Psalm 34

Sherry and I love to read five psalms each night before going to bed. If you read five per day, you get through all 150 psalms in thirty days. Then you can start over again the next month. Psalm 34 is one that we read today. As we saw its depth and beauty, we wanted to share it with others.

This is one of many acrostic psalms written by David. That means that each verse starts with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet in alphabetical order. Since there are twenty-two Hebrew letters, there are twenty-two verses in this psalm.

That was one way of making it easier to memorize God’s Word in ancient times. It would be as if I wrote the following: Another day, Blessed is God, Caring for us always, Delighting in our welfare and good, Enlightening our eyes, Filling us with joy (and continued through to the letter “z”).

Looking at the original languages of the Bible can add depth and understanding. The meaning of Hebrew words is included in brackets with the verses listed below. I also make a few comments to help bring a clearer understanding to these scriptures in light of what we have today in Christ.

Psalm 34: A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.

The title “Abimelech” means “father of kings” and is used of many rulers in ancient Palestine. This “Abimelech” was named Achish, and he was king of the Philistine area called Gath. David was on the run from King Saul, who was trying to kill him. David at first came to Gath hoping for asylum from Saul. But David’s reputation for killing Philistines preceded him, and his life was in danger in Gath. God showed David how to escape from Achish, in a very unusual way.

I Samuel 21:10-15; 22:1:
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam.

David’s deliverance from Achish, and later Saul, are the foundation for Psalm 34. This psalm shows that God’s deliverance and protection are always there—perhaps not always as we imagine it will be. But our God is faithful!

Psalm 34, like the Book of Job, shows the absolute goodness of God and the absolute badness of the Devil. Even though people may be the agents of evil, it is Satan and his host of evil spirits who are behind attacks in this life. David knew that the Lord was greater than our adversary!

Verse 1: I will bless [kneel] the Lord at all [whole] times: his praise shall continually [stretched] be in my mouth. 

We may not always physically be on our knees before God, but we keep that kind of heart and humility throughout our days. I love to “stretch” out my mouth with praise to my loving heavenly Father. One way I do this is by speaking in tongues, which is to “pray with the spirit” (I Corinthians 14:14,15). I thank God for His wonderful Son, Jesus Christ, and all that I have in Christ.

Verse 2: My soul shall make her boast [clear shining] in the Lord: the humble [those who get down] shall hear [obey] thereof, and be glad [brighten up].

My “soul” is all the life I have, which includes my thoughts. I love to keep my mind “clearly shining” with the Word of God I’ve learned and retained. Then when I need the Father’s help, I “get down” and humble myself to obey His guidance. That always brightens me up, because the Lord Almighty is able and willing to help me!

Verse 3: O magnify [twist upward and increase] the Lord with me, and let us exalt [raise up] his name [honor] together [as one].

I love to grow vegetables, and Sherry has an amazing rose garden. Plants slowly and beautifully “twist up” toward the sun as they grow. We show forth the Lord’s goodness in all we do, and then we raise up His name, and honor Him together as we live the “mystery” of the one body of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-7).

Verse 4: I sought [followed] the Lord, and he heard [paid attention with His eye to] me, and delivered [snatched away] me from all [every part of] my fears.

Jesus Christ said that the Father keeps His eyes on every little sparrow, and that we are more valuable than sparrows (Luke 12:6,7). The Lord pays attention and focuses His “eyes” on those who follow Him. This is one of many times that David describes God by using human terms. Jesus also said that God is Spirit (John 4:24). God is not a man (Numbers 23:19). Yet, our Father loves us and uses human terms we can understand to see His diligent care for us.

Verse 5: They looked [regarded with pleasure] unto him, and were lightened [made to sparkle]: and their faces were not ashamed [disappointed].

I remember standing in our family driveway as a preschooler and admiring the sparkling rocks. I grew up near Crystal City, Missouri, which is famous for its sparkling silicates. These rocks beautifully reflect the light of the sun. It’s the same with us as we regard with pleasure our Father’s goodness. We sparkle with delight, and we are never disappointed, for God is faithful (I Corinthians 1:9).

