Psalm 34
Written by David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, causing the king to send him away.
1 I will praise the Lord at all times;
my mouth will continually praise him.
2 I will boast in the Lord;
let the oppressed hear and rejoice!
3 Magnify the Lord with me!
Let’s praise his name together!
4 I sought the Lord’s help and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help are happy;
their faces are not ashamed.
6 This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard;
he saved him from all his troubles.
7 The Lord’s angel camps around
the Lord’s loyal followers and delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good!
How blessed is the onewho takes shelter in him!
9 Remain loyal to the Lord, you chosen people of his,
for his loyal followers lack nothing!
10 Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come children! Listen to me!
I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord.
12 Do you want to really live?
Would you love to live a long, happy life?
13 Then make sure you don’t speak evil words
or use deceptive speech!
14 Turn away from evil and do what is right!
Strive for peace and promote it!
15 The Lord pays attention to the godly
and hears their cry for help.
16 But the Lord opposes evildoers
and wipes out all memory of them from the earth.
17 The godly cry out and the Lord hears;
he saves them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near the brokenhearted;
he delivers those who are discouraged.
19 The godly face many dangers,
but the Lord saves them from each one of them.
20 He protects all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Evil people self-destruct;
those who hate the godly are punished.
22 The Lord rescues his servants;
all who take shelter in him escape punishment.
PSALMS 34
Honor the [Lord]
1 t I will always praise the [Lord].
2 With all my heart,
I will praise the [Lord].
Let all who are helpless,
listen and be glad.
3 Honor the [Lord] with me!
Celebrate his great name.
4 I asked the [Lord] for help,
and he saved me
from all my fears.
5 Keep your eyes on the [Lord]!
You will shine like the sun
and never blush with shame.
6 I was a nobody, but I prayed,
and the [Lord] saved me
from all my troubles.
7 If you honor the [Lord],
his angel will protect you.
8 t Discover for yourself
that the [Lord] is kind.
Come to him for protection,
and you will be glad.
9 Honor the [Lord]!
You are his special people.
No one who honors the [Lord]
will ever be in need.
10 Young lionst may go hungry
or even starve,
but if you trust the [Lord],
you will never miss out
on anything good.
11 Come, my children, listen
as I teach you
to respect the [Lord].
12 t Do you want to live
and enjoy a long life?
13 Then don't say cruel things
and don't tell lies.
14 Do good instead of evil
and try to live at peace.
15 If you obey the [Lord],
he will watch over you
and answer your prayers.
16 But God despises evil people,
and he will wipe them all
from the earth,
till they are forgotten.
17 When his people pray for help,
he listens and rescues them
from their troubles.
18 The [Lord] is there to rescue
all
who are discouraged
and have given up hope.
19 The [Lord]'s people
may suffer a lot,
but he will always
bring them safely through.
20 t Not one of their bones
will ever be broken.
21 Wicked people are killed
by their own evil deeds,
and if you hate God's people
you will be punished.
22 The [Lord] saves the lives
of his servants.
Run to him for protection,
and you won't be punished.