Psalms
Summary
Psalm 34 is an acrostic psalm of David, traditionally written after he escaped from Abimelech by feigning madness. It is a joyful invitation to "magnify the LORD with me" and to "taste and see that the LORD is good." The psalmist testifies that he sought the LORD and was delivered from all his fears. The psalm contains famous promises: that the "angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him," and that God is "close to the brokenhearted." It ends with the assurance that while "many are the afflictions of the righteous," the LORD redeems the souls of His servants.
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to him and were radiant; their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps round about those who fear him and delivers them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in him.
O fear the LORD, you his saints; for there is no want to those who fear him.
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
Come, you children, hearken to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is he who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be desolate.
The LORD redeems the soul of his servants, and none of those who trust in him shall be desolate.