance. David's "boast" is in the Lord (Psalms 34:2), echoing Paul's sentiment that true boasting comes from knowing God (2_Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 6:14). He invites others to join him in magnifying God's name, urging them to "make Him appear as big as He truly is." This collective worship amplifies the joy and encourages fellow believers.
Delivered from Fear (Psalms 34:4-7)
Reflecting on his escape from Gath, David testifies that he "sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalms 34:4). The world is filled with fear-inducing situations, but David demonstrates that turning to God in prayer is the antidote. Those who look to Him will be radiant, their faces never covered with shame (Psalms 34:5). Even in weakness, when we feel like a "poor man" crying out (Psalms 34:6), God hears and saves. The "angel of the Lord," often understood as the pre-incarnate Christ, encamps around those who fear Him, offering divine protection (Psalms 34:7).
Taste and See (Psalms 34:8-10)
David extends an invitation: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Psalms 34:8). This isn't a superficial invitation, but a call to deeply experience God's goodness. Everything good in our lives originates from Him (James 1:17), and we can trust Him to provide what only He can. Even strong young lions may lack food, but those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing (Psalms 34:10). Seeking God, prioritizing His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33), positions us to receive the goodness He knows we need, regardless of the trials we face.
The Path to a Good Life (Psalms 34:11-14)
David turns to instruction, inviting his listeners to learn the "fear of the Lord" (Psalms 34:11). He poses the question: "Who is the man who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?" (Psalms 34:12). The answer lies in guarding one's tongue from evil and lips from speaking deceit (Psalms 34:13), turning away from evil and doing good, seeking peace and pursuing it (Psalms 34:14). The formula is simple: if God is good (Psalms 34:8), and we desire to experience good (Psalms 34:12), then we must do what is good (Psalms 34:14).
God's Watchful Eye (Psalms 34:15-18)
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry (Psalms 34:15). He is attentive to those who trust Him and submit to His kingdom agenda. He delivers them from their troubles and is near to the brokenhearted, saving those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:17-18). Conversely, God sets His face against those who do evil, blotting out their memory from the earth (Psalms 34:16). God is always paying attention, but how would you prefer Him to take notice of you?
Afflictions and Deliverance (Psalms 34:19-22)
David acknowledges that the righteous face many afflictions (Psalms 34:19). In fact, becoming a Christian can sometimes feel like placing a target on your back. But the Lord delivers us from them all! He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken (Psalms 34:20). While this can be seen as hyperbole, emphasizing God's protective power, it also foreshadows the Messiah. The Passover lamb was to be prepared without breaking any bones (Exodus 12:46), and Jesus' bones were not broken during His crucifixion (John 19:33-36), fulfilling this prophetic picture. David concludes with a powerful promise: those who hate the righteous will be condemned (Psalms 34:21), but those who take refuge in Him will not be condemned (Psalms 34:22). Placing ourselves under God's protection is the safest place in the universe.
Psalms 34 reminds us that even in moments of fear and uncertainty, we can find refuge in God's goodness. By consistently praising Him, trusting in His protection, and pursuing a life of righteousness, we can experience the fullness of His grace and deliverance.