Psalm 34 — Praise for God's Deliverance
David expresses gratitude for God's deliverance and provides instruction on the benefits of fearing the Lord and living righteously.
1*Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav).I will bless the LORD at all times.
2My soul shall boast in the LORD.
3Oh magnify the LORD with me.
4I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
5They looked to him, and were radiant.
6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him,
7The LORD’s angel encamps around those who fear him,
8Oh taste and see that the LORD is good.
9Oh fear the LORD, you his saints,
10The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger,
11Come, you children, listen to me.
12Who is someone who desires life,
13Keep your tongue from evil,
14Depart from evil, and do good.
15The LORD’s eyes are toward the righteous.
16The LORD’s face is against those who do evil,
17The righteous cry, and the LORD hears,
18The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
20He protects all of his bones.
21Evil shall kill the wicked.
22The LORD redeems the soul of his servants.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Psalm 34:8
“Oh taste and see that the LORD is good.”
This verse invites the reader to personally experience and trust in the goodness of God.
Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,”
It provides comfort by affirming God's presence and support during times of deep emotional distress.
Chapter Summary
Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem that begins with a personal testimony of praise for God's deliverance. The psalmist invites others to join in magnifying the Lord, recounting how God answered his prayers and saved him from his fears. The text shifts to a didactic or instructional tone, addressing children and teaching them the fear of the Lord. It emphasizes ethical living, such as keeping one's tongue from evil, departing from wickedness, and pursuing peace. The second half of the psalm contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked. It highlights God's attentiveness to the cries of the righteous, promising that He is near to the brokenhearted and protects those who serve Him. While the righteous may face many afflictions, the psalm concludes with the assurance that the Lord redeems His servants and provides a refuge where they will not be condemned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, meaning each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This literary device was common in ancient Hebrew poetry to aid in memorization and express a complete range of thought.
The psalmist instructs readers to keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking lies. It also encourages people to depart from evil, do good, and actively seek peace in their daily lives.
The text states that the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. It emphasizes that while the righteous face many trials, God delivers them and stays near to those with a broken heart.
Study Note
Psalm 34 is an alphabetic acrostic where each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, though it famously omits the letter 'Waw'.
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