21 Evil will put an end to the sinner, and those who are haters of righteousness will come to destruction.
Who put to death the Lord Jesus and the prophets, violently driving us out; who are unpleasing to God and against all men; Who, to make the measure of their sins complete, kept us from giving the word of salvation to the Gentiles: but the wrath of God is about to come on them in the fullest degree.
If you are hated by the world, keep in mind that I was hated by the world before you. If you were of the world, you would be loved by the world: but because you are not of the world, but I have taken you out of the world, you are hated by the world. Keep in mind the words I said to you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they were cruel to me, they will be cruel to you; if they kept my words, they will keep yours. They will do all this to you because of my name--because they have no knowledge of him who sent me. If I had not come and been their teacher they would have had no sin: but now they have no reason to give for their sin. He who has hate for me has hate for my Father.
And when he got near and saw the town, he was overcome with weeping for it, Saying, If you, even you, had knowledge today, of the things which give peace! but you are not able to see them. For the time will come when your attackers will put a wall round you, and come all round you and keep you in on every side, And will make you level with the earth, and your children with you; and there will not be one stone resting on another in you, because you did not see that it was your day of mercy.
The mouth of the good man says words of wisdom; the talk of his tongue is of righteousness. The law of his God is in his heart; he will never make a false step. The sinners are watching the upright man, desiring to put him to death. The Lord will not give him into their hands, or be against him when he is judged. Be waiting for the Lord, and keep his way; and you will be lifted up, and have the land for your heritage: when the evil-doers are cut off, you will see it. I have seen the evil-doer in great power, covering the earth like a great tree. But he came to an end, and there was no sign of him; I made a search for him and he was not there. Give attention to the good man, and take note of the upright; because the end of that man is peace. But as for the sinners, they will be cut off together; the end of the wrongdoers is destruction. But the Lord is the saviour of the upright: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord will be their help, and keep them safe: he will take them out of the hands of the evil-doers, and be their saviour, because they had faith in him.
The sinner has evil designs against the upright, lifting up the voice of wrath against him. He will be laughed at by the Lord, who sees that his day is coming. The evil-doers have taken out their swords, their bows are bent; for crushing the poor, and to put to death those who are upright in their ways. But their swords will be turned into their hearts, and their bows will be broken.
And Jonathan gave his father Saul a good account of David, and said to him, Let not the king do wrong against his servant, against David; because he has done you no wrong, and all his acts have had a good outcome for you: For he put his life in danger and overcame the Philistine, and the Lord gave all Israel salvation: you saw it and were glad: why then are you sinning against him who has done no wrong, desiring the death of David without cause?
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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.