Verse 6: This poor [humbled] man cried [called by name], and the Lord heard [obeyed] him, and saved [set free] him out of all [every part of] his troubles [tight places].

Have you ever been in some “tight scrapes”? Our adversary, the Devil, tries to box us in and cram us into his worldly and deceitful places—not only physically, but in our minds and hearts. When we humble ourselves and call upon the name of the Lord, He obeys His promises and sets us free from every part of the Devil’s traps and schemes.

Verse 7: The angel [messenger] of the Lord encampeth [pitches tents] round about [and encircles] them that fear [respect] him, and delivereth [strips away evil from] them.

Have you ever met an angel? I can think of a few times when Sherry and I were first married, that angels may have helped us. Once we lost hundreds of dollars in cash in an open envelope that was addressed but not stamped yet. We found out days later that it had been sealed, stamped, and mailed to our friends (who encouraged us NOT to send cash in the mail).

Even if human “messengers” were involved in such situations, God sent them to help us, and we are very grateful for His  loving kindness.

But angels under Michael and Gabriel do help us today when needed. We see in the Book of Acts where these spiritual messengers stepped in to help (Acts 5:17-20; 12:6-11). Jesus Christ said he could have had “twelve legions of angels” (72,000) if he needed them (Matthew 26:53). We know that a third of the original angels fell with Lucifer when he rebelled (Revelation 12:7-9). Although these evil spirits attack, the “good” angels still have a two-thirds advantage!

The Lord’s angels “pitch their tents” and encircle those who respect Him. And He strips away all evil that the adversary tries to inflict upon us. That is a mighty and powerful God!

Verse 8: O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed [happy] is the [mighty] man that trusteth in [runs for help to] him.

Our son, Elijah, was in a church skit with me and quoted this verse. We were pretending to bake a delicious cake and looked forward to how good it would taste. We are happy when we run to God for help. We are not “mighty” in our own abilities, but in His power within us (Jeremiah 9:23,24; I Corinthians 1:24-31; II Corinthians 12:9,10).

Verse 9: O fear [respect] the Lord, ye his saints [holy ones]: for there is no want [deficiency] to them that fear him. 

God supplies all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). He makes all of His grace abound toward us so that we have all sufficiency in all things (II Corinthians 9:8). And He knows beforehand the good works that we will do as we walk in fellowship with Him (Ephesians 2:10).

Verse 10: The young lions [covered ones] do lack [are destitute], and suffer hunger [are famished]: but they that seek [follow] the Lord shall not want [lack] any good thing.

Have you ever met a “self-made man”? So often these people die in poverty—at least mentally and emotionally. They find that for all the wealth they have accumulated, they are “empty” on the inside. Those who “cover themselves” like a young lion that prides himself in his mane, will be destitute of what really matters in life. They will be famished from the joy and inner peace that comes with following and trusting God. For His supply will never lack.

Verse 11: Come [walk forth], ye children, hearken unto [obey] me: I will teach [goad in the proper direction] you the fear [respect] of the Lord.

Learning to listen to God’s “still small voice” (I Kings 19:12), is to walk in the spirit (Romans 8:1; Galatians 5:25). This is how God works in us “to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). When we respect the Lord, He gently and tenderly “nudges” us in the right direction.

Verse 12: What man [person] is he that desireth [delights in] life, and loveth [has affection for] many days, that he may see good?

This verse asks a good question. Are you a person who delights in life? Do have a deep affection and want to live many days? I know that I do. Then here is what we must do.

Verse 13: Keep thy [guard your] tongue from evil [taking part in adversity and mischief], and thy lips from speaking guile [taking part in deception].

One of the first things to do that ensures a long and blessed life is to control our tongues. That is where the power of life and death resides (Proverbs 18:21). Without God’s help, no man can tame his tongue. (James 3:2-12). But when we are born again and put on the new man, the mind of Christ, we can speak words that build up and bless others with God’s grace (Ephesians 4:25,29).

Verse 14: Depart [turn away] from evil [taking part in adversity and mischief], and do [make] good; seek peace [search out God’s safety], and pursue [run after] it.

