Psalms 34:12

What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?

What man {H376} is he that desireth {H2655} life {H2416}, and loveth {H157} many days {H3117}, that he may see {H7200} good {H2896}?

Which of you takes pleasure in living? Who wants a long life to see good things?

Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?

What man is he that desireth life, And loveth many days, that he may see good?

Commentary

Psalm 34:12 opens with a rhetorical question that resonates with the universal human desire for a fulfilling and lasting existence: "What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?" This verse serves as an engaging invitation, setting the stage for the practical wisdom and instruction that follow in the subsequent verses of the psalm.

Context

Psalm 34 is a psalm of David, composed during a tumultuous period in his life when he was fleeing from King Saul. Specifically, the superscription indicates it was written when David feigned madness before Abimelech (who was also known as Achish, the king of Gath, as detailed in 1 Samuel 21:10-15). Despite his perilous circumstances, David offers a song of praise and thanksgiving, testifying to God's deliverance and instructing others on how to live righteously to experience God's blessing. Verse 12 acts as a gateway question, drawing the reader in by appealing to their innate longing for a good life.

Key Themes

  • Universal Desire for Life and Goodness: The verse highlights a fundamental human aspiration โ€“ the desire for a long, prosperous, and meaningful life. It's a question that everyone can answer affirmatively, establishing common ground before delivering divine instruction.
  • The Nature of "Good": The "good" one desires to see is not merely material wealth, but a life characterized by peace, well-being, joy, and divine favor. It encompasses a holistic sense of flourishing that comes from living in alignment with God's principles.
  • Invitation to Wisdom: This rhetorical question implicitly promises that there *is* an answer, a path to achieving this desired life. It prepares the reader for the practical advice on righteous living that David is about to impart, beginning with guarding one's speech and seeking peace.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "life" here is chayyim (ื—ึทื™ึดึผื™ื), which is often used in the plural, suggesting not just mere existence but a vibrant, full, and abundant life. The term "good" is tov (ื˜ื•ึนื‘), a comprehensive word in Hebrew that denotes not only moral goodness but also pleasantness, prosperity, happiness, and overall well-being. It speaks to a life that is truly blessed and fulfilling in every dimension.

Practical Application

Psalm 34:12 challenges us to reflect on our deepest desires. Do we truly long for a life marked by divine favor and genuine "good"? If so, this verse serves as a powerful prompt to pay attention to the subsequent verses, which lay out the path to such a life. It encourages believers to:

  1. Examine Our Desires: Ensure that our longing for a good life aligns with God's definition of goodness, which often involves spiritual and moral well-being over fleeting worldly pleasures.
  2. Heed God's Instruction: Recognize that a truly good and long life, in the biblical sense, is not merely a matter of chance but is deeply connected to righteous living and obedience to God's commands.
  3. Seek Righteousness: The answer to this rhetorical question is found in the call to turn from evil and pursue peace, as articulated in Psalm 34:14. This echoes the wisdom tradition found throughout the Bible, such as in Proverbs 3:2, which links wisdom to "length of days, and long life, and peace."

This verse reminds us that God has provided a clear way for those who desire a truly blessed life to find it through faith and righteous living.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 3:10 (13 votes)

    For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

  • 1 Peter 3:12 (13 votes)

    For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.

  • Deuteronomy 30:20 (9 votes)

    That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, [and] that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he [is] thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

  • Deuteronomy 6:2 (8 votes)

    That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

  • Psalms 4:6 (5 votes)

    ยถ [There be] many that say, Who will shew us [any] good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

  • Psalms 91:16 (5 votes)

    With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:13 (5 votes)

    And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it [is] the gift of God.