Psalms34

David resolves to continually bless the Lord, recounting his personal deliverance from fears and troubles. He encourages others to taste and see the Lord's goodness, assuring them that those who fear Him will lack no good thing. The psalm contrasts the Lord's attentive care for the righteous with His opposition to the wicked. It concludes with the promise of ultimate redemption and preservation for His servants.
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Commitment to Perpetual Praise

1
A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. 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.

Testimony of God's Deliverance

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. ​

Exhortation to Taste and See

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. ​

The Path to a Blessed Life

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. ​

Deliverance and Redemption

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. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 34

Verse 1

The superscription links this psalm to David's feigned madness before Achish (Abimelech) in Gath (1 Sam 21), demonstrating that praise should follow deliverance, even when achieved through desperate means.

Verse 2

Boasting in the Lord means relying on His character and power, not one's own achievements. This reliance brings joy to the 'humble' (or afflicted) who recognize their own need for God.

Verse 6

David refers to himself as the 'poor man' ('ani), emphasizing his helplessness and dependence on God during his distress, setting an example for all the afflicted.

Verse 7

The 'angel of the LORD' is often understood as a manifestation of God's presence or a divine messenger, providing active, spiritual protection for the faithful.

Verse 8

This is a call to experiential faith, urging the reader to personally test and discover God's goodness and reliability through practical trust, rather than mere intellectual assent.

Verse 10

This verse contrasts the struggle of powerful natural forces (young lions starving) with the boundless, reliable provision available to those who seek the Lord.

Verse 11

The psalmist adopts the role of a wisdom teacher or sage, addressing the audience as 'children' and instructing them in the 'fear of the LORD,' which is the foundation of true wisdom.

Verse 13

Righteous living begins with controlling one's speech, recognizing that the tongue is the primary instrument for expressing guile, slander, or truth.

Verse 14

This is the core ethical instruction of the psalm: actively moving away from evil and proactively pursuing good, reconciliation, and shalom (peace).

Verse 16

The 'face of the LORD is against' is a powerful theological image illustrating God's active, personalized opposition and judgment against those who persist in wickedness.

Verse 18

God’s proximity is not based on status or power, but on humility and repentance. A 'contrite spirit' means a crushed or remorseful heart, ready to submit to divine will.

Verse 20

This image signifies complete, protective deliverance, even physical preservation. It is cited in the New Testament concerning Christ's crucifixion (John 19:36) as a prophecy of the Messiah's perfect preservation.

Verse 22

The final affirmation of God's role as Redeemer (go'el), ensuring that those who trust Him will not be condemned or left desolate, contrasting sharply with the fate of the wicked.

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