How does a person “turn away” from taking part in adversity and mischief? One key to success is to focus “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1,2). We can change our thinking and “renew” the mind (Romans 12:1,2) to “put off” the old man and “put on the new” (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9,10). That is what James 1:21 means when it says to “lay apart” evil and receive with meekness God’s Word, which can save our souls.

Have you ever run after anything that you really wanted? More than a dozen times in my life I have run more than 26 miles to gain the achievement of being a marathon runner. My goal for many of these was to enjoy peaceful fellowship with my Father the entire run, and also to bless anyone that I would meet along the way. God’s peace is worth running for (Romans 14:19; II Timothy 2:22).

Verse 15: The eyes of the Lord are upon [toward] the righteous [just], and his ears are open unto [toward] their cry.

Are you righteous? If you confess Jesus as lord and believe that God raised him from the dead, you have the righteousness of God through Christ! Romans 10:9,10 says we believe “unto righteousness.” God made us righteous in Christ (I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:21). Our Father hears our every cry. His “ears” are open unto us.

Verse 16: The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off [destroy] the remembrance of them from [any part of] the earth. 

Those who are tricked into doing the adversary’s will, have no future rewards. Even the memory of them will be unpleasant, but the just are well remembered (Proverbs 10:7).

Verse 17: The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth [obeys], and delivereth [snatches away] them out of all [every part of] their troubles [tight places].

As in verse 6, God promises to rescue us from the narrow traps that abound in “the course of this world” that the Devil offers to people (Ephesians 2:2). In Christ we are made alive, raised up, and made to sit in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5,6). We are rescued and brought into the greatness of God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13).

Verse 18: The Lord is nigh [near] unto them that are of a broken [burst] heart; and saveth [sets free] such as be of a contrite spirit [crushed attitude].

For me, God answered my prayer at a very low point in my life. That is when I was born again and made whole in Christ. I had a “burst” heart and was ready to end my life. At that point, I no longer tried to do it all myself, and crushed my attitude of pride and self-sufficiency. Still today, when I keep my heart humble and contrite, my Father blesses me with His wisdom and power.

Verse 19: Many are the afflictions [adversity] of the righteous [just]: but the Lord delivereth [snatches away] him out of them all [every part of them].

We all may not have the same “trouble list” that the Apostle Paul had (II Corinthians 11:23-33), but God promises to snatch us away from every part of the Devil’s plan to ruin our lives. Our enemy only comes to kill, steal, and destroy; Jesus Christ came to give us life more abundantly (John 10:10).

Verse 20: He keepeth [guards] all his bones: not one of them is broken [crushed].

This is a tremendous prophecy about what Jesus would go through as the Messiah. As our Passover lamb (I Corinthians 5:7), Jesus had not one bone broken when crucified (Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; John 19:36). He fulfilled all the law, as a lamb without spot (John 1:29,36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19).

Verse 21: Evil shall slay the wicked [guilty]: and they that hate the righteous [just] shall be desolate [punished].

At times, evildoers seem to “have it made” in life. They breeze along with no troubles. But Psalms 37:1 and 2 give a true perspective. They will soon be cut down and wither like grass that is mowed. The next three verses promise that those who trust in, delight in, and commit their way to the Lord, will be blessed. That is the best way to live.

Verse 22: The Lord redeemeth [ransoms, buys back] the soul of his servants [the lives of His bondslaves]: and none of them that trust [run for help to] in him shall be desolate [punished].

This beautiful psalm ends by showing that God is our Redeemer (Psalms 19:14). He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to buy us back from the god of this world, the Devil (II Corinthians 4:4). Now Jesus Christ is our redeemer. We belong to him (Galatians 3:13; Titus 2:14; I Peter 1:18,19).

Beloved now are we the sons of God (I John 3:2). And we are servants, bondslaves, for Christ (Romans 1:1; I Corinthians 7:22). As we run to our Father for help, we will be blessed and cared for.

What an amazingly beautiful psalm showing God’s goodness to us! Like David, let us declare, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth!”