Psalms 34

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 34

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.

2My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad.

3O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

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

5They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

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

7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

8O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him.

9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.

10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].

11¶ Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?

13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

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

15The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

16The 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.

18The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

21Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.

22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

The psalm begins with David's vow to continually praise the Lord, inviting the humble to rejoice in his boast of divine deliverance. He testifies that the Lord heard his cry, saving him from all fears and troubles, and that the angel of the Lord protects those who fear Him. David then exhorts all to "taste and see" the Lord's goodness, promising that those who seek Him shall want no good thing, unlike the struggling "young lions." He instructs on righteous living, emphasizing the importance of a pure tongue, departing from evil, and pursuing peace. The Lord's eyes are upon the righteous, hearing their cries, while His face is set against the wicked. He is nigh unto the brokenhearted and saves the contrite. Though the righteous face many afflictions, the Lord delivers them and redeems His servants, ensuring that none who trust in Him will be desolate.

Long Summary

In this psalm, attributed to David during his feigned madness before Abimelech, the author expresses his unwavering commitment to bless the Lord at all times, inviting others to join him in exalting God's name. He recounts his personal experience of seeking the Lord, who heard him and delivered him from all his fears and troubles, highlighting how those who look to Him are enlightened and unashamed. The psalm emphasizes divine protection, stating that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, ensuring their deliverance. David then extends an invitation to "taste and see that the LORD is good," promising that those who trust and fear Him will experience no want, a stark contrast to the "young lions" who may suffer hunger. He transitions to a didactic section, urging "children" to learn the fear of the Lord, which entails keeping the tongue from evil, speaking no guile, departing from evil, doing good, and actively seeking and pursuing peace. The psalm further delineates the Lord's disposition towards humanity: His eyes and ears are attentive to the righteous, hearing their cries and delivering them from troubles. Conversely, the Lord's face is against the wicked, intent on erasing their remembrance from the earth. A tender assurance is given that the Lord is nigh unto the brokenhearted and saves those of a contrite spirit. Despite the "many afflictions of the righteous," the Lord delivers them from all, even preserving their physical being. The psalm concludes by affirming that evil will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be desolate, while the Lord redeems the soul of His servants, ensuring that none who trust in Him shall be desolate.

Core Concepts

  • Continual PraiseDavid resolves to bless the Lord at all times, ensuring His praise is continually in his mouth, and encourages others to join in magnifying God's name.
  • Divine DeliveranceThe Lord actively hears the cries of the afflicted, delivering them from fears and troubles, and His angel encamps around those who fear Him for their protection.
  • Fear of the LordThis concept is presented as a reverent awe and trust in God, leading to a life free from want for good things and guiding righteous conduct among His saints.
  • Righteous LivingThe psalm instructs on moral behavior, emphasizing the importance of controlling the tongue, departing from evil, doing good, and diligently seeking and pursuing peace.
  • God's Justice and CareThe Lord's eyes and ears are attentive to the righteous, providing deliverance, while His face is set against the wicked, promising their ultimate destruction and removal from remembrance.
  • Redemption and PreservationDespite numerous afflictions, the Lord redeems the soul of His servants, delivers them from all troubles, and preserves those who trust in Him from desolation.