Psalms 34
Psalm 34 is known as a song written by David after he pretended to act mad before the Philistines and then escaped a crisis. This chapter begins with praise and thanksgiving, as well as David’s testimony about God’s deliverance, and then goes on to describe God’s care for the righteous and encourages spiritual wisdom for life. Overall, Psalm 34 flows around the themes of thanksgiving, trust, reverence, encouragement, and promise.
| Verses 1-3 | An invitation to praise, along with praise to God |
| Verses 4-7 | David’s testimony about God’s deliverance |
| Verses 8-14 | Encouragement to fear the LORD and do good |
| Verses 15-22 | God’s different treatment of the righteous and the wicked, and His promise |
1verseBy David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.
2verseMy soul shall boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3verseOh magnify the LORD with me. Let’s exalt his name together.
4verseI sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5verseThey looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
6verseThis poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7verseThe LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8verseOh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9verseOh fear the LORD, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him.
10verseThe young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
11verseCome, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12verseWho is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?
13verseKeep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.
14verseDepart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.
15verseThe LORD’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.
16verseThe LORD’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory from the earth.
17verseThe righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18verseThe LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
19verseMany are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
20verseHe protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.
21verseEvil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22verseThe LORD redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.
Key Message and Overall Meaning
- An expansion of thanksgiving: The psalmist does not end his deliverance with only a personal experience; he invites the community to praise and give thanks to God together (verses 1-3).
- God’s response: The testimony of experiencing God’s help when crying out to Him in suffering and fear (verses 4-7) gives courage to come to God even amid life’s difficulties.
- Wisdom for life: He urges people to live reverently toward God, keep away from evil, and live truthfully and peacefully (verses 8-14). This suggests that faith should connect not only to what we say, but also to actions in real life.
- God’s protection and promise for the righteous: In all kinds of hardship and trials, it expresses the belief that God keeps the righteous and saves them (verses 15-22).
Meditation Points
- When you find yourself in trouble and fear, let’s check who I am looking for.
- Let’s remember the experiences of deliverance God has given me in my life, and set aside time to praise Him with thanksgiving.
- In the everyday work entrusted to me, let’s think about what my efforts to do good should look like.
Applying It to My Life
- Psalm 34 gives me the courage to come to God and rely on Him in every situation of my life.
- Even in times of suffering, I should practice an attitude of trusting God’s protection and guidance while doing good in the place where I am assigned.
- Also, I will need time to reflect on my own titles of thanksgiving and share that grace with the people around me.
