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Psalm 34
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Psalm 34[a]

Thanksgiving to God Who Delivers the Just

1 Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech,[b] who drove him out and he went away.

I

2 I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall be always in my mouth.(A)
3 My soul will glory in the Lord;
    let the poor hear and be glad.
4 Magnify the Lord with me;
    and let us exalt his name together.

II

5 I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
    delivered me from all my fears.
6 Look to him and be radiant,
    and your faces may not blush for shame.
7 This poor one cried out and the Lord heard,
    and from all his distress he saved him.
8 The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and he saves them.(B)
9 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him.(C)
10 Fear the Lord, you his holy ones;
    nothing is lacking to those who fear him.(D)
11 The rich grow poor and go hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

III

12 Come, children,[c] listen to me;(E)
    I will teach you fear of the Lord.
13 Who is the man who delights in life,(F)
    who loves to see the good days?
14 Keep your tongue from evil,
    your lips from speaking lies.
15 Turn from evil and do good;(G)
    seek peace and pursue it.
16 The eyes of the Lord are directed toward the righteous(H)
    and his ears toward their cry.
17 The Lord’s face is against evildoers
    to wipe out their memory from the earth.
18 The righteous cry out, the Lord hears
    and he rescues them from all their afflictions.
19 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,
    saves those whose spirit is crushed.
20 Many are the troubles of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all.
21 He watches over all his bones;
    not one of them shall be broken.(I)
22 Evil will slay the wicked;
    those who hate the righteous are condemned.
23 The Lord is the redeemer of the souls of his servants;
    and none are condemned who take refuge in him.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34 A thanksgiving in acrostic form, each line beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In this Psalm one letter is missing and two are in reverse order. The psalmist, fresh from the experience of being rescued (Ps 34:5, 7), can teach the “poor,” those who are defenseless, to trust in God alone (Ps 34:4, 12). God will make them powerful (Ps 34:5–11) and give them protection (Ps 34:12–22).
  2. 34:1 Abimelech: a scribal error for Achish. In 1 Sm 21:13–16, David feigned madness before Achish, not Abimelech.
  3. 34:12 Children: the customary term for students in wisdom literature.
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Psalm 34
New International Version

Psalm 34[a][b]

Of David. When he pretended to be insane(A) before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.

1 I will extol the Lord at all times;(B)
    his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory(C) in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.(D)
3 Glorify the Lord(E) with me;
    let us exalt(F) his name together.

4 I sought the Lord,(G) and he answered me;
    he delivered(H) me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;(I)
    their faces are never covered with shame.(J)
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.(K)
7 The angel of the Lord(L) encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers(M) them.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;(N)
    blessed is the one who takes refuge(O) in him.
9 Fear the Lord,(P) you his holy people,
    for those who fear him lack nothing.(Q)
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.(R)
11 Come, my children, listen(S) to me;
    I will teach you(T) the fear of the Lord.(U)
12 Whoever of you loves life(V)
    and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue(W) from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.(X)
14 Turn from evil and do good;(Y)
    seek peace(Z) and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord(AA) are on the righteous,(AB)
    and his ears are attentive(AC) to their cry;
16 but the face of the Lord is against(AD) those who do evil,(AE)
    to blot out their name(AF) from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears(AG) them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close(AH) to the brokenhearted(AI)
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,(AJ)
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;(AK)
20 he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.(AL)

21 Evil will slay the wicked;(AM)
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue(AN) his servants;
    no one who takes refuge(AO) in him will be condemned.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 34:1 In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23.
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New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

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