1 <Of David. When he made a change in his behaviour before Abimelech, who sent him away, and he went.> I will be blessing the Lord at all times; his praise will be ever in my mouth.
2 My soul will say great things of the Lord: the poor in spirit will have knowledge of it and be glad.
3 O give praise to the Lord with me; let us be witnesses together of his great name.
4 I was searching for the Lord, and he gave ear to my voice, and made me free from all my fears.
5 Let your eyes be turned to him and you will have light, and your faces will not be shamed.
6 This poor man's cry came before the Lord, and he gave him salvation from all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord is ever watching over those who have fear of him, to keep them safe.
8 By experience you will see that the Lord is good; happy is the man who has faith in him.
9 Keep yourselves in the fear of the Lord, all you his saints; for those who do so will have no need of anything.
10 The young lions are in need and have no food; but those who are looking to the Lord will have every good thing.
11 Come, children, give attention to me; I will be your teacher in the fear of the Lord.
12 What man has a love of life, and a desire that his days may be increased so that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from words of deceit.
14 Be turned from evil, and do good; make a search for peace, desiring it with all your heart.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to take away the memory of them from the earth.
17 The cry of the upright comes before the Lord, and he takes them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near the broken-hearted; he is the saviour of those whose spirits are crushed down.
19 Great are the troubles of the upright: but the Lord takes him safely out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones: not one of them is broken.
21 Evil will put an end to the sinner, and those who are haters of righteousness will come to destruction.
22 The Lord will be the saviour of the souls of his servants, and no one who has faith in him will be put to shame.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 34
Commentary on Psalms 34 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 34
Ps 34:1-22. On the title compare 1Sa 21:13. Abimelech was the general name of the sovereign (Ge 20:2). After celebrating God's gracious dealings with him, the Psalmist exhorts others to make trial of His providential care, instructing them how to secure it. He then contrasts God's care of His people and His punitive providence towards the wicked.
1-4. Even in distress, which excites supplication, there is always matter for praising and thanking God (compare Eph 5:20; Php 4:6).
2. make her boast—"glory" (Ps 105:3; compare Ga 6:14).
humble—"the pious," as in Ps 9:12; 25:9.
3. magnify the Lord—ascribe greatness to Him, an act of praise.
together—"alike" (Ps 33:15), or, equally, without exception.
4. delivered … fears—as well as actual evil (Ps 64:1).
5-7. God's favor to the pious generally, and to himself specially, is celebrated.
looked—with desire for help.
lightened—or, "brightened," expressing joy, opposed to the downcast features of those who are ashamed or disappointed (Ps 25:2, 3).
6. This poor man—literally, "humble," himself as a specimen of such.
7. angel—of the covenant (Isa 63:9), of whom as a leader of God's host (Jos 5:14; 1Ki 22:19), the phrase—
encampeth, &c.—is appropriate; or, "angel" used collectively for angels (Heb 1:14).
8. taste and see—try and experience.
9. that fear him—who are pious—fear and love (Pr 1:7; 9:10).
saints—consecrated to His service (Isa 40:31).
10. not want any good—"good" is emphatic; they may be afflicted (compare Ps 34:10); but this may be a good (2Co 4:17, 18; Heb 12:10, 11).
11. children—subjects of instruction (Pr 1:8, 10).
12. What man—Whoever desires the blessings of piety, let him attend.
13, 14. Sins of thought included in those of speech (Lu 6:45), avoiding evil and doing good in our relations to men are based on a right relation to God.
15. eyes of the Lord are upon—(Ps 32:8; 33:18).
16. face … against—opposed to them (Le 17:10; 20:3).
cut off the remembrance—utterly destroy (Ps 109:13).
17, 18. Humble penitents are objects of God's special tender regard (Ps 51:19; Isa 57:15).
20. bones—framework of the body.
21, 22. Contrast in the destiny of righteous and wicked; the former shall be delivered and never come into condemnation (Joh 5:24; Ro 8:1); the latter are left under condemnation and desolate.