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Psalm 34

Praise for Deliverance from Trouble

Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

I will bless the L ord at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the L ord;

let the humble hear and be glad.

O magnify the L ord with me,

and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the L ord, and he answered me,

and delivered me from all my fears.

Look to him, and be radiant;

so your faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor soul cried, and was heard by the L ord,

and was saved from every trouble.

The angel of the L ord encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.

O taste and see that the L ord is good;

happy are those who take refuge in him.

O fear the L ord, you his holy ones,

for those who fear him have no want.

The young lions suffer want and hunger,

but those who seek the L ord lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the L ord.

Which of you desires life,

and covets many days to enjoy 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 L ord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their cry.

The face of the L ord is against evildoers,

to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

When the righteous cry for help, the L ord hears,

and rescues them from all their troubles.

The L ord is near to the brokenhearted,

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the L ord rescues them from them all.

He keeps all their bones;

not one of them will be broken.

Evil brings death to the wicked,

and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

The L ord redeems the life of his servants;

none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Psalmist illustrates this doctrine by a very apposite comparison, namely, that God provides every thing necessary for his people, and relieves their wants, whilst the lions, which surpass in ferocity all the wild beasts of the earth, prowl about in a famishing condition for their prey. Some think, that under the name of lions, those men who are addicted to violence and plunder are metaphorically described; but this, in my opinion, is too refined. David simply asserts, that those who guard against all unrighteousness should profit more by so doing than by rapine and plunder; because the Lord feeds his people, while even the lions and other beasts of prey often suffer hunger. What he says, then, is, that sooner shall the lions perish with hunger and want, than God will disappoint of their necessary food the righteous and sincere, who, content with his blessing alone, seek their food only from his hand. Whoever, therefore, shall in this way cast his cares upon God, and confide implicitly in his paternal goodness and bounty, shall live quietly and peaceably among men, and suffer no injury. If it is objected, that the good and the virtuous are not always exempted from penury, I answer, that the hand of God is stretched out to succor them in due season, when they are reduced to the greatest straits, and know not to what side to turn, ⁶⁹⁵⁶⁹⁵ “Et ne s’avent plus de quel cost a se tourner.” — Fr. so that the issue always shows that we seek not in vain from him whatever is necessary to the sustenance of life.

⁶⁹⁵ “Et ne s’avent plus de quel cost a se tourner.” — Fr.