1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
Psalm 34, an acrostic poem in the Hebrew Bible, is a psalm of David. The superscription of this psalm in the King James Version (KJV) attributes its authorship to David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. The psalm's main themes are the praise of God for His goodness, the assurance of His protection, the advocacy for righteous living, and the contrast between the fate of the righteous and the wicked.
The opening verses of Psalm 34 are a passionate outpouring of praise to God. David declares, "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." (Psalm 34:1-3 KJV). These verses underscore the psalmist's commitment to continuously praise God, regardless of circumstances, inviting others to join in this joyful act of worship. The psalmist's praise is not contingent on his situation; it is a constant, unwavering act, demonstrating his profound faith and love for God.
In the subsequent verses, David recounts God's deliverance from his fears and troubles. He testifies, "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." (Psalm 34:4-6 KJV). This is a powerful testimony of God's attentiveness to the cries of His people and His readiness to deliver them from their distresses. It is a reassurance that God is a refuge and a rescuer for those who seek Him.
David proceeds to give moral and ethical instructions, emphasizing the importance of righteous living. He advises, "Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalm 34:14 KJV). This verse underscores the psalmist's conviction that a life pleasing to God is characterized by the pursuit of peace and the rejection of evil deeds. It is a call for believers to actively seek righteousness, reflecting their commitment to God's ways.
The latter part of the psalm vividly contrasts the fate of the righteous and the wicked. David affirms, "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." (Psalm 34:17-19 KJV). This affirmation reassures believers that God is attentive to their cries, close to the brokenhearted, and is a deliverer in times of distress.
On the other hand, David warns of the destructive end of the wicked, saying, "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." (Psalm 34:21-22 KJV). These verses highlight the divine justice that awaits those who oppose the righteous and reject God's ways.
In conclusion, Psalm 34 is a powerful psalm that encapsulates the essence of a life lived in reverence and obedience to God. It is a psalm of praise, a testimony of God's deliverance, a guide for righteous living, and a stark contrast between the fate of the righteous and the wicked. The psalmist's unwavering faith in God's goodness and protection, coupled with his commitment to righteousness, serves as a model for believers. His assurance of God's justice provides comfort to the downtrodden and a warning to the wicked.
The psalm's enduring relevance lies in its timeless truths: God is good, He hears and delivers those who cry out to Him, righteousness is to be pursued, and divine justice is sure. These truths continue to resonate with believers today, offering hope, guidance, and reassurance in the face of life's challenges.
In essence, Psalm 34 is a testament to the power of faith - faith in a God who is ever-present, ever-listening, and ever-ready to deliver. It is a psalm that invites believers to continually praise God, seek His protection, live righteously, and trust in His justice. It is a psalm that speaks to the heart of the believer, inspiring a life of faith that is rooted in the goodness and faithfulness of God.
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