시편 Chapter 34

Translation: ESV

1

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Key Message

Blessing God in every situation is the basic posture of the believer's life.

▸A thanksgiving psalm David composed after feigning madness before Abimelech (Achish) and escaping.

A thanksgiving psalm David composed after feigning madness before Abimelech (Achish) and escaping. 'At all times (bekhol et)' declares praise without time limitation — in every situation. The resolve to bless the LORD even in pain and fear shows the maturity of faith.

Related Verses

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
2

My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

Key Message

A personal testimony of faith delivers hope and joy to those in difficulty.

▸Personal praise leads to communal joy.

3

Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

Key Message

Worship is not offered alone but together, and communal praise brings greater power and joy.

▸An invitation from personal praise to communal praise.

4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Key Message

God hears the prayer of those who cry out and delivers them from all their fears.

▸David's personal testimony.

5

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Key Message

Those who look to God receive radiance instead of shame, and their expectation is surely fulfilled.

▸'Look to him (nabat)' means to pay attention, to gaze — keeping one's gaze fixed on God.

6

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

Key Message

God especially inclines his ear to the cry of the weak and lowly and saves completely.

▸David calls himself 'this poor man ('ani),' lowering himself.

7

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Key Message

Those who fear God are protected by God's army of angels — invisible but real.

▸A powerful promise that the angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear God.

8

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Key Message

God's goodness can be fully known only when experienced directly through faith.

▸The most famous verse in Psalm 34.

9

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

Key Message

A life of fearing the LORD leads to a full life with no lack.

▸'His saints (qedoshaiv)' — those set apart, those who belong to God — are urged to fear.

10

The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Key Message

The world's strength can fall into lack, but those who seek the LORD receive all their needs supplied.

▸Even young lions — the most powerful hunters in the natural world — can go hungry.

11

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Key Message

The fear of God is something that can be taught and learned, and it must be passed on to the next generation.

▸From verse 11 the psalm transitions to the form of wisdom instruction.

12

What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?

Key Message

The universal human desire for a blessed life is directed to the path of fearing God.

▸The teaching begins with a rhetorical question.

13

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Key Message

A blessed life begins with restraint of speech — the tongue must be guarded from evil speech and falsehood.

▸The first practice of a blessed life: restraint of speech.

14

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Key Message

A blessed life is one of turning from evil, doing good, and actively pursuing peace.

▸Three behavioral principles: turn away from evil, do good, and pursue peace.

15

The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

Key Message

God has deep concern for the righteous and hears all their cries.

▸A declaration that God directs his eyes and ears toward the righteous.

17

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

Key Message

The cry of the righteous surely reaches God, and God delivers from all troubles.

▸A declaration similar to verse 6 is repeated.

18

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Key Message

God draws especially near not to the strong but to those whose heart is broken and who have humbly come low.

▸One of the key verses of Psalm 34.

19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Key Message

The righteous also face many afflictions, but God surely delivers out of all of them.

▸An important theological truth: the righteous also suffer.

22

The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Key Message

God himself redeems his servants, and those who take refuge in him are spared condemnation.

▸The conclusion of Psalm 34.