The Bible: Psalms Chapter 34: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 34 By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.

1  I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh magnify the LORD with me. Let's exalt his name together.

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

5 They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.

6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The LORD's angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9 Oh fear the LORD, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.

10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.

14 Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.

15 The LORD's eyes are towards the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.

16 The LORD's face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.

17 The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

20 He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.

21 Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.

22 The LORD redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.

Footnotes

Verse 1
Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav).

Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 34 By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. Guide

In this psalm praise is personal. After the chorus of the last we have a solo full of feeling. It tells of the goodness of Jehovah and that in order that others may know and be helped. The opening declares this. The song is to be perpetual and the meek are to be made glad thereby. Then there is the desire to draw others into the same attitude of praise. It is good to go through simply to find the things Jehovah has done. "He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." "They looked unto him, and were radiant." "Jehovah heard him and saved him." His eyes "are toward ... His ears are open." "Jehovah heard, and delivered them." "Jehovah is night." "Jehovah delivereth." "He keepeth." "Jehovah redeemeth."

This is not an exhaustive list, for on the side of human reception many more things are said. It is a song which tells of the nearness, the tender sensitiveness, the ready help, the mighty power of Jehovah on behalf of all who trust Him. It is, moreover, rich in its lack of selfishness. The singer is eager for others to hear, to test, to praise, and he takes time to sing to the children that they also may know the secret of life.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 34 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. David praises God, and encourages to trust him. -- (1-10)
  2. He exhorts to fear. -- (11-22)

Verses 1-10

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.

Verses 11-22

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.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.