Psalms 34:14

KJV

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Depart {H5493} from evil {H7451}, and do {H6213} good {H2896}; seek {H1245} peace {H7965}, and pursue {H7291} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

turn from evil, and do good; seek peace, go after it!

Berean Standard Bible

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 34:14 offers a profound and practical four-fold instruction for righteous living, serving as a concise blueprint for ethical and spiritual conduct that promises divine favor. It calls believers to actively disengage from all forms of wickedness, intentionally engage in acts of goodness, earnestly desire and diligently strive for holistic well-being, and pursue harmony in all relationships. This verse encapsulates a dynamic and proactive approach to faith, emphasizing that a blessed life is not merely about avoiding sin but about a relentless pursuit of God's character and purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 34 is a wisdom psalm, an acrostic poem (though imperfectly so in the Masoretic Text) that follows the Hebrew alphabet, indicating a comprehensive and well-ordered teaching. It is positioned within the first book of the Psalter, which largely focuses on individual laments and praises. This psalm transitions from David's personal testimony of deliverance in the opening verses (e.g., [Psalms 34:4-6](/psalms/34-4 "Psalms 34:4-6 - David's Deliverance")) to general wisdom instruction for those who "fear the Lord" (e.g., [Psalms 34:9](/psalms/34-9 "Psalms 34:9 - Fearing the Lord")). Verse 14, therefore, functions as a central ethical imperative within David's broader exhortation to live righteously in response to God's faithfulness and protection, building upon the promise that "the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous" ([Psalms 34:15](/psalms/34-15 "Psalms 34:15 - God's Attention to the Righteous")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription attributes Psalm 34 to David, "when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed." This refers to the incident recorded in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David Feigns Madness Before Achish"), where David, fleeing from Saul, sought refuge with Achish (referred to as Abimelech, perhaps a royal title) king of Gath. To escape capture, David feigned madness, scribbling on doors and letting saliva run down his beard. His successful escape led to this psalm of thanksgiving and instruction. Culturally, "peace" (shalom) in ancient Israel was a comprehensive concept, not merely the absence of conflict but encompassing wholeness, prosperity, health, and complete well-being. The commands to "depart from evil" and "do good" were fundamental to covenant fidelity, reflecting the ethical demands of the Mosaic Law and the wisdom tradition, which emphasized moral uprightness as the path to blessing and a flourishing life within the community.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching themes in Psalm 34 include God's **deliverance** of the righteous, the **blessings** that accompany fearing the Lord, and the importance of **wisdom** and **righteous living**. David's personal experience of divine rescue (e.g., [Psalms 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "Psalms 34:7 - The Angel of the Lord Encamps")) serves as the foundation for his instruction. The psalm repeatedly emphasizes the **fear of the Lord** (e.g., [Psalms 34:9](/psalms/34-9 "Psalms 34:9 - Fearing the Lord")) as the starting point for wisdom and the pathway to a good life, a theme echoed throughout the wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")). Verse 14 specifically contributes to the theme of righteous living by providing concrete, actionable steps for individuals to align their conduct with God's will, thereby experiencing the promises of protection and provision detailed elsewhere in the psalm (e.g., [Psalms 34:17-19](/psalms/34-17 "Psalms 34:17-19 - God Delivers the Righteous")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Depart (Hebrew, _sûr'_):** This verb means "to turn aside," "to remove oneself," or "to cease." It implies a decisive, active turning away from a path or behavior. It's not passive avoidance but a conscious, intentional disengagement and separation from evil. This word often carries a strong moral connotation in the Old Testament, signifying a rejection of unrighteousness.
* **Seek (Hebrew, _baqqēš'_):** This verb denotes an earnest, diligent search or request. It suggests a proactive and persistent effort to find or obtain something. When applied to "peace," it means to earnestly desire it, to look for opportunities to establish it, and to pursue it with focused intention.
* **Pursue (Hebrew, _rādaf'_):** This verb literally means "to chase," "to run after," or "to diligently follow." It implies relentless effort, a vigorous and sustained pursuit, even when obstacles are present. The combination of "seek" and "pursue" highlights the extraordinary commitment required to achieve true peace, emphasizing that it is not something that simply happens but must be actively and tirelessly worked toward.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Depart from evil":** This is a foundational negative command, requiring a conscious and deliberate turning away from all that is morally wrong, sinful, and harmful. It encompasses not just overt acts of wickedness but also corrupt thoughts, words, and intentions. It demands a decisive break from the path of iniquity and a rejection of its allure.
* **"and do good":** This is the positive counterpart to the preceding command. It's not enough to simply cease doing wrong; one must actively engage in righteous, beneficial, and God-honoring actions. This includes acts of kindness, justice, compassion, integrity, and any behavior that reflects God's character and blesses others. It calls for proactive benevolence.
* **"seek peace":** This command emphasizes a proactive desire for "shalom" – a comprehensive state of wholeness, well-being, harmony, and flourishing, both personally and in relationships with others. It involves earnestly desiring and looking for ways to foster reconciliation, tranquility, and mutual benefit, rather than conflict or discord.
* **"and pursue it":** This final phrase elevates the desire for peace into an active, persistent, and relentless effort. It means to chase after peace, to run after it, to make it a priority in one's life, even when it is difficult, costly, or requires significant personal sacrifice. It underscores the idea that peace is a goal to be tirelessly striven for, not merely a passive state to be hoped for.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 34:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The verse is structured as a series of **Imperative Mood** verbs ("Depart," "do," "seek," "pursue"), which function as direct commands, emphasizing the non-negotiable and active nature of the instruction. There is a clear **Parallelism** at play, specifically **Antithetical Parallelism** in the first half ("Depart from evil, and do good"), where two contrasting actions are presented as complementary aspects of righteous living. This is followed by **Synonymous Parallelism** in the second half ("seek peace, and pursue it"), where two phrases convey a similar idea with increasing intensity, highlighting the urgency and persistence required. The overall structure also demonstrates a **Chiasm** in its conceptual flow: A (negative action, "depart from evil"), B (positive action, "do good"), B' (positive intention, "seek peace"), A' (active pursuit, "pursue it"). This chiastic structure subtly reinforces the interconnectedness and comprehensive nature of the commands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse distills the essence of biblical ethics, presenting a holistic vision of righteous living that moves beyond mere abstention from sin to active engagement in virtue. It aligns with the broader biblical emphasis on both negative and positive commands – not just what to avoid, but what to embrace. The pursuit of "shalom" is a deeply theological concept, reflecting God's own character as the God of peace and His desire for the flourishing of His creation. This instruction is not merely for personal benefit but contributes to the well-being of the community and reflects God's kingdom values. It underscores the truth that true spiritual maturity involves proactive moral and relational effort, echoing the covenantal call for Israel to be a holy nation set apart for God's purposes.

