> [[psalm-33|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-35|Next →]] --- # Psalm 34 ## Thanksgiving to God Who Delivers the Just 1 Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him out and he went away. ^psalm-34-1 ### I 2 I will bless the LORD at all times; ^psalm-34-2 his praise shall be always in my mouth. 3 My soul will glory in the LORD; ^psalm-34-3 let the poor hear and be glad. 4 Magnify the LORD with me; ^psalm-34-4 and let us exalt his name together. ### II 5 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, ^psalm-34-5 delivered me from all my fears. 6 Look to him and be radiant, ^psalm-34-6 and your faces may not blush for shame. 7 This poor one cried out and the LORD heard, ^psalm-34-7 and from all his distress he saved him. 8 The angel of the LORD encamps ^psalm-34-8 around those who fear him, and he saves them. 9 Taste and see that the LORD is good; ^psalm-34-9 blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him. 10 Fear the LORD, you his holy ones; ^psalm-34-10 nothing is lacking to those who fear him. 11 The rich grow poor and go hungry, ^psalm-34-11 but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. ### III 12 Come, children, listen to me; ^psalm-34-12 I will teach you fear of the LORD. 13 Who is the man who delights in life, ^psalm-34-13 who loves to see the good days? 14 Keep your tongue from evil, ^psalm-34-14 your lips from speaking lies. 15 Turn from evil and do good; ^psalm-34-15 seek peace and pursue it. 16 The eyes of the LORD are directed toward the righteous ^psalm-34-16 and his ears toward their cry. 17 The LORD’s face is against evildoers ^psalm-34-17 to wipe out their memory from the earth. 18 The righteous cry out, the LORD hears ^psalm-34-18 and he rescues them from all their afflictions. 19 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, ^psalm-34-19 saves those whose spirit is crushed. 20 Many are the troubles of the righteous, ^psalm-34-20 but the LORD delivers him from them all. 21 He watches over all his bones; ^psalm-34-21 not one of them shall be broken. 22 Evil will slay the wicked; ^psalm-34-22 those who hate the righteous are condemned. 23 The LORD is the redeemer of the souls of his servants; ^psalm-34-23 and none are condemned who take refuge in him. \* (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]). \* (34:1) Abimelech: a scribal error for Achish. In [1 Sm 21:13] – [16], David feigned madness before Achish, not Abimelech. \* (34:12) Children: the customary term for students in wisdom literature. a. (34:2) [Ps 145:2]. b. (34:8) ([[exodus-14|Ex 14]]:19]. c. (34:9) ([[psalm-02|Ps 2]]:11]. d. (34:10) [Prv 3:7]. e. (34:12) [Prv 1:8]; [4:1]. f. (34:13] – [17) [1 Pt 3:10] – [12]. g. (34:15) [Ps 37:27]. h. (34:16) [Ps 33:18]. i. (34:21) [Jn 19:36]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[psalm-33|← Previous]] | [[psalm-00|TOC]] | [[psalm-35|Next →]]