1 {[A Psalm] of David; when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.} I will bless Jehovah at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in Jehovah: the meek shall hear, and rejoice.
3 Magnify Jehovah with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought Jehovah, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were enlightened, and their faces were not confounded.
6 This afflicted one called, and Jehovah heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 Taste and see that Jehovah is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him!
9 Fear Jehovah, ye his saints; for there is no want to them that fear him.
10 The young lions are in need and suffer hunger; but they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good.
11 Come, ye sons, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah.
12 What man is he that desireth life, [and] loveth days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile;
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
15 The eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous, and his ears are toward their cry;
16 The face of Jehovah is against them that do evil, to cutoff the remembrance of them from the earth:
17 [The righteous] cry, and Jehovah heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 Jehovah is nigh to those that are of a broken heart, and saveth them that are of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the adversities of the righteous, but Jehovah delivereth him out of them all:
20 He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall destroy the wicked; and they that hate the righteous shall bear their guilt.
22 Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants; and none of them that trust in him shall bear guilt.
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.