(Ps 34) The Praise, Happiness, and Protection of God Seekers.

A Commentary on the Psalms 1–89, Volumes 1 & 2: Text Psalm 34

1  I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

ב

2  In the LORD my soul will make its praise;

let the humble hear and be glad.

ג

3  O magnify the LORD with me,

and let us exalt his name together.

ד

4  I sought the LORD, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my terrors.

ה

5  Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

ז

6  This afflicted man cried, and the LORD heard him

and saved him out of all his troubles.

ח

7  The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him

and delivers them.

ט

8  Taste and see that the LORD is good!

Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him!

י

9  Fear the LORD, you his saints,

for those who fear him have no lack.

כ

10  The young lions suffer want and hunger;

but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

ל

11  Come, O children, listen to me;

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

מ

12  What man is there who desires life

and loves many days, that he may see good?

נ

13  Keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from speaking deceit.

ס

14  Turn away from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

ע

15  The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous

and his ears toward their cry.

פ

16  The face of the LORD is against those who do evil

to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

צ

17  When the righteous cry for help the LORD hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

ק

18  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

ר

19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

שׁ

20  He keeps all his bones;

not one of them is broken.

ת

21  Affliction will slay the wicked,

and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22  The LORD redeems the life of his servants;

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

1. What is the structure of this Psalm? How does this effect how we understand the Psalm? (Hint: Look in a good commentary or study bible)

Alphabet Psalm

Note: The Historical Background of the Psalm: David escapes King Achish (Ablimelech) - . Remember this as we study .

1 Samuel 21:10–15 ESV

10 And David rose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11 And the servants of Achish said to him, “Is not this David the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another of him in dances, ‘Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands’?” 12 And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 13 So he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. 14 Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? 15 Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?”

2. What stands out in verses 1-5? How does the historical context shape the meaning?

David commits to continuous praise. (v. 1, v.2)

God is the biggest thing in our life (v. 3) [magnify the Lord]

God answers the prayers and fears of those who seek God. (v. 4)

Those who seek God find happiness, deliverance. (v. 5)

3. How can we apply this text? (coming days, specific times)

Our evangelism is part of our praise (by calling others to praise)

Regular and routine, public and private, praise should be a major part of our faith.

The best thing we can do when we are in trouble, struggling - is to seek (pray, study) God.

Outline from Teach the Text:

Psalms 1–72, Volume 1 Outline/Structure

1. Thanksgiving for God’s deliverance (34:1–7)

a. Praise and call to praise (34:1–3)

b. Personal history and the Lord’s protection (34:4–7)

2. Affirmation of God’s goodness (34:8–22)

a. A call to experience the Lord, with the assurance of God’s goodness (34:8–10)

b. Invitation to learn the “fear of the LORD” and the Lord’s attentive care of the righteous (34:11–20)

i. Learning the fear of the Lord (34:11–14)

ii. The Lord’s attentive care of the righteous (34:15–18)

iii. The Lord’s protection of the righteous (34:19–20)

c. Final contrast between evil’s power to slay the wicked and God’s will to deliver the righteous (34:21–22)