* [Proverbs 16:6](/proverbs/16-6 "Proverbs 16:6 - Fearing the Lord to Depart from Evil")
* [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Living Peaceably with All")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursuing Peace and Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 34:14 provides a timeless and actionable blueprint for living a life that honors God and blesses others. It challenges believers to a dynamic faith, one that is not content with passive avoidance of sin but actively engages in the cultivation of goodness and the relentless pursuit of harmony. In a world often characterized by conflict, division, and moral ambiguity, this verse calls us to be agents of God's peace and righteousness. It reminds us that our spiritual journey involves continuous choices: to turn away from temptations and harmful patterns, and to intentionally invest in actions that build up, heal, and reconcile. This requires vigilance, courage, and a deep reliance on God's grace to empower us to live out these demanding yet life-giving commands daily.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to "depart from evil" more decisively?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to "do good" in tangible ways for those around you?**
* **How can you more earnestly "seek peace" in your relationships, particularly where there is tension or conflict?**
* **What does it mean for you to "pursue" peace, even when it feels difficult or requires personal sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the two-part command: "depart from evil, and do good"?**

Answer: This two-part command highlights the comprehensive nature of biblical righteousness. "Depart from evil" represents the negative aspect, emphasizing repentance, moral separation, and abstaining from sin. It's about ceasing to do what is wrong. However, it's insufficient on its own. "And do good" represents the positive aspect, calling for active obedience, ethical engagement, and performing righteous deeds. It's about proactively living out God's will and demonstrating His character through acts of love, justice, and compassion. Together, they form a complete picture of a life transformed by God, moving beyond mere abstinence to active benevolence, as seen in passages like [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires").

**Why is "peace" something we must "seek" and "pursue" rather than simply hope for?**

Answer: The Hebrew concept of "shalom" (peace) is far richer than just the absence of conflict; it encompasses wholeness, well-being, prosperity, and harmony in all aspects of life—spiritual, social, and physical. This comprehensive peace is not a default state, especially in a fallen world. Therefore, it requires deliberate, proactive effort. To "seek" peace implies an earnest desire and diligent search for it, while to "pursue" it suggests a relentless, active chase, overcoming obstacles and making sacrifices to achieve and maintain it. This active pursuit reflects God's own nature as the God of peace and our calling to be peacemakers in a broken world, as encouraged in [Matthew 5:9](/matthew/5-9 "Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the Peacemakers").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 34:14 finds its ultimate fulfillment and empowerment in Jesus Christ. He perfectly embodied the commands to "depart from evil" by living a sinless life, completely undefiled by the world's wickedness ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). More profoundly, He perfectly fulfilled the command to "do good," as His entire ministry was characterized by acts of compassion, healing, teaching, and self-giving love, culminating in His ultimate act of goodness on the cross ([Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - Jesus Went About Doing Good")). Furthermore, Jesus is the very embodiment of "peace" (shalom), being the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")) who broke down the dividing wall of hostility between God and humanity, and between people groups, through His atoning sacrifice ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Through His Spirit, believers are now empowered to "seek peace, and pursue it," not by their own strength, but by drawing from the wellspring of His perfect peace, becoming His ambassadors of reconciliation in a world desperately needing the "gospel of peace" ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Faith"); [Ephesians 6:15](/ephesians/6-15 "Ephesians 6:15 - The Gospel of Peace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.