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Psalm 34

Blessed Is the Person Who Takes Refuge in God

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By David. When he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelek, who drove him away, and David left.[a]

David’s Thanks for Deliverance

I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise will always be in my mouth.
In the Lord my soul will boast.
The humble will hear and rejoice.

An Invitation to Join David in Praise

Proclaim the greatness of the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.

The Story of David’s Deliverance

I sought the Lord, and he answered me.
From all my terrors he delivered me.
His people look to him and are radiant,
and their faces will never blush.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard.
From all his distress the Lord saved him.
The Angel of the Lord[b] camps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

The Application of This Truth to All Believers

Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
since those who fear him lack nothing.
10 Young lions may lack food and be hungry,
but those who seek the Lord do not lack any good thing.

11 Come, children, listen to me.
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

12 Who wants to find pleasure in life?
Who would love to experience many good days?
13 Guard your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn from evil and do good.
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over the righteous.
His ears listen to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is set against those who do evil,
    to cut off memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears.
From all their distress he delivers them.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.
19 Many are the troubles of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him from them all.
20 He watches over all his bones;
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked.
Those who hate the righteous will be found guilty.
22 The Lord redeems the soul[c] of his servants.
Anyone who takes refuge in him will not be found guilty.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:1 See 1 Samuel 21.
  2. Psalm 34:7 This seems to allude to the Angel of the Lord, who led Israel through the wilderness.
  3. Psalm 34:22 